Washtenaw Community College
#4 Most Affordable Colleges in Michigan- Graduation Rate
- 31% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $39,449 C
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $3,249 A+
- 81% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 7,816
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 73.1× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $73.1 over 20 years. Ranked #4 in Most Affordable Colleges in Michigan.
Every $1 spent returns $73.1 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $936,752.
What The Data Says
-
A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Graduation of 31% — 45% below the national average.
-
Every $1 invested returns $73.1 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.2%
- Top 81%
- Patents
- 27
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 59
- Downstream influence
Why Washtenaw Community College Matters
Washtenaw Community College is a public college in Ann Arbor, 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 College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 7,816
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Mechanic & Repair Tech
Why students choose Washtenaw 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 $3,249 a year after grants and scholarships — 81% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $39,449 ten years after enrolling — 3% below the typical college, against $13,310 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.9% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 82% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.28 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of about 7,816 students, Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is a fitting choice for those looking for a more affordable pathway into higher education. This school caters to a diverse range of interests, with popular programs in fields like Humanities, Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Criminal Justice, and Computer Science & IT. The focus here is on practical skills and career readiness, making it a solid option for students who want to gain expertise in these areas without incurring significant debt.
Looking at the outcomes, students can expect a median earnings of around $39,449 a decade after graduation. That’s a decent starting point for many, especially considering that the net price after aid is just $3,249. This affordability can be a game changer; it means students are less likely to be burdened by debt, which averages $13,310 for those who do take loans. This financial advantage can help graduates move up in their careers more easily, as they start their professional lives with less financial pressure.
The bottom line is that Washtenaw Community College offers a practical and affordable education for those willing to put in the effort. With a graduation rate of 31%, it's essential for students to stay focused and take advantage of the resources available. Those who thrive here are often those who are motivated to enter the workforce quickly or transfer to a four-year institution later on. It’s about finding the right fit and making the most of the opportunities available.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Washtenaw 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 Washtenaw Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Washtenaw Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 31%.
- Retention Rate
- 64%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 28%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,835
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.62
- First-Gen Students
- 39%
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 Washtenaw Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Washtenaw Community College is $6,504, 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 $3,249. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $1,940 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $13,310 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $2,736
- Out-of-State
- $6,504
- Avg Net Price
- $3,249
- Median Debt
- $13,310
- Pell Grant Rate
- 28%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 16%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $1,940
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $1,944
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $4,979
- Family Income $110K+
- $11,030
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 Washtenaw 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 Washtenaw Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Washtenaw Community College report median earnings of $39,449, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $33,799
- 8 Years
- $37,137
- 10 Years
- $39,449
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.34x
- Earning > $25K
- 48%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (84)
- 12%
- 100% (84)
- 12%
- 100% (84)
- 12%
- 100% (84)
- 12%
How Washtenaw 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 Washtenaw Community College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Washtenaw Community College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $3,249/year ($12,996 total). Graduates earn $39,449 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $949,748 in total earnings — a net gain of $936,752 (73.1× your investment). The median debt is $13,310, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 31% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $12,996
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $949,748
- Net Return
- $936,752
- ROI Multiple
- 73.1×
- Cost Per Year
- $3,249
- Median Debt
- $13,310
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 31%
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 Washtenaw Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Washtenaw 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 0.92%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 9% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 10.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $89,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.92%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 10.2%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 9.0%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $121,056
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
Washtenaw Community College produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 27 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.17%
- Top 81% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 27
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 59
- Downstream influence
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $3,042,501
- Investment Income
- $-1,234,249
Top Programs
The fields Washtenaw 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 46%
- Business & Marketing 13% $39,544 early-career
- Health Professions 11% $64,556 early-career
- Mechanic & Repair Tech 4% $49,387 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 4% $46,770 early-career
- Precision Production 4%
- Construction Trades 3% $76,630 early-career
- Criminal Justice 2% $48,083 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 Washtenaw 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 Washtenaw Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Washtenaw Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 31%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Washtenaw Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Washtenaw Community College is $6,504, 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 $3,249. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $1,940 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $13,310 in federal student loans.
Is Washtenaw Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Washtenaw Community College report median earnings of $39,449, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Washtenaw Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Washtenaw 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 0.92%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 9% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 10.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $89,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Washtenaw 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 Washtenaw Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.28, 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 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Washtenaw Community College.
- Chattahoochee Technical CollegeMarietta, GA · Close peer39% grad $37,138 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Citrus CollegeGlendora, CA · Close peer43% grad $42,065 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size
- Moraine Valley Community CollegePalos Hills, IL · Close peer37% grad $43,892 earnWhy: similar grad rate · similar size
- Jefferson Community and Technical CollegeLouisville, KY · Close peer33% grad $38,171 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Pima Community CollegeTucson, AZ · Close peer25% grad $39,810 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
- Triton CollegeRiver Grove, IL · Close peer29% grad $41,728 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Washtenaw 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 Washtenaw Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.28, 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 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note