Muskegon Community College vs. SMC

Comparable Facts

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

Muskegon Community College is larger than SMC based on total student enrollment (3,617 students vs. 2,000 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Muskegon Community College is located in Muskegon, MI (Small City setting); Southwestern Michigan College is in Dowagiac, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Muskegon 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: Muskegon Community College 18:1; Southwestern Michigan College 17:1.

Muskegon Community College vs. SMC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Muskegon 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 Muskegon Community College than SMC ($5,938 vs. $6,684).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Muskegon Community College are 50.3% lower than at Southwestern Michigan College ($5,382 vs. $10,825).
• Muskegon Community College is 52.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than SMC (about $4,106 more per year; $11,970.00 vs. $7,864.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 90.7% higher at Muskegon Community College than at Southwestern Michigan College (about $7,616 more per year; $16,010.00 vs. $8,394.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern Michigan College than at Muskegon Community College (94% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern Michigan College students is 42.1% larger than aid received by Muskegon Community College students ($8,166 vs. $5,747).

Muskegon Community College vs. SMC Admissions comparison

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

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

Muskegon Community College vs. SMC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Muskegon 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 Muskegon Community College earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than SMC graduates about ten years after starting college ($30,700 vs. $29,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Muskegon Community College graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than SMC graduates ($7,500 vs. $12,000).
• Among borrowers, Muskegon Community College graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SMC graduates ($77 vs. $124).
• More Muskegon 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.