Muskegon Community College
#5 Best Nursing Colleges in Michigan- Graduation Rate
- 30% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $36,549 C-
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $4,005 A
- 77% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 2,760
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 54.1× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $54.1 over 20 years. Ranked #5 in Best Nursing Colleges in Michigan.
Every $1 spent returns $54.1 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $850,689.
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 30% — 48% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $54.1 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Muskegon Community College Matters
Muskegon Community College is a public community college in Muskegon, MI and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity 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
- 2,760
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Education
Why students choose Muskegon 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 $4,005 a year after grants and scholarships — 77% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $36,549 ten years after enrolling — 10% below the typical college, against $9,125 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 (1.16 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With around 2,760 students, Muskegon Community College is a solid choice for those looking to dive into practical fields like Humanities, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Education, and Computer Science & IT. This school appeals to individuals who appreciate a close-knit community environment where they can balance their studies with life’s other responsibilities. The focus here is on preparing students for real-world challenges, and the supportive atmosphere helps facilitate that.
When we look at what graduates achieve, the median earnings after ten years stand at $36,549. This number gives a glimpse into the long-term financial prospects for students who complete their programs. In terms of affordability, the average net price after aid is just $4,005, making it accessible for many. Graduates from Muskegon Community College tend to find a path forward, and while the graduation rate is 30%, those who do finish their degrees often see the benefits in their earning potential.
The practicalities of attending Muskegon Community College are encouraging. With a median debt of $9,125, students are less likely to be overwhelmed by financial burdens after graduation. The relatively low costs combined with a supportive educational environment tend to attract those who are motivated to improve their circumstances. Students who thrive here are often those who appreciate a hands-on approach to learning and are eager to enter the workforce equipped with relevant skills.
Rankings
- #5 Best Nursing Colleges in Michigan
- #6 Most Affordable Colleges in Michigan
- #16 Best Online Colleges in Michigan
- #16 Best Education Colleges in Michigan
- #18 Best Community Colleges for Nursing
- #18 Best Computer Science Colleges in Michigan
- #18 Best Data Science Colleges in Michigan
- #19 Best Colleges in Michigan
Can I Get In?
How selective Muskegon 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 Muskegon Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Muskegon, Michigan, Muskegon Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 30%.
- Retention Rate
- 69%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $12,073
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- 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 Muskegon Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Muskegon Community College is $16,010, 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 $4,005. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $3,708 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $9,125 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $7,250
- Out-of-State
- $16,010
- Avg Net Price
- $4,005
- Median Debt
- $9,125
- Pell Grant Rate
- 29%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 6%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $3,708
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $1,441
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $5,178
- Family Income $110K+
- $9,933
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Muskegon Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Muskegon Community College report median earnings of $36,549, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $31,662
- 8 Years
- $34,451
- 10 Years
- $36,549
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.25x
- Earning > $25K
- 46%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (67)
- 13%
- 100% (67)
- 13%
- 100% (67)
- 13%
- 100% (67)
- 13%
How Muskegon 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 Muskegon Community College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Muskegon Community College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $4,005/year ($16,020 total). Graduates earn $36,549 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $866,709 in total earnings — a net gain of $850,689 (54.1× your investment). The median debt is $9,125, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 30% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $16,020
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $866,709
- Net Return
- $850,689
- ROI Multiple
- 54.1×
- Cost Per Year
- $4,005
- Median Debt
- $9,125
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 30%
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 Muskegon Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Muskegon 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 0.76%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 8.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 8.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $73,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.76%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 8.6%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 8.8%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $73,400
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $1,216,917
- Federal Grants
- $461,237
- Investment Income
- $15,679
Top Programs
The fields Muskegon Community 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 37%
- Health Professions 29%
- Business & Marketing 9%
- Education 5%
- Computer Science & IT 3%
- Visual & Performing Arts 3%
- Precision Production 2%
- Psychology 2%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Muskegon 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
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Software Developer$132,270 · 25% growthVulnerable 40
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Muskegon Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Muskegon, Michigan, Muskegon Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 30%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Muskegon Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Muskegon Community College is $16,010, 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 $4,005. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $3,708 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $9,125 in federal student loans.
Is Muskegon Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Muskegon Community College report median earnings of $36,549, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Muskegon Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Muskegon 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 0.76%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 8.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 8.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $73,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Muskegon Community College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Muskegon Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.16, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Muskegon Community College.
- Kellogg Community CollegeBattle Creek, MI · Close peer28% grad $38,329 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Dyersburg State Community CollegeDyersburg, TN · Close peer31% grad $36,132 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Westmoreland County Community CollegeYoungwood, PA · Close peer28% grad $37,439 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- BridgeValley Community & Technical CollegeSouth Charleston, WV · Close peer30% grad $36,432 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Lakeland Community CollegeKirtland, OH · Close peer23% grad $39,612 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Roane State Community CollegeHarriman, TN · Close peer34% grad $39,407 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Muskegon Community College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Muskegon Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.16, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note