Southwestern Michigan College
- Graduation Rate
- 32% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $37,303 C-
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $5,978 A
- 65% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 1,431
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 35.7× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $35.7 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $35.7 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $829,411.
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 32% — 44% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $35.7 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Southwestern Michigan College Matters
Southwestern Michigan College is a public community college in Dowagiac, 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
- 1,431
- Setting
- Rural
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Precision Production
Why students choose Southwestern Michigan 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 $5,978 a year after grants and scholarships — 65% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $37,303 ten years after enrolling — 9% below the typical college, against $10,959 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.0% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 77% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.15 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Southwestern Michigan College serves a diverse student body of around 1,431 individuals, making it an ideal choice for those seeking personalized attention in their studies. Students here typically dive into programs like Humanities, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, and Precision Production. The focus on practical skills and real-world applications stands out, helping students prepare for various career paths right after graduation.
Looking at life after graduation, students earn a median of $37,303 within ten years of completing their degree. This figure is encouraging, especially for those who are mindful of their financial future. The college's affordability is a significant advantage, with an average net price of just $5,978 after aid. Many students benefit from Pell Grants, with 38% receiving the support they need to make their education more accessible.
When it comes to practical concerns, the median debt load for graduates sits at $10,959, which is manageable for many. This financial landscape allows students to focus on their studies without overwhelming debt. Those who thrive here are often individuals looking for a supportive environment, a clear path to careers, and a commitment to community engagement.
Rankings
- #12 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Michigan
- #15 Most Affordable Colleges in Michigan
- #22 Best Education Colleges in Michigan
- #26 Best Computer Science Colleges in Michigan
- #26 Best Data Science Colleges in Michigan
- #32 Best Nursing Colleges in Michigan
- #36 Best Online Colleges in Michigan
- #38 Best Colleges in Michigan
Can I Get In?
How selective Southwestern Michigan 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 Southwestern Michigan College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Dowagiac, Michigan, Southwestern Michigan College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 32%.
- Retention Rate
- 57%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 32%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,880
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.50
- First-Gen Students
- 41%
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 Southwestern Michigan College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Southwestern Michigan College is $8,394, 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 $5,978. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $5,134 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $10,959 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $6,417
- Out-of-State
- $8,394
- Avg Net Price
- $5,978
- Median Debt
- $10,959
- Pell Grant Rate
- 38%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 16%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $5,134
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $4,151
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $7,414
- Family Income $110K+
- $11,413
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Southwestern Michigan College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Southwestern Michigan College report median earnings of $37,303, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $33,204
- 8 Years
- $35,881
- 10 Years
- $37,303
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.29x
- Earning > $25K
- 42%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (84)
- 21%
- 100% (84)
- 21%
- 100% (84)
- 21%
- 100% (84)
- 21%
How Southwestern 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 Southwestern Michigan College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Southwestern Michigan College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $5,978/year ($23,912 total). Graduates earn $37,303 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $853,323 in total earnings — a net gain of $829,411 (35.7× your investment). The median debt is $10,959, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 32% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $23,912
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $853,323
- Net Return
- $829,411
- ROI Multiple
- 35.7×
- Cost Per Year
- $5,978
- Median Debt
- $10,959
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 32%
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 Southwestern Michigan College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Southwestern Michigan 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 0.99%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 12.5% 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 7.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $65,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.99%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 7.9%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 12.5%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $65,300
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $802,920
- Investment Income
- $-645,751
Top Programs
The fields Southwestern Michigan 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 25%
- Health Professions 17%
- Business & Marketing 11%
- Precision Production 7%
- Mechanic & Repair Tech 6%
- Education 6%
- Criminal Justice 5%
- Visual & Performing Arts 3%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Southwestern Michigan 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
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CAerospace Engineer$130,720 · 6% growthResilient 72
- B+Nurse Practitioner$129,480 · 40% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Southwestern Michigan College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Dowagiac, Michigan, Southwestern Michigan College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 32%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Southwestern Michigan College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Southwestern Michigan College is $8,394, 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 $5,978. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $5,134 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $10,959 in federal student loans.
Is Southwestern Michigan College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Southwestern Michigan College report median earnings of $37,303, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Southwestern Michigan College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Southwestern Michigan 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 0.99%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 12.5% 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 7.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $65,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Southwestern Michigan 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 Southwestern Michigan College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.15, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Southwestern Michigan College.
- Howard CollegeBig Spring, TX · Close peer35% grad $38,382 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Greenfield Community CollegeGreenfield, MA · Close peer26% grad $37,132 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- South Piedmont Community CollegePolkton, NC · Close peer37% grad $37,308 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Danville Area Community CollegeDanville, IL · Close peer41% grad $34,867 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Chesapeake CollegeWye Mills, MD · Close peer27% grad $36,301 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Monroe County Community CollegeMonroe, MI · Close peer33% grad $41,646 earnWhy: similar grad rate · similar size · same state
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Southwestern Michigan 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 Southwestern Michigan College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.15, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note