Grand Rapids Community College
Tel:
(616) 234-4000
- It is the mission of Grand Rapids Community College to provide the community with learning opportunities that enable people to achieve their goals.
School Highlights
Grand Rapids Community College serves 13,788 students (30% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 30:1 is same as the state community college average of 30:1.
Minority enrollment is 37% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the state average of 34%.
Top Rankings
Grand Rapids Community College ranks among the top 20% of community colleges in Michigan for:
- Category Attribute
- Community Size Largest student body
- Debt For Students Least debt for graduating students
School Overview
The teacher population of 467 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
| Grand Rapids Community College | (MI) Community College Avg. | |
| Carnegie Classification | Associate's Colleges: Mixed Transfer/Vocational & Technical-High Traditional | Associates Colleges |
| Institution Level | At least 2 but less than 4 years | At least 2 yrs but < 4 yrs |
| Institution Control | Public | Public |
| Total Faculty | 467 staff | 103 staff |
Source: 2019 (or latest year available) IPEDS
School Notes
- Grand Rapids Junior College (GRJC) was founded in 1914 by the Grand Rapids Board of Education after a resolution was passed by the University of Michigan's faculty which encouraged the establishment of junior colleges in Michigan. Today, GRCC's eight-block downtown campus includes several classroom buildings, a learning center and library, Spectrum Theater, the Applied Technology Center, a remodeled music building, a fieldhouse with natatorium, a student center (including the Diversity Learning Center), Bostwick Commons, and the state-of-the-art Calkins Science Center. An off-campus “Learning Corner” has been added to serve the East Hills and Eastown neighborhoods as well as the greater Grand Rapids Community. In addition, GRCC has two Michigan Technical Education Centers (M-TECs ® ) in West Michigan. The Patrick Thompson M-TEC ® , located in Holland, opened in Fall 2000 in partnership with the Ottawa Area Intermediate School District. Its open entry/open exit instruction eliminates the need for students in manufacturing and industry-related occupational programs to conform to a traditional semester time frame. The Leslie E. Tassell M-TEC ® in Grand Rapids opened in 2002. This world-class facility offers training in manufacturing, auto service, and building and construction trades. In Fall 2004, more than 14,000 students enrolled in more than 1,600 liberal arts and occupational courses. The diverse student body represents students from Kent and surrounding counties as well as students from across the U.S. and 22 other nations. Another 10,000 learners are served by non-credit instructional opportunities. In addition to traditional classroom environments, students may also receive instruction through community and distant service-learning offerings, seminars, workshops, training classes, distance learning options and other educational formats. GRCC employs a faculty of more than 250 full-time and 350 part-time members as well as a staff of 650, all of whom are focused on the College's priorities to be student-centered, collaborative, and flexible. Throughout its 90-year history of academic excellence, GRCC has maintained a solid reputation as a premier transfer institution and is nationally recognized for both its liberal arts and occupational programs.
Nearby Schools
The nearest community college to Grand Rapids Community College is Montcalm Community College (30.3 miles away).
- College Location Mi. Students
- 1,667 students | 30.30 Mi2800 College Dr.
Sidney, MI 48885
(989) 328-2111 30.301,667 - Baker College of MuskegonPrivate, non-profit3,481 students | 32.90 Mi1903 Marquette Ave
Muskegon, MI 49442
(231) 777-8800 32.903,481 - 4,640 students | 33.30 Mi221 S Quarterline Rd
Muskegon, MI 49442
(231) 773-9131 33.304,640 - 5,929 students | 50.10 Mi450 North Ave
Battle Creek, MI 49017
(269) 965-3931 50.105,929 - 8,069 students | 51.50 Mi6767 West O Ave
Kalamazoo, MI 49003
(269) 488-4100 51.508,069
Recent Articles
Community colleges are quickly becoming a key competitor against four year universities – and for many good reasons! Learn about why more students are opting to enroll in their local community college, rather than going straight to four year institutions.
Hunting for a job is always nerve-wracking but even more so in the aftermath of a global pandemic. Read on to learn some job-hunting tactics and tips for remote interviewing.
May 18, 2021
The world was ill-prepared to find itself in the midst of a global pandemic and the effects of the past year will linger for many years to come. No industry was unaffected and the pandemic brought to light inequities in many, particularly the U.S. education system. Read on to learn how the pandemic has affected community colleges and what students can expect in the future.
