Grand Rapids, Michigan Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)
TL;DR
Colleges in Grand Rapids, Michigan: median public in-state tuition $24,466 (+343.9% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $48,449 (-10.9% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 89.9% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $21,389 (+61.2% vs U.S.) 20,279 students enrolled statewide.
Key Facts
- Institutions in this profile: 10 campuses
- Total college enrollment: 20,279 students
- Median public in-state tuition: $24,466 (+343.9% vs U.S.)
- Median earnings 10 years after entry: $48,449 (-10.9% vs U.S.)
- Working & not enrolled (8-yr cohort proxy): 89.9% (+1.9 pp vs U.S.)
- Median net price: $17,707 (+77.6% vs U.S.)
- Median student debt at graduation: $21,389 (+61.2% vs U.S. $13,271); regional median $14,211
- Average completion rate (institutions in state): 61.9%
- Median first-year retention (full-time, 4-yr): 80.2%
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Overview
Colleges and universities in Grand Rapids serve students across Michigan with associate, bachelor's, and graduate pathways. 10 reporting campuses in this city profile, with about 20,279 students enrolled in federal data, and median in-state tuition near $24,466. Tables below compare costs, completion, earnings, and standout institutions against Grand Rapids, Michigan and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.
Grand Rapids vs Michigan & national benchmarks
Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.
| Geography | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids, Michigan | $24,466 | $17,707 | $21,389 | 61.9% | 20,279 |
| Michigan (state median) | $5,445 | $7,368 | $13,000 | 56.0% | 368,613 |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,969 | $13,271 | 50.3% | 14,468,221 |
Earnings & employment outcomes: Grand Rapids, Michigan vs benchmarks
Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.
| Geography | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working & not enrolled (8 yr) | Retention (FT yr 1) | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment progress | Debt ÷ earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids, Michigan | $48,449 | 89.9% | 80.2% | 5.6% | — | 71.9% | 0.50 |
| Michigan (state median) | $55,123 | 91.3% | 78.1% | 5.5% | — | 69.5% | 0.46 |
| United States | $54,384 | 88.0% | 76.4% | 5.0% | — | 73.7% | 0.41 |
Other cities in Michigan (3+ campuses)
Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.
| City | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion | Enrollment | Earnings (10 yr) | Working (8 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids, Michigan | $24,466 | $17,707 | $21,389 | 61.9% | 20,279 | $48,449 | 89.9% |
| Ann Arbor | $17,736 | $16,694 | $16,405 | 70.4% | 42,746 | $69,862 | 91.7% |
| East Lansing | $16,458 | $19,680 | $9,833 | 80.7% | 41,771 | $67,253 | 93.6% |
| Detroit | $19,655 | $15,898 | $17,125 | 66.9% | 27,730 | $53,493 | 89.2% |
| Kalamazoo | $15,252 | $15,273 | $26,038 | 66.8% | 18,714 | $59,576 | 91.1% |
| Dearborn | $9,604 | $5,076 | $18,375 | 37.6% | 14,595 | $59,649 | 88.1% |
| Warren | $14,063 | $10,522 | $9,500 | N/A | 14,113 | N/A | N/A |
| Rochester Hills | $22,229 | $15,288 | $23,612 | 50.8% | 13,143 | $53,660 | 89.8% |
| University Center | $8,875 | $7,661 | $17,989 | 48.2% | 12,562 | $51,955 | 93.3% |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,969 | $13,271 | 50.3% | 14,468,221 | $54,384 | 88.0% |
Outcomes by sector in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Median campus-level metrics within each ownership type (public, private nonprofit, private for-profit).
| Sector | Campuses | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working share (8 yr) | Retention | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private nonprofit | 4 | $48,449 | 89.9% | 80.2% | 5.6% | — | 71.9% |
Top 4 colleges in Grand Rapids, Michigan by graduation rate (150% time)
Ranked by 150% time completion rate (4-year bachelor's-predominant institutions, enrollment ≥ 500). Higher rate = more students finishing within 150% of normal time.
