Delta College
#7 Most Affordable Colleges in Michigan- Graduation Rate
- 21% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $37,781 C-
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $4,547 A
- 73% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 6,573
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 51.6× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $51.6 over 20 years. Ranked #7 in Most Affordable Colleges in Michigan.
Every $1 spent returns $51.6 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $920,668.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 21% — 64% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $51.6 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About Delta College
Delta College is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Community College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 6,573
- Setting
- Rural
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Precision Production
Why students choose Delta College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $4,547 a year after grants and scholarships — 73% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $37,781 ten years after enrolling — 7% below the typical college, against $10,978 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.1% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 72% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.00 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Delta College serves around 6,573 students, making it an approachable choice for those looking for a community college experience that emphasizes personal attention. It stands out for its diverse offerings, especially in fields like Humanities, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Precision Production, and Criminal Justice. For students who thrive in a smaller environment or are exploring different career paths, this college can be an excellent fit.
When it comes to life after graduation, the numbers paint a promising picture. Graduates earn an average of $37,781 ten years after completing their studies. This earning potential, paired with an affordable net price of $4,547 after aid, makes Delta College a viable option for many. While the graduation rate sits at 21%, students who persist can find solid opportunities in their chosen fields, particularly in health and business sectors.
On the financial side, students typically graduate with a median debt of $10,978. This manageable debt level, combined with the affordability of tuition, allows graduates to focus on building their careers rather than being weighed down by financial burdens. Those who tend to thrive here often appreciate a hands-on learning environment and are motivated to pursue their interests in practical fields.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Delta College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Delta College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Delta College, located in University Center, Michigan, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 21%.
- Retention Rate
- 62%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,038
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.47
- First-Gen Students
- 42%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Delta College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Delta College is $7,880, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $4,547. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $2,819 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $10,978 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $4,820
- Out-of-State
- $7,880
- Avg Net Price
- $4,547
- Median Debt
- $10,978
- Pell Grant Rate
- 38%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 11%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $2,819
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $2,237
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $5,500
- Family Income $110K+
- $11,755
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Delta College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Delta College report median earnings of $37,781, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $31,651
- 8 Years
- $34,813
- 10 Years
- $37,781
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.29x
- Earning > $25K
- 46%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (74)
- 8%
- 100% (74)
- 8%
- 100% (74)
- 8%
- 100% (74)
- 8%
How Delta Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Delta College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Delta College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $4,547/year ($18,188 total). Graduates earn $37,781 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $938,856 in total earnings — a net gain of $920,668 (51.6× your investment). The median debt is $10,978, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 21% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $18,188
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $938,856
- Net Return
- $920,668
- ROI Multiple
- 51.6×
- Cost Per Year
- $4,547
- Median Debt
- $10,978
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 21%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Delta College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Delta College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.07%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 11.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 9.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $75,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.07%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 9.3%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 11.5%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $75,800
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $3,716,438
- Investment Income
- $-5,991,887
Top Programs
The fields Delta College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Humanities 40%
- Health Professions 19%
- Business & Marketing 9%
- Precision Production 7%
- Criminal Justice 5%
- Mechanic & Repair Tech 4%
- Construction Trades 3%
- Computer Science & IT 3%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Delta College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Delta College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Delta College, located in University Center, Michigan, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 21%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Delta College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Delta College is $7,880, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $4,547. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $2,819 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $10,978 in federal student loans.
Is Delta College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Delta College report median earnings of $37,781, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Delta College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Delta College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.07%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 11.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 9.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $75,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Delta College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs around the national average at Delta College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.00, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.05). Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Delta College.
- Midlands Technical CollegeWest Columbia, SC · Close peer17% grad $38,701 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Pellissippi State Community CollegeKnoxville, TN · Close peer30% grad $38,440 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Bristol Community CollegeFall River, MA · Close peer22% grad $38,663 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Essex County CollegeNewark, NJ · Close peer20% grad $37,230 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Metropolitan Community College AreaOmaha, NE · Close peer27% grad $38,773 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Chattanooga State Community CollegeChattanooga, TN · Close peer24% grad $37,598 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Delta College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs around the national average at Delta College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.00, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.05). Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note