Delta College vs. SMC

Comparable Facts

Compare Delta College in University Center, MI with Southwestern Michigan College in Dowagiac, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Delta College is larger than SMC based on total student enrollment (8,397 students vs. 2,000 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Delta College is located in University Center, MI (Rural Fringe setting); Southwestern Michigan College is in Dowagiac, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Delta College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Southwestern Michigan College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Delta College 16:1; Southwestern Michigan College 17:1.

Delta College vs. SMC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Delta College or SMC? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Delta College than SMC ($5,610 vs. $6,684).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Delta College are 29.6% lower than at Southwestern Michigan College ($7,616 vs. $10,825).
• Southwestern Michigan College is 4.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Delta College (about $314 more per year; $7,864.00 vs. $7,550.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.5% higher at SMC than at Delta College (about $514 more per year; $8,394.00 vs. $7,880.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern Michigan College than at Delta College (94% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern Michigan College students is 10.7% larger than aid received by Delta College students ($8,166 vs. $7,374).

Delta College vs. SMC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Delta College or SMC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SMC and Delta College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Delta College - Open admission; SMC - Open admission.

Delta College vs. SMC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Delta College and SMC? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Delta College earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than SMC graduates about ten years after starting college ($33,200 vs. $29,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Delta College graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than SMC graduates ($9,000 vs. $12,000).
• Among borrowers, Delta College graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SMC graduates ($93 vs. $124).
• More Delta College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMC students, three years after graduation. (36% vs. 28%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.