Grand Rapids Community College vs. Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Grand Rapids Community College is larger than Kalamazoo Valley Community College based on total student enrollment (12,468 students vs. 6,334 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grand Rapids Community College is located in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting); Kalamazoo Valley Community College is in Kalamazoo, MI (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Grand Rapids Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grand Rapids Community College 19:1; Kalamazoo Valley Community College 14:1.

Grand Rapids Community College vs. Kalamazoo Valley Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grand Rapids Community College or Kalamazoo Valley Community 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 Kalamazoo Valley Community College than Grand Rapids Community College ($4,436 vs. $9,720).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kalamazoo Valley Community College are 18.1% lower than at Grand Rapids Community College ($7,558 vs. $9,227).
• Grand Rapids Community College is 20.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kalamazoo Valley Community College (about $1,385 more per year; $8,289.00 vs. $6,904.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.4% higher at Grand Rapids Community College than at Kalamazoo Valley Community College (about $3,125 more per year; $12,219.00 vs. $9,094.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kalamazoo Valley Community College than at Grand Rapids Community College (73% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kalamazoo Valley Community College students is 4.3% larger than aid received by Grand Rapids Community College students ($6,558 vs. $6,288).

Grand Rapids Community College vs. Kalamazoo Valley Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Grand Rapids Community College or Kalamazoo Valley Community 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 Kalamazoo Valley Community 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; Kalamazoo Valley Community College - Open admission.

Grand Rapids Community College vs. Kalamazoo Valley Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grand Rapids Community College and Kalamazoo Valley Community 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 $300 more per year than Kalamazoo Valley Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($33,700 vs. $33,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grand Rapids Community College graduates have a $2,792 lower median loan debt than Kalamazoo Valley Community College graduates ($9,208 vs. $12,000).
• Among borrowers, Grand Rapids Community College graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kalamazoo Valley Community College graduates ($95 vs. $124).
• More Grand Rapids Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kalamazoo Valley Community College students, three years after graduation. (34% vs. 29%)

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.