Southwestern Michigan College campus

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SMC Demographics & Diversity

  • 2 Year
  • Dowagiac, MI
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Racial Demographics & Diversity

Racial Diversity

Racial Diversity

Low

Racial Diversity Index: 43%

Racial diversity is the chance that two students chosen at random are from different racial or ethnic groups, using the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index. Students at SMC are mostly White with a smaller Black population. The school has low racial diversity. 28% percent of students are minorities or people of color (BIPOC). The ethnic breakdown is detailed in the following table.

Racial demographics of Southwestern Michigan College students
Race Percent of Students
White
72%
Black
12%
Hispanic
6%
Asian
1%
American Indian / Alaskan
1%
Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0%
Two or more races
5%
International
0%
Race Unknown
3%

Gender Demographics & Diversity

Gender Diversity

Gender Diversity

Very High

Gender Diversity Index: 47%

There are 59% more female students than male students enrolled at Southwestern Michigan College with a gender ratio of 61% women to 39% men. Compared to the US average of 56% female students, SMC has a higher gender diversity than other US colleges and is very inclusive of both genders.

Male to female gender ratio for Southwestern Michigan College students
Gender Percent of Students
Men
39%
Women
61%
Enrollment by gender for Southwestern Michigan College students
Gender Number of Students
Men
772
Women
1,228

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Extremely Low

Geographic Diversity Index: 14%

SMC draws 85 percent of students from Michigan, 14 percent from other states, and 0 percent from other countries. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside Michigan, including other U.S. states and other countries.

Enrollment by geographic location for Southwestern Michigan College students
Origin Percent of Students
In State
85%
Out of State
14%
Foreign
0%
Unknown Location
1%

Economic Diversity

Median Household Income

Median Household Income

$53,289 per year

59% of students can be considered low-income as indicated by their receipt of Federal Pell Grant Aid.

Total Enrollment

Total Enrollment

Total enrollment

2,000
Share of undergraduates by age and part-time status
Segment Percent of Students
Students Over 25 Years Old 20.2%
Part-time undergraduates 43.4%

Other Colleges to Consider

Students applying to Southwestern Michigan College often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=172307.

Racial and gender diversity ratings use the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index (Gini-Simpson): the probability that two students chosen at random belong to different groups. See the Census method note, Measuring Racial and Ethnic Diversity for the 2020 Census. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside the college's home state (other U.S. states plus international). IPEDS does not publish enrollment by individual state of residence.

Last updated: August 2026