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Rank 1, Graduation Rate, 74.1%, Calvin University
Calvin University
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Rank 2, Graduation Rate, 65.4%, Aquinas College
Aquinas College
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Rank 3, Graduation Rate, 61.9%, Cornerstone University
Cornerstone University
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Rank 4, Graduation Rate, 56.6%, Davenport University
Davenport University
Top 4 colleges in Grand Rapids, Michigan by employment outcome (8 yrs after entry, working & not enrolled)
Ranked by share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled — a federal outcome proxy, not a verified job-placement rate. Enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 91.8%, Aquinas College
Aquinas College
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Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 90.6%, Calvin University
Calvin University
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Rank 3, Employment Outcome, 89.2%, Cornerstone University
Cornerstone University
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Rank 4, Employment Outcome, 87.9%, Davenport University
Davenport University
Top 4 most selective colleges in Grand Rapids, Michigan (lowest admission rate)
Ranked by lowest admission rate (most selective first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500 and a reported admission rate.
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Rank 1, Admission Rate, 70.9%, Calvin University
Calvin University
-
Rank 2, Admission Rate, 77.8%, Cornerstone University
Cornerstone University
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Rank 3, Admission Rate, 89.9%, Aquinas College
Aquinas College
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Rank 4, Admission Rate, 97.8%, Davenport University
Davenport University
Top 4 colleges in Grand Rapids, Michigan by entry-level earnings (1 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings one year after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; reflects completers in reported CIP programs, not all entrants.
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Rank 1, Entry-Level Earnings, $73,682, Calvin University
Calvin University
-
Rank 2, Entry-Level Earnings, $72,486, Davenport University
Davenport University
-
Rank 3, Entry-Level Earnings, $63,311, Aquinas College
Aquinas College
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Rank 4, Entry-Level Earnings, $53,327, Cornerstone University
Cornerstone University
Top 4 colleges in Grand Rapids, Michigan by early-career earnings (4 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings four years after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; program cohort, not institution-wide median.
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Rank 1, Early-Career Earnings, $95,410, Calvin University
Calvin University
-
Rank 2, Early-Career Earnings, $78,357, Davenport University
Davenport University
-
Rank 3, Early-Career Earnings, $76,274, Aquinas College
Aquinas College
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Rank 4, Early-Career Earnings, $67,148, Cornerstone University
Cornerstone University
Top 4 colleges in Grand Rapids, Michigan by mid-career earnings (6 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings six years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $48,039, Calvin University
Calvin University
-
Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $47,041, Davenport University
Davenport University
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Rank 3, Mid-Career Earnings, $42,598, Cornerstone University
Cornerstone University
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Rank 4, Mid-Career Earnings, $40,161, Aquinas College
Aquinas College
Top 4 colleges in Grand Rapids, Michigan by 8-year earnings (8 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings eight years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $53,142, Calvin University
Calvin University
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Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $46,514, Aquinas College
Aquinas College
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Rank 3, 8-Yr Earnings, $45,964, Cornerstone University
Cornerstone University
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Rank 4, 8-Yr Earnings, $44,540, Davenport University
Davenport University
Top 4 colleges in Grand Rapids, Michigan by long-term earnings (10 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings ten years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $58,375, Calvin University
Calvin University
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Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $49,584, Aquinas College
Aquinas College
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Rank 3, 10-Yr Earnings, $47,314, Cornerstone University
Cornerstone University
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Rank 4, 10-Yr Earnings, $45,099, Davenport University
Davenport University
Top 4 colleges in Grand Rapids, Michigan by 10-year ROI
Ranked by 10-year return on investment (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200 and a computed ROI in the EDsmart dataset.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $150,945, Calvin University
Calvin University
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Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $144,516, Aquinas College
Aquinas College
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Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $138,755, Davenport University
Davenport University
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Rank 4, 10-Yr ROI, $125,291, Cornerstone University
Cornerstone University
Top 4 most affordable colleges in Grand Rapids, Michigan (net price)
Ranked by lowest average net price (most affordable first). Uses overall net price, or mid-income bracket net price for public schools when available. Enrollment ≥ 300.
