Grand Rapids Community College vs. SMC

Comparable Facts

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

Grand Rapids Community College is larger than SMC based on total student enrollment (12,468 students vs. 2,000 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grand Rapids Community College is located in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting); Southwestern Michigan College is in Dowagiac, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Grand Rapids Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Southwestern Michigan College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grand Rapids Community College 19:1; Southwestern Michigan College 17:1.

Grand Rapids Community College vs. SMC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grand Rapids Community College or SMC? 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 Southwestern Michigan College than Grand Rapids Community College ($6,684 vs. $9,720).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Rapids Community College are 14.8% lower than at Southwestern Michigan College ($9,227 vs. $10,825).
• Grand Rapids Community College is 5.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than SMC (about $425 more per year; $8,289.00 vs. $7,864.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.6% higher at Grand Rapids Community College than at Southwestern Michigan College (about $3,825 more per year; $12,219.00 vs. $8,394.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern Michigan College than at Grand Rapids Community College (94% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern Michigan College students is 29.9% larger than aid received by Grand Rapids Community College students ($8,166 vs. $6,288).

Grand Rapids Community College vs. SMC Admissions comparison

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

Grand Rapids Community College vs. SMC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grand Rapids Community College and SMC? 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 $4,100 more per year than SMC graduates about ten years after starting college ($33,700 vs. $29,600), 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 SMC 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 SMC graduates ($95 vs. $124).
• More Grand Rapids Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMC students, three years after graduation. (34% vs. 28%)

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.