Grand Rapids Community College vs. NMC

Comparable Facts

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

Grand Rapids Community College is larger than NMC based on total student enrollment (12,468 students vs. 3,253 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grand Rapids Community College is located in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting); Northwestern Michigan College is in Traverse City, MI (Remote Town setting).
• Grand Rapids Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Northwestern Michigan College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grand Rapids Community College 19:1; Northwestern Michigan College 13:1.

Grand Rapids Community College vs. NMC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grand Rapids Community College or NMC? 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 Northwestern Michigan College than Grand Rapids Community College ($7,427 vs. $9,720).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Rapids Community College are 13% lower than at Northwestern Michigan College ($9,227 vs. $10,600).
• Northwestern Michigan College is 29.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Grand Rapids Community College (about $2,433 more per year; $10,722.00 vs. $8,289.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.3% higher at NMC than at Grand Rapids Community College (about $1,257 more per year; $13,476.00 vs. $12,219.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern Michigan College than at Grand Rapids Community College (84% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern Michigan College students is 26% larger than aid received by Grand Rapids Community College students ($7,926 vs. $6,288).

Grand Rapids Community College vs. NMC Admissions comparison

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

Grand Rapids Community College vs. NMC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grand Rapids Community College and NMC? 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 $200 more per year than NMC graduates about ten years after starting college ($33,700 vs. $33,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grand Rapids Community College graduates have a $4,798 lower median loan debt than NMC graduates ($9,208 vs. $14,006).
• Among borrowers, Grand Rapids Community College graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NMC graduates ($95 vs. $144).
• More NMC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Grand Rapids Community College students, three years after graduation. (41% 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.