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Rank 1, Net Price, $16,626, Aquinas College
Aquinas College
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Rank 2, Net Price, $17,707, Davenport University
Davenport University
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Rank 3, Net Price, $20,301, Cornerstone University
Cornerstone University
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Rank 4, Net Price, $22,992, Calvin University
Calvin University
Top 4 colleges in Grand Rapids, Michigan by first-year retention (full-time)
Ranked by first-year, full-time retention rate (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, First-Year Retention, 86.8%, Calvin University
Calvin University
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Rank 2, First-Year Retention, 82.0%, Davenport University
Davenport University
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Rank 3, First-Year Retention, 78.3%, Aquinas College
Aquinas College
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Rank 4, First-Year Retention, 78.3%, Cornerstone University
Cornerstone University
In-state tuition: Grand Rapids, Michigan vs benchmarks
Sticker price
Grand Rapids, Michigan median in-state tuition is $24,466, +343.9% vs the U.S. median.
Student debt: Grand Rapids, Michigan vs benchmarks
Borrowing
Median debt at graduation in Grand Rapids, Michigan is $21,389 (+61.2% vs U.S. median $13,271). Regional median: $14,211.
Median earnings (10 years out): Grand Rapids, Michigan vs benchmarks
Payoff
Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in Grand Rapids, Michigan center around $48,449 (-10.9% vs U.S.).
Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.
Employment outcome proxy: Grand Rapids, Michigan vs benchmarks
Working & not enrolled
The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 89.9% at the median Grand Rapids, Michigan campus (+1.9 pp vs U.S.).
Percent of 8-year cohort working and not enrolled (not a formal placement rate).
Analysis & insights
EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.
Costs & borrowing
Grand Rapids, Michigan median public in-state tuition is $24,466, about +343.9% vs the national median. Versus the Great Lakes region, tuition is +334.9%.
Median graduate debt is $21,389 (+61.2% above the U.S. median of $13,271). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.
Earnings, employment & retention
Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in Grand Rapids, Michigan are $48,449, about -10.9% vs the U.S. campus median ($54,384).
The median campus reports 89.9% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 88.0% (+1.9 pp). Formal job-placement statistics are not published in Scorecard; treat this as a comparative outcome indicator, not a hire guarantee.
First-year, full-time retention at the median campus is 80.2% vs a U.S. median of 76.4%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.
Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 5.6% (U.S. 5.0%); 3-yr repayment progress 71.9% (U.S. 73.7%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.
Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include Aquinas College (91.8%), Calvin University (90.6%), Cornerstone University (89.2%), Davenport University (87.9%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.
Completion & workforce context
Within Grand Rapids, Michigan, sector medians diverge: Private nonprofit median 10-yr earnings $48,449 (4 campuses). Public campuses often dominate enrollment while private nonprofits can show higher earnings medians at selective institutions.
Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in Grand Rapids, Michigan is 61.9% (national institution average about 50.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many colleges are in Grand Rapids?
This city profile covers 10 campuses in Grand Rapids, Michigan with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.
How much does college cost in Grand Rapids?
Median in-state tuition in Grand Rapids is $24,466 and median net price is $17,707. For Michigan overall, medians are $5,445 and $7,368; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,969.
What do graduates earn in Grand Rapids?
Median 10-year earnings for campuses in Grand Rapids is $48,449 vs $55,123 for Michigan and $54,384 nationally.
What is student debt like for Grand Rapids colleges?
Median completer debt in Grand Rapids is $21,389 vs $13,000 for Michigan and $13,271 nationally.
What are the best colleges in Grand Rapids?
Top campuses on this page include Calvin University (graduation) and Calvin University (10-yr earnings). See Top 10 lists for admission, affordability, and employment metrics.
Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in Grand Rapids?
Among 10 campuses in Grand Rapids, Michigan, 5 religiously affiliated private nonprofit campuses (IPEDS RELAFFIL); most common affiliations: Christian Reformed Church (2), Roman Catholic (1), Interdenominational (1).
Sources & related
- Michigan college profile
- All college profiles
- National benchmarks
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
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