Grand Rapids Community College vs. Jackson College

Comparable Facts

Compare Grand Rapids Community College in Grand Rapids, MI with Jackson College in Jackson, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Grand Rapids Community College is larger than Jackson College based on total student enrollment (12,468 students vs. 5,086 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grand Rapids Community College is located in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting); Jackson College is in Jackson, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Grand Rapids Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Jackson College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grand Rapids Community College 19:1; Jackson College 18:1.

Grand Rapids Community College vs. Jackson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grand Rapids Community College or Jackson College? 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 Jackson College than Grand Rapids Community College ($8,271 vs. $9,720).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Rapids Community College are 19.8% lower than at Jackson College ($9,227 vs. $11,510).
• Jackson College is 0.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Grand Rapids Community College (about $21 more per year; $8,310.00 vs. $8,289.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.8% higher at Grand Rapids Community College than at Jackson College (about $2,019 more per year; $12,219.00 vs. $10,200.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Jackson College than at Grand Rapids Community College (88% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Jackson College students is 62% larger than aid received by Grand Rapids Community College students ($10,185 vs. $6,288).

Grand Rapids Community College vs. Jackson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Grand Rapids Community College or Jackson College? 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 Jackson College and Grand Rapids Community College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Grand Rapids Community College - Open admission; Jackson College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Jackson College Jul 1, 2027.

Grand Rapids Community College vs. Jackson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grand Rapids Community College and Jackson College? 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 Grand Rapids Community College earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than Jackson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($33,700 vs. $32,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More Grand Rapids Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Jackson College students, three years after graduation. (34% vs. 30%)

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.