Grand Rapids Community College vs. West Shore Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Grand Rapids Community College is larger than West Shore Community College based on total student enrollment (12,468 students vs. 1,120 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grand Rapids Community College is located in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting); West Shore Community College is in Scottville, MI (Distant Rural setting).
• Grand Rapids Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. West Shore Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grand Rapids Community College 19:1; West Shore Community College 12:1.

Grand Rapids Community College vs. West Shore Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grand Rapids Community College or West Shore 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 West Shore Community College than Grand Rapids Community College ($3,927 vs. $9,720).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Rapids Community College are 1.4% lower than at West Shore Community College ($9,227 vs. $9,360).
• Grand Rapids Community College is 29.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than West Shore Community College (about $1,869 more per year; $8,289.00 vs. $6,420.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.5% higher at Grand Rapids Community College than at West Shore Community College (about $3,399 more per year; $12,219.00 vs. $8,820.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at West Shore Community College than at Grand Rapids Community College (84% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by West Shore Community College students is 12.1% larger than aid received by Grand Rapids Community College students ($7,048 vs. $6,288).

Grand Rapids Community College vs. West Shore Community College Admissions comparison

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

Grand Rapids Community College vs. West Shore Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grand Rapids Community College and West Shore 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 $3,700 more per year than West Shore Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($33,700 vs. $30,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grand Rapids Community College graduates have a $401 lower median loan debt than West Shore Community College graduates ($9,208 vs. $9,609).
• Among borrowers, Grand Rapids Community College graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than West Shore Community College graduates ($95 vs. $99).
• More West Shore Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Grand Rapids Community College students, three years after graduation. (42% 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.