Grand Rapids Community College vs. NCMC

Comparable Facts

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

Grand Rapids Community College is larger than NCMC based on total student enrollment (12,468 students vs. 1,613 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grand Rapids Community College is located in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting); North Central Michigan College is in Petoskey, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Grand Rapids Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. North Central Michigan College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grand Rapids Community College 19:1; North Central Michigan College 15:1.

Grand Rapids Community College vs. NCMC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grand Rapids Community College or NCMC? 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 Grand Rapids Community College than NCMC ($9,720 vs. $11,807).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Rapids Community College are 10.4% lower than at North Central Michigan College ($9,227 vs. $10,303).
• North Central Michigan College is 2.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Grand Rapids Community College (about $201 more per year; $8,490.00 vs. $8,289.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.4% higher at Grand Rapids Community College than at North Central Michigan College (about $1,629 more per year; $12,219.00 vs. $10,590.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at North Central Michigan College than at Grand Rapids Community College (91% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Central Michigan College students is 29.4% larger than aid received by Grand Rapids Community College students ($8,139 vs. $6,288).

Grand Rapids Community College vs. NCMC Admissions comparison

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

Grand Rapids Community College vs. NCMC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grand Rapids Community College and NCMC? 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 $4,500 more per year than NCMC graduates about ten years after starting college ($33,700 vs. $29,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, North Central Michigan College graduates have a $282 lower median loan debt than Grand Rapids Community College graduates ($8,926 vs. $9,208).
• Among borrowers, NCMC graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Grand Rapids Community College graduates ($92 vs. $95).
• More NCMC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Grand Rapids Community College students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 34%)

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.