Best Community Colleges in Michigan 2024

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The best community colleges provide an effective springboard into higher education, offering students high-quality two-year degree programs in a wide range of disciplines. The top-rated community colleges in Michigan offer a broad selection of associate’s degrees, affordable tuition rates, and strong partnerships with public four-year schools so that students can easily transfer their credits into accredited bachelor’s degree programs.

10 Best Community Colleges in Michigan

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  1. Macomb Community College
  2. Muskegon Community College
  3. Mott Community College
  4. Oakland Community College
  5. Washtenaw Community College
  6. Grand Rapids Community College
  7. Lansing Community College
  8. Delta College
  9. North Central Michigan College
  10. Wayne County Community College District
  1. Lansing Community College
  2. Macomb Community College
  3. Mott Community College
  4. Oakland Community College
  5. Muskegon Community College
  6. Washtenaw Community College
  7. Delta College
  8. North Central Michigan College
  9. Grand Rapids Community College
  10. Kalamazoo Valley Community College
    1. Mid Michigan Community College 25 to 1
    2. Wayne County Community College District 25 to 1
    3. Oakland Community College 24 to 1
    4. Macomb Community College 23 to 1
    5. Glen Oaks Community College 23 to 1
    6. Grand Rapids Community College 18 to 1
    7. Bay de Noc Community College 17 to 1
    8. Muskegon Community College 17 to 1
    9. Mott Community College 17 to 1
    10. Washtenaw Community College 17 to 1
    1. Muskegon Community College $9,360
    2. St. Clair County Community College $9,300
    3. Mid Michigan Community College $8,808
    4. Bay de Noc Community College $7,657
    5. Grand Rapids Community College $7,470
    6. North Central Michigan College $6,870
    7. Lansing Community College $6,840
    8. Montcalm Community College $6,660
    9. Monroe County Community College $6,383
    10. Kalamazoo Valley Community College $6,210
      1. West Shore Community College
      2. Glen Oaks Community College
      3. Montcalm Community College
      4. Bay Mills Community College
      5. Bay de Noc Community College
      6. Southwestern Michigan College
      7. Monroe County Community College
      8. St. Clair County Community College
      9. Kellogg Community College
      10. Kalamazoo Valley Community College
      1. West Shore Community College
      2. Montcalm Community College
      3. Monroe County Community College
      4. Glen Oaks Community College
      5. Bay de Noc Community College
      6. Kirtland Community College
      7. St. Clair County Community College
      8. Mid Michigan Community College
      9. Gogebic Community College
      10. Bay Mills Community College
        1. Bay Mills Community College 8 to 1
        2. Kellogg Community College 8 to 1
        3. West Shore Community College 11 to 1
        4. Lansing Community College 12 to 1
        5. Kalamazoo Valley Community College 12 to 1
        6. Gogebic Community College 12 to 1
        7. Montcalm Community College 12 to 1
        8. Monroe County Community College 14 to 1
        9. St. Clair County Community College 15 to 1
        10. North Central Michigan College 15 to 1
        1. Wayne County Community College District $2,839
        2. Bay Mills Community College $3,320
        3. Washtenaw Community College $4,056
        4. West Shore Community College $4,320
        5. Mott Community College $4,446
        6. Glen Oaks Community College $4,704
        7. Oakland Community College $5,180
        8. Southwestern Michigan College $5,410
        9. Kirtland Community College $5,820
        10. Gogebic Community College $5,921

          Colleges and Universities in Michigan

          With over 80 public and private colleges to choose from, students hoping to earn their associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree can find a program that suits their educational needs and budget. Michigan State University and the University of Michigan are the two largest schools, both serving around 42,000 students and costing $16,000 in tuition. Most of the schools in The Wolverine State, however, serve smaller student populations, with tuition fees ranging from $3,000 to $49,000.

          Find college admissions consultants in your state.

          Additionally, students pursuing their degree at a school with religious affiliations have more than 20 options to choose from, including Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, Grand Rapid’s Calvin College, and Hope College in Holland. Students attending one of Michigan’s private schools, like Davenport University, can earn their degrees in fields like nursing, education, criminal justice, and history. Michigan, like many other states, also provides a special loan forgiveness program to those in medical, dental, and mental health professions who work in underserved communities. Recipients can receive up to $200,000 of tax-free funds over an eight-year period.

