Southwestern Michigan College

  • The mission of Southwestern Michigan College is to be the college of first choice for students who have a choice, the college that provides the programs and services to meet the needs of students with limited choices, and the college that serves our community.

School Highlights

Southwestern Michigan College serves 1,759 students (43% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 9:1 is lower than the state community college average of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 20% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 29%.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Enrollment: 1,759 students
  • In-state tuition: $5,866
  • Out-state tuition: $6,263
  • Student:teacher ratio: 9:1
  • Minority enrollment: 20%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

School Overview

The teacher population of 192 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Southwestern Michigan College
(MI) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associates Colleges
Associates Colleges
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
192 staff
224 staff
This chart displays total faculty of Southwestern Michigan College and community college average number of faculty in Michigan by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Student Body

The student population of Southwestern Michigan College has declined by 17% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 9:1 has decreased from 11:1 over five years.
The Southwestern Michigan College diversity score of 0.35 is less than the state average of 0.47. The school's diversity has declined by 28% over five years.
Total Enrollment
1,759 students
2,783 students
This chart displays the total enrollment of Southwestern Michigan College and community college average number of enrollment of Michigan by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
9:1
13:1
This chart displays the student staff ratio of Southwestern Michigan College and community college average student staff ratio of Michigan by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Full-Time Students
752 students
1,079 students
This chart displays the total number of Full-time students enrollment of Southwestern Michigan College and average number of community college Full-time students enrollment of Michigan by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Part-Time Students
1,007 students
1,704 students
This chart displays the total number of Part-time students enrollment of Southwestern Michigan College and average number of community college Part-time students enrollment of Michigan by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
This chart displays the Full-time students and Part-time students enrollment breakdown of Southwestern Michigan College.
This chart displays community college average Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of Michigan.
# Enrollment Undergraduate
142 students
298 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
752 students
1,115 students
This chart displays the total number of Full-time undergraduate students enrollment of Southwestern Michigan College and average number of community college Full-time undergraduate  students enrollment of Michigan by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
4 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
1,007 students
1,615 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
4 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
390 students
178 students
This chart displays the dormitory capacity of Southwestern Michigan College and the community college average dormitory capacity of Michigan by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% American Indian/Alaskan
1%
n/a
This chart displays the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan students in Southwestern Michigan College and the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan community college students in Michigan by year, with the latest 2017-18 school year data.
% Asian
2%
2%
This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in Southwestern Michigan College and the percentage of Asian community college students in Michigan by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Hispanic
4%
5%
This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in Southwestern Michigan College and the percentage of Hispanic community college students in Michigan by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Black
6%
12%
This chart displays the percentage of Black students in Southwestern Michigan College and the percentage of Black community college students in Michigan by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% White
80%
71%
This chart displays the percentage of White students in Southwestern Michigan College and the percentage of White community college students in Michigan by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Hawaiian
1%
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
3%
This chart displays the percentage of Two or more races students in Southwestern Michigan College and the percentage of Two or more races community college students in Michigan by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Non Resident races
n/a
1%
This chart displays the percentage of Non Resident students in Southwestern Michigan College and the percentage of Non Resident community college students in Michigan by year, with the latest 2015-16 school year data.
% Unknown races
4%
6%
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Southwestern Michigan College.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Michigan.
Diversity Score
0.35
0.47
This chart displays the diversity score of Southwestern Michigan College and the community college average diversity score of Michigan by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
29%
21%
This chart displays completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of Southwestern Michigan College and community college average completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of Michigan by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
3.79%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$28,700
$30,700
This chart displays average graduate earnings (10 Years) of Southwestern Michigan College and community college average graduate earnings (10 Years) of Michigan by year, disaggregated by student subgroups with the latest 2012-13 school year data.

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

The public in-state tuition of $5,866 is more than the state average of $4,944. The in-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $6,263 is less than the state average of $6,878. The out-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$5,866
$4,944
This chart displays tuition fees for an in-state student of Southwestern Michigan College and the public community college average tuition fees for an in-state student of Michigan by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Out-State Tuition Fees
$6,263
$6,878
This chart displays tuition fees for an out-of-state student of Southwestern Michigan College and the public community college average tuition fees for an out-of-state student of Michigan by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
92%
87%
This chart displays the percent of students who is receiving some financial aid in Southwestern Michigan College and the percent of community college students who is receiving some financial aid in Michigan by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Median Debt for Graduates
$11,075
$11,704
This chart displays median debt for students who have completed a certificate or degree in Southwestern Michigan College and average median debt for community college students who have completed a certificate or degree in Michigan by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Median Debt for Dropouts
$5,500
$5,500
This chart displays median debt for students who have not completed a certificate or degree in Southwestern Michigan College and average median debt for community college students who have not completed a certificate or degree in Michigan by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Acceptance Rate
n/a
99%
Source: 2021 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators

School Notes

  • We offer small class sizes, ensuring you will receive significant personalized attention from your instructors. We have campuses conveniently located in Dowagiac and Niles - close to home and work. We also have academic support services that offer assistance every step of the way from the time you apply for admission to SMC to the completion of your degree and beyond. We have high quality transfer courses and curricula for students who wish to pursue their first two years of a four-year degree at SMC before transferring to a four-year college or university. Plus, SMC is committed to offering the highest quality academic experience at less than half the cost of most four-year colleges and universities. Southwestern Michigan College offers two-year transfer programs (Associate in Arts and Associate in Sciences degrees) and professional technical programs. In addition, students can now complete a bachelor's degree in one of six areas right on our campuses. Southwestern Michigan College offers many scholarships, including generous awards for academically talented students in the most recent high school class. Southwestern Michigan College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Southwestern Michigan College cost?
Southwestern Michigan College's tuition is approximately $5,866 for In-State students and $6,263 for Out-State students.

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Enrollment: 1,759 students
  • In-state tuition: $5,866
  • Out-state tuition: $6,263
  • Student:teacher ratio: 9:1
  • Minority enrollment: 20%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Related School Videos

Did You Know?

For Michigan public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $4,944 per year for in-state students and $6,878 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $11,103 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.

The average community college acceptance rate in Michigan is 87%. Read more about national community college acceptance rates.

Michigan community colleges have a diversity score of 0.47, which is lower than the national average of 0.71. The most diverse community college in Michigan is Schoolcraft College. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

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