SMC vs. Washtenaw Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Washtenaw Community College is larger than SMC based on total student enrollment (11,133 students vs. 2,000 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southwestern Michigan College is located in Dowagiac, MI (Rural Fringe setting); Washtenaw Community College is in Ann Arbor, MI (Large Suburban setting).
• Southwestern Michigan College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Washtenaw Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southwestern Michigan College 17:1; Washtenaw Community College 19:1.

SMC vs. Washtenaw Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SMC or Washtenaw 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 Washtenaw Community College than SMC ($3,528 vs. $6,684).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern Michigan College are 27.1% lower than at Washtenaw Community College ($10,825 vs. $14,848).
• Southwestern Michigan College is 67.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Washtenaw Community College (about $3,160 more per year; $7,864.00 vs. $4,704.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.1% higher at SMC than at Washtenaw Community College (about $1,890 more per year; $8,394.00 vs. $6,504.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern Michigan College than at Washtenaw Community College (94% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern Michigan College students is 19.2% larger than aid received by Washtenaw Community College students ($8,166 vs. $6,848).

SMC vs. Washtenaw Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SMC or Washtenaw 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 Washtenaw Community College and SMC.

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

SMC vs. Washtenaw Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SMC and Washtenaw 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 Washtenaw Community College earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than SMC graduates about ten years after starting college ($32,800 vs. $29,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Washtenaw Community College graduates have a $2,250 lower median loan debt than SMC graduates ($9,750 vs. $12,000).
• Among borrowers, Washtenaw Community College graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SMC graduates ($100 vs. $124).
• More Washtenaw Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMC students, three years after graduation. (31% 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.