Grand Rapids Community College vs. Monroe County Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Grand Rapids Community College is larger than Monroe County Community College based on total student enrollment (12,468 students vs. 2,210 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grand Rapids Community College is located in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting); Monroe County Community College is in Monroe, MI (Small Suburban setting).
• Grand Rapids Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Monroe County Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grand Rapids Community College 19:1; Monroe County Community College 15:1.

Grand Rapids Community College vs. Monroe County Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grand Rapids Community College or Monroe County 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 Monroe County Community College than Grand Rapids Community College ($4,825 vs. $9,720).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Monroe County Community College are 17.7% lower than at Grand Rapids Community College ($7,596 vs. $9,227).
• Grand Rapids Community College is 10.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Monroe County Community College (about $778 more per year; $8,289.00 vs. $7,511.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.8% higher at Grand Rapids Community College than at Monroe County Community College (about $3,952 more per year; $12,219.00 vs. $8,267.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Monroe County Community College than at Grand Rapids Community College (70% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grand Rapids Community College students is 18.1% larger than aid received by Monroe County Community College students ($6,288 vs. $5,324).

Grand Rapids Community College vs. Monroe County Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Grand Rapids Community College or Monroe County 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 Monroe County 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; Monroe County Community College - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Grand Rapids Community College students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.0) than students at Monroe County Community College (2.5).

Grand Rapids Community College vs. Monroe County Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grand Rapids Community College and Monroe County 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 Monroe County Community College earn a median of about $700 more per year than Grand Rapids Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,400 vs. $33,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grand Rapids Community College graduates have a $2,105 lower median loan debt than Monroe County Community College graduates ($9,208 vs. $11,313).
• Among borrowers, Grand Rapids Community College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Monroe County Community College graduates ($95 vs. $116).
• More Grand Rapids Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Monroe County Community College students, three years after graduation. (34% vs. 33%)

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.