Kalamazoo Valley Community College
#3 Most Affordable Colleges in Michigan- Graduation Rate
- 25% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $38,618 C-
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $2,979 A+
- 83% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 4,997
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 76.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $76.5 over 20 years. Ranked #3 in Most Affordable Colleges in Michigan.
Every $1 spent returns $76.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $900,211.
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 25% — 56% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $76.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Kalamazoo Valley Community College Matters
Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a public community college in Kalamazoo, MI and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by an above-average alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
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
- 4,997
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT
Why students choose Kalamazoo Valley Community 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 $2,979 a year after grants and scholarships — 83% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $38,618 ten years after enrolling — 5% below the typical college, against $9,699 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.8% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 90% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.10 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a great fit for students looking to dive into fields like Humanities, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, or Mechanic & Repair Tech. With nearly 5,000 students enrolled, there's a sense of community that helps many feel connected as they navigate their educational journey. The college's focus on practical skills and career readiness is evident in its diverse program offerings, allowing students to tailor their education to fit their goals.
When it comes to life after graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $38,618 within ten years of completing their studies. This figure paints a promising picture of the value of a degree from Kalamazoo Valley, especially when you consider that the cost of attending is quite manageable. With a net price of just $2,979 after financial aid, students have the potential for a solid return on their investment, particularly given that 28% of them receive Pell Grants to help lighten the financial load.
On the practical side, the average debt for graduates stands at $9,699, which is relatively low compared to many other institutions. This affordability allows students to focus on their studies without the heavy burden of debt. Those who thrive here tend to be proactive, seeking out opportunities in their chosen fields, and they often benefit from the college's emphasis on hands-on learning and real-world application.
Rankings
- #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Michigan
- #19 Most Affordable Online Public Universities
- #27 Best Computer Science Colleges in Michigan
- #27 Best Data Science Colleges in Michigan
- #30 Most Affordable Online Colleges
- #33 Best Nursing Colleges in Michigan
- #35 Best Online Colleges in Michigan
- #37 Best Colleges in Michigan
Can I Get In?
How selective Kalamazoo Valley Community 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 Kalamazoo Valley Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Kalamazoo Valley Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 25%.
- Retention Rate
- 64%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 24%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $11,727
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.59
- First-Gen Students
- 38%
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 Kalamazoo Valley Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Kalamazoo Valley Community College is $9,094, 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 $2,979. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $1,290 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $9,699 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $4,144
- Out-of-State
- $9,094
- Avg Net Price
- $2,979
- Median Debt
- $9,699
- Pell Grant Rate
- 28%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 17%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $1,290
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $1,859
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $4,119
- Family Income $110K+
- $8,353
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Kalamazoo Valley Community College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Kalamazoo Valley Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Kalamazoo Valley Community College report median earnings of $38,618, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $33,553
- 8 Years
- $35,370
- 10 Years
- $38,618
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.25x
- Earning > $25K
- 49%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (69)
- 9%
- 100% (69)
- 9%
- 100% (69)
- 9%
- 100% (69)
- 9%
How Kalamazoo 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 Kalamazoo Valley Community College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Kalamazoo Valley Community College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $2,979/year ($11,916 total). Graduates earn $38,618 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $912,127 in total earnings — a net gain of $900,211 (76.5× your investment). The median debt is $9,699, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 25% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $11,916
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $912,127
- Net Return
- $900,211
- ROI Multiple
- 76.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $2,979
- Median Debt
- $9,699
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 25%
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 Kalamazoo Valley Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Kalamazoo Valley Community 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 0.75%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 9.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $79,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.75%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 8.0%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 9.5%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $108,149
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $1,387,050
- Investment Income
- $224,857
Top Programs
The fields Kalamazoo Valley Community College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Humanities 41%
- Health Professions 18% $60,998 early-career
- Business & Marketing 8% $39,756 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 4%
- Culinary & Personal Services 3% $30,345 early-career
- Precision Production 3%
- Engineering 2%
- Mechanic & Repair Tech 2% $39,544 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Kalamazoo Valley Community 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 Kalamazoo Valley Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Kalamazoo Valley Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 25%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Kalamazoo Valley Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Kalamazoo Valley Community College is $9,094, 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 $2,979. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $1,290 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $9,699 in federal student loans.
Is Kalamazoo Valley Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Kalamazoo Valley Community College report median earnings of $38,618, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Kalamazoo Valley Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Kalamazoo Valley Community 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 0.75%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 9.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $79,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Kalamazoo Valley Community College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.10, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.09). Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Kalamazoo Valley Community College.
- Yuba CollegeMarysville, CA · Close peer36% grad $39,552 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size
- Rock Valley CollegeRockford, IL · Close peer38% grad $39,158 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size
- CUNY Hostos Community CollegeBronx, NY · Close peer17% grad $40,485 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- New Mexico State University-Dona AnaLas Cruces, NM · Close peer17% grad $39,067 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Texas Southmost CollegeBrownsville, TX · Close peer28% grad $41,900 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Delta CollegeUniversity Center, MI · Close peer21% grad $37,781 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Kalamazoo Valley Community College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.10, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.09). Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note