At $11,153/yr net price, Grand Rapids Community College graduates earn $38,377/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $4,377/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $11,153 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $44,612 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $38,377/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$4,377/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 10.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 18.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,228/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,706/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,201/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $14,418/yr |
| $110,001+ | $15,347/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $54,732 | $14,277 |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications. | Associate | $53,358 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Certificate | $53,358 | $9,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $41,025 | |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $39,369 | $14,957 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR). | Certificate | $38,289 | |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $37,671 | $9,407 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Associate | $36,674 | $9,000 |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services. | Associate | $36,042 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $33,779 | $14,500 |
The Risk Factor
18.5% of students at Grand Rapids Community College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Grand Rapids Community College gives you a low-cost entry point with a serious completion problem. Your median debt at graduation is $9,000, which is manageable, and the median net price sits near the low end for a two-year public school. The catch is the 18.5% graduation rate. Most people who enroll do not finish, and if you leave without a credential you carry the cost without the earnings bump.
What you study here decides everything. The nursing associate degree leads the pack in earnings and clears well above the school-wide median. Computer systems networking lands close behind and carries no listed debt, making it one of the cleanest payoffs on this list. Criminal justice pays similarly but is only a certificate, so weigh that against the shorter time and lower commitment. Dental support and allied health diagnostic programs pay less while dental support carries the highest debt load of any program here, close to $15,000. If you enroll in dental support, you are paying more to earn less than the nursing or networking tracks.
The main financial risk is not price, it is not finishing. Every dollar you spend before dropping out returns nothing. Pick a program with a clear job at the end and treat completion as the goal.
Net price barely moves across income levels here, so lower-income families do not get a steep discount. If your family earns under $30k, you pay only a few thousand less than a family over $110k. This school fits you if you want a specific health or technical credential, live in the Grand Rapids area, and can commit to finishing. If you are unsure of your major or unlikely to complete, the low sticker price will not protect you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grand Rapids Community College worth the money?
Grand Rapids Community College offers solid value for specific career programs, particularly nursing and IT, where graduates earn $50,000+ annually. However, the 18.5% graduation rate is concerning and means most students don't finish their programs.
What programs at Grand Rapids Community College have the best job prospects?
Registered Nursing ($54,732), Computer Systems Networking ($53,358), and Criminal Justice ($53,358) offer the strongest earning potential at Grand Rapids Community College. These programs significantly outperform the school's overall graduate median income of $38,377.
How much student debt do Grand Rapids Community College graduates typically have?
Grand Rapids Community College graduates carry a median debt of $9,000, which is relatively manageable for a two-year degree. The low debt load helps offset concerns about the school's below-average earnings outcomes for many programs.
Does Grand Rapids Community College provide good return on investment compared to other schools?
Grand Rapids Community College's ROI varies dramatically by program. Nursing and tech graduates see strong returns, but the overall graduate earnings of $38,377 and low completion rate make it a risky investment unless you're targeting high-paying career tracks.