          The great state of Michigan famously serves as the major hub of the United States auto industry - and also boasts the longest freshwater coastline in the nation. Students who love the outdoors but are also drawn to the metropolitan energy of big cities like Detroit and Grand Rapids will feel very much at home in Michigan.

          To find your degree program, explore some of the top schools in Michigan.


          What are Michigan’s Colleges & Universities?

          Michigan’s Best Overall

          Michigan's Best Community Colleges Badge
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          We’ve identified 23 community colleges in Michigan. The following list shows the best community colleges and primarily associate degree granting colleges in Michigan.

          Best Community Colleges in Michigan

          1. Tuition + fees

            $6K

            Graduation

            12%

            Student body

            24K

            Career Outlook for degree at Macomb Community College

            Cost of Degree: $6,210
            Starting Salary: $37,300
            What is Macomb Community College known for?

            Macomb Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          2. Tuition + fees

            $11K

            Graduation

            26%

            Student body

            5K

            Career Outlook for degree at Muskegon Community College

            Cost of Degree: $11,090
            Starting Salary: $32,100
            What is Muskegon Community College known for?

            Muskegon Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

            Most Influential Alumni

          3. Tuition + fees

            $5K

            Graduation

            16%

            Student body

            8K

            Career Outlook for degree at Mott Community College

            Cost of Degree: $5,201
            Starting Salary: $31,300
            What is Mott Community College known for?

            Mott Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          4. #4

            Oakland Community College

            Auburn Hills , MI

            Tuition + fees

            $5K

            Graduation

            17%

            Student body

            22K

            Career Outlook for degree at Oakland Community College

            Cost of Degree: $5,400
            Starting Salary: $35,800
            What is Oakland Community College known for?

            Oakland Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

            Most Influential Alumni

          5. Tuition + fees

            $4K

            Graduation

            28%

            Student body

            19K

            Career Outlook for degree at Washtenaw Community College

            Cost of Degree: $4,416
            Starting Salary: $34,600
            What is Washtenaw Community College known for?

            Washtenaw Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

            Most Influential Alumni

          6. Other Rankings

            Tuition + fees

            $8K

            Graduation

            19%

            Student body

            18K

            Career Outlook for degree at Grand Rapids Community College

            Cost of Degree: $7,929
            Starting Salary: $34,400
            What is Grand Rapids Community College known for?

            Grand Rapids Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

            Most Influential Alumni

          7. Tuition + fees

            $7K

            Graduation

            19%

            Student body

            14K

            Career Outlook for degree at Lansing Community College

            Cost of Degree: $7,340
            Starting Salary: $36,100
            What is Lansing Community College known for?

            Lansing Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

            Most Influential Alumni

          8. #8

            Delta College

            University Center , MI

            Tuition + fees

            $7K

            Graduation

            15%

            Student body

            9K

            Career Outlook for degree at Delta College

            Cost of Degree: $6,980
            Starting Salary: $34,600
            What is Delta College known for?

            Delta College ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

            Most Influential Alumni

          9. Tuition + fees

            $8K

            Graduation

            33%

            Student body

            2K

            Career Outlook for degree at North Central Michigan College

            Cost of Degree: $7,770
            Expenses: $12,313
            Starting Salary: $31,100
            Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
            Paid back at 15% of annual salary
            What is North Central Michigan College known for?

            North Central Michigan College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          10. Tuition + fees

            $3K

            Graduation

            13%

            Student body

            18K

            Career Outlook for degree at Wayne County Community College District

            Cost of Degree: $3,263
            Starting Salary: $28,900
            What is Wayne County Community College District known for?

            Wayne County Community College District’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          11. Tuition + fees

            $7K

            Graduation

            29%

            Student body

            1K

            Career Outlook for degree at Gogebic Community College

            Cost of Degree: $7,209
            Expenses: $10,100
            Starting Salary: $32,400
            Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
            Paid back at 15% of annual salary
            What is Gogebic Community College known for?

            Gogebic Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          12. Tuition + fees

            $9K

            Graduation

            12%

            Student body

            4K

            Career Outlook for degree at Mid Michigan Community College

            Cost of Degree: $8,908
            Starting Salary: $32,800
            What is Mid Michigan Community College known for?

