Macomb Community College vs. SMC

Comparable Facts

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

Macomb Community College is larger than SMC based on total student enrollment (16,300 students vs. 2,000 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Macomb Community College is located in Warren, MI (Midsize City setting); Southwestern Michigan College is in Dowagiac, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Macomb 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: Macomb Community College 24:1; Southwestern Michigan College 17:1.

Macomb Community College vs. SMC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Macomb 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 Macomb Community College than SMC ($2,350 vs. $6,684).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern Michigan College are 16% lower than at Macomb Community College ($10,825 vs. $12,888).
• Southwestern Michigan College is 18.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Macomb Community College (about $1,234 more per year; $7,864.00 vs. $6,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.3% higher at SMC than at Macomb Community College (about $24 more per year; $8,394.00 vs. $8,370.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern Michigan College than at Macomb Community College (94% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Macomb Community College students is 15.4% larger than aid received by Southwestern Michigan College students ($9,424 vs. $8,166).

Macomb Community College vs. SMC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Macomb 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 Macomb Community College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Macomb Community College - Open admission; SMC - Open admission.

Macomb Community College vs. SMC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Macomb 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 Macomb Community College earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than SMC graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,600 vs. $29,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Macomb Community College graduates have a $7,210 lower median loan debt than SMC graduates ($4,790 vs. $12,000).
• Among borrowers, Macomb Community College graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SMC graduates ($49 vs. $124).
• More Macomb Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMC students, three years after graduation. (50% 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.