Jackson College vs. SMC

Comparable Facts

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

Jackson College is larger than SMC based on total student enrollment (5,086 students vs. 2,000 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Jackson College is located in Jackson, MI (Rural Fringe setting); Southwestern Michigan College is in Dowagiac, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Jackson College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Southwestern Michigan College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Jackson College 18:1; Southwestern Michigan College 17:1.

Jackson College vs. SMC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Jackson 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 Jackson College ($6,684 vs. $8,271).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern Michigan College are 6% lower than at Jackson College ($10,825 vs. $11,510).
• Jackson College is 5.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than SMC (about $446 more per year; $8,310.00 vs. $7,864.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.5% higher at Jackson College than at Southwestern Michigan College (about $1,806 more per year; $10,200.00 vs. $8,394.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern Michigan College than at Jackson College (94% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Jackson College students is 24.7% larger than aid received by Southwestern Michigan College students ($10,185 vs. $8,166).

Jackson College vs. SMC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Jackson 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 Jackson College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Jackson College - Open admission; SMC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Jackson College Jul 1, 2027.

Jackson College vs. SMC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Jackson 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 Jackson College earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than SMC graduates about ten years after starting college ($32,300 vs. $29,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More Jackson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMC students, three years after graduation. (30% 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.