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Dowagiac, MI · Private University

Is Southwestern Michigan College Worth It?

ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data

Strong ROIRanked #630 of 3,472 schools by ROI

Key Numbers

10-Year Earnings

$37,303

median, 10 years after enrollment

In-State Tuition

$6,026

per year

Out-of-State Tuition

$7,850

per year

Total 4-Year Cost

$31,400

tuition only (4 years)

ROI Ratio

4.75x

earnings ÷ annual tuition

Payback Period

13.6 yrs

years to recoup total cost

Median Debt

$10,959

at graduation

Avg Net Price

$6,463

after aid & scholarships

Earnings vs. Annual Cost

10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition

Median Earnings (10yr)$37,303
Annual Tuition$7,850
National Median Earnings$45,000

Southwestern Michigan College graduates earn $7,697 less than the national median of workers with any education level.

What You'd Actually Pay

Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income

Under $30,000$5,185/yr
$30,000 – $48,000$5,742/yr
$48,000 – $75,000$8,156/yr
$75,000 – $110,000$14,599/yr
Over $110,000$11,834/yr

Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.

The Bottom Line

Southwestern Michigan College stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $37,303 10 years after starting, $7,697 below the national median of $45,000. At the current earnings trajectory, it takes approximately 13.6 years to recover the total cost of attendance.

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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.