            Mid Michigan Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          13. Tuition + fees

            $7K

            Graduation

            34%

            Student body

            2K

            Career Outlook for degree at Kirtland Community College

            Cost of Degree: $6,630
            Starting Salary: $29,800
            What is Kirtland Community College known for?

            Kirtland Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          14. Tuition + fees

            $7K

            Graduation

            23%

            Student body

            10K

            Career Outlook for degree at Kalamazoo Valley Community College

            Cost of Degree: $6,526
            Starting Salary: $34,300
            What is Kalamazoo Valley Community College known for?

            Kalamazoo Valley Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          15. #15

            Kellogg Community College

            Battle Creek , MI

            Tuition + fees

            $7K

            Graduation

            8%

            Student body

            5K

            Career Outlook for degree at Kellogg Community College

            Cost of Degree: $7,013
            Starting Salary: $34,500
            What is Kellogg Community College known for?

            Kellogg Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          16. Tuition + fees

            $9K

            Graduation

            25%

            Student body

            4K

            Career Outlook for degree at St. Clair County Community College

            Cost of Degree: $9,300
            Expenses: $15,718
            Starting Salary: $34,600
            Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
            Paid back at 15% of annual salary
            What is St. Clair County Community College known for?

            St. Clair County Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          17. Tuition + fees

            $7K

            Graduation

            31%

            Student body

            3K

            Career Outlook for degree at Monroe County Community College

            Cost of Degree: $7,213
            Starting Salary: $35,500
            What is Monroe County Community College known for?

            Monroe County Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          18. Tuition + fees

            $7K

            Graduation

            32%

            Student body

            2K

            Career Outlook for degree at Southwestern Michigan College

            Cost of Degree: $7,169
            Expenses: $12,810
            Starting Salary: $32,200
            Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
            Paid back at 15% of annual salary
            What is Southwestern Michigan College known for?

            Southwestern Michigan College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          19. Tuition + fees

            $9K

            Graduation

            32%

            Student body

            3K

            Career Outlook for degree at Bay de Noc Community College

            Cost of Degree: $9,455
            Expenses: $13,162
            Starting Salary: $33,400
            Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
            Paid back at 15% of annual salary
            What is Bay de Noc Community College known for?

            Bay de Noc Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          20. Tuition + fees

            $3K

            Graduation

            26%

            Student body

            <1K

            Career Outlook for degree at Bay Mills Community College

            Cost of Degree: $3,320
            Starting Salary: $24,600
            What is Bay Mills Community College known for?

            Bay Mills Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          21. Tuition + fees

            $8K

            Graduation

            38%

            Student body

            2K

            Career Outlook for degree at Montcalm Community College

            Cost of Degree: $7,980
            Starting Salary: $30,900
            What is Montcalm Community College known for?

            Montcalm Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          22. #22

            Glen Oaks Community College

            Centreville , MI

            Tuition + fees

            $6K

            Graduation

            36%

            Student body

            2K

            Career Outlook for degree at Glen Oaks Community College

            Cost of Degree: $5,640
            Expenses: $13,378
            Starting Salary: $32,100
            Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
            Paid back at 15% of annual salary
            What is Glen Oaks Community College known for?

            Glen Oaks Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          23. Tuition + fees

            $5K

            Graduation

            30%

            Student body

            1K

            Career Outlook for degree at West Shore Community College

            Cost of Degree: $4,770
            Starting Salary: $32,400
            What is West Shore Community College known for?

            West Shore Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          2021 Ranking Archive

          Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.

          1. Kalamazoo Valley Community College
          2. North Central Michigan College
          3. Gogebic Community College
          4. Muskegon Community College
          5. Grand Rapids Community College
          6. Wayne County Community College District
          7. Bay Mills Community College
          8. Monroe County Community College
          9. Bay de Noc Community College
          10. Mott Community College
          11. Glen Oaks Community College
          12. Macomb Community College
          13. Kirtland Community College
          14. Montcalm Community College
          15. Kellogg Community College
          16. Southwestern Michigan College
          17. Washtenaw Community College
          18. Delta College
          19. Lansing Community College
          20. Oakland Community College
          21. West Shore Community College
          22. St. Clair County Community College
          23. Mid Michigan Community College
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