Southwestern College vs Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC)
Southwestern Michigan College (SMC) and Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) stand out as two prominent community colleges in Michigan, each offering unique educational opportunities. SMC boasts an acceptance rate of 100%, welcoming all students with open arms, while GRCC's acceptance rate stands at 99%, ensuring a welcoming environment for aspiring learners. Both institutions offer a diverse range of programs, with SMC specializing in healthcare, business, and manufacturing, and GRCC excelling in health sciences, business, and engineering. While SMC's student body comprises 53% female and 47% male students, GRCC's student population is slightly more balanced, with 51% female and 49% male students. With graduation rates of 22% and 25% respectively, both colleges are committed to supporting students in achieving their academic goals. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details and discover which institution aligns best with your educational aspirations and
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![]() Grand Rapids Community College |
![]() Southwestern Michigan College |
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Overview |
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Location | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Dowagiac, Michigan |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | Rural: Fringe |
College type | 2 year | 2 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate |
Students retention rate | 57.0% | 50.0% |
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No | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | Open Admission | Open Admission |
Application fees | ||
SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | N/A | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | ||
Total number of applicants | ||
Total number of admissions given out | ||
Admitted students who chose to enroll | ||
Yield rate | ||
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | Not required | Not required |
High school GPA | N/A | N/A |
Recommendation letters | N/A | N/A |
High school transcript | N/A | N/A |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | N/A | N/A |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$21,121
Out of state:
$24,841
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In state:
$17,512
Out of state:
$17,964
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Average net price | $9,168 | $9,153 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,410
Out of state:
$11,130
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In state:
$5,112
Out of state:
$5,564
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Room & board | ||
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
54.0%
Average amount $5,801 |
84.0%
Average amount $5,429 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
16.0%
Average amount $3,541 |
26.0%
Average amount $4,207 |
Students taking out private loans |
1.0%
Average amount $8,106 |
1.0%
Average amount $12,362 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
12,642
Men 42.3% Women 57.7% |
1,756
Men 37.4% Women 62.6% |
Graduate students | N/A | N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 12.6% |
International students | N/A | 0.1% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | Rural: Fringe |
Dormitory capacity | N/A | 381 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | N/A | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Michigan Indiana Illinois Ohio Wisconsin |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 18:1 | 14:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 19.7% | 28.6% |
Dropout rate | 36.2% | 44.2% |
Transferred out | 19.4% | 21.5% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Associate's Degrees)
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions (Associate's Degrees)
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Associate's Degrees)
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Associate's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Associate's Degrees)
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies (Associate's Degrees)
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Associate's Degrees)
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