College ROI

Smarter Choices, Brighter Futures
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Grand Rapids Community College

Grand Rapids, MI 10,698 Undergrads 23.8% Grad Rate
Share
Total Cost
$15,658
Sticker Price
Avg Net Price
$8,621
After Aid
Median Earnings
$49,887
4yr Post-Grad

Vs. Peer Institutions

Net Price$8,621
Peer Midpoint: $9,847
Earnings (4yr Post-Grad)$49,887
Peer Midpoint: $50,127.5
Graduation Rate23.8%
Peer Midpoint: 34.6%
Socio-Economic Diversity
Pell Grant Recipients31.8%
Enrollment Status
Full-Time34.4%
Economic Outcomes
Earn More than HS59.9%

Admissions Profile

Acceptance
100.0%
SAT Avg
-
SAT Reading
25th: --75th: -
SAT Math
25th: --75th: -
ACT Composite
25th: --75th: -

ROI Sensitivity Analysis

This analysis tests three cost scenarios (Scholarship, Average Net Price, Full Sticker Price) to show how college costs impact your long-term return compared to the average student and a high school graduate.

Lifetime Value Added (NPV)

Institution Lifetime NPV
Vs Median Peer
Vs HS Grad
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
+$531k
+$16k
+$47k
Median Cost$9k/yr
+$515k
-$112
+$31k
Full Cost$16k/yr
+$503k
-$13k
+$18k

ROI Efficiency Metrics

Break-Even Age
Return on Inv. %
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
31
Median Cost$9k/yr
37
196%
Full Cost$16k/yr
44
63%
Analysis Assumptions:
  • Starting Salary: Estimated from the 4-year post-graduation median earnings (assuming 2% annual growth from graduation).
  • Comparisons: "Vs Median Peer" compares to the median student nationwide in a similar level program. "Vs HS Grad" compares to a median high school graduate.
  • Break-Even: The age at which the college investment net income exceeds the median high school graduate's lifetime earnings.
  • NPV: Net Present Value of all future earnings minus costs and taxes, discounted at 7.8%.

Social Impact ROINew

Measures the societal return on a donor's investment. Calculated as the incremental pre-tax lifetime earnings vs. HS grad, divided by the tax-adjusted donation cost.

Donor Return231%

Gov. Pell Grant ROINew

Measures the government's return on Pell Grants via increased tax revenue. Calculated as the portion of incremental lifetime taxes (discounted at 5.4%) attributed to the Pell Grant investment.

Taxpayer Return13%
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.

Program ROI Analysis

Certificates

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services
CertCIP: 5108
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$35,622
Natl Median: $34,272
Lifetime Value Added
-$80k
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
CertCIP: 5109
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $57,584
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians
CertCIP: 1002
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $33,223
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection
CertCIP: 4604
Median Debt
$6,460
Earnings (4yr)
$39,288
Natl Median: $42,012
Lifetime Value Added
-$32k
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management
CertCIP: 1110
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$44,019
Natl Median: $52,615
Lifetime Value Added
+$20k
Criminal Justice and Corrections
CertCIP: 4301
Median Debt
$9,000
Earnings (4yr)
$67,559
Natl Median: $57,702
Lifetime Value Added
+$264k
Culinary Arts and Related Services
CertCIP: 1205
Median Debt
$7,705
Earnings (4yr)
$40,542
Natl Median: $30,572
Lifetime Value Added
-$18k
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions
CertCIP: 5106
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$36,140
Natl Median: $33,673
Lifetime Value Added
-$66k
Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians
CertCIP: 1513
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $53,359
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers
CertCIP: 4603
Median Debt
$6,460
Earnings (4yr)
$45,898
Natl Median: $53,078
Lifetime Value Added
+$40k
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians
CertCIP: 1503
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $49,492
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians
CertCIP: 4701
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $43,027
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians
CertCIP: 1504
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $65,202
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
CertCIP: 5207
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $50,211
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations
CertCIP: 5218
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $52,001
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)
CertCIP: 4702
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$38,289
Natl Median: $48,148
Lifetime Value Added
-$26k
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians
CertCIP: 4703
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $62,199
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
CertCIP: 1907
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$33,311
Natl Median: $31,135
Lifetime Value Added
-$105k
Human Services, General
CertCIP: 4400
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $36,390
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians
CertCIP: 1506
Median Debt
$5,500
Earnings (4yr)
$76,216
Natl Median: $57,294
Lifetime Value Added
+$348k
Mechanics and Repairers, General
CertCIP: 4700
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $40,828
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions
CertCIP: 5115
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $43,365
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants
CertCIP: 5139
Median Debt
$9,407
Earnings (4yr)
$51,480
Natl Median: $56,073
Lifetime Value Added
+$100k
Precision Metal Working
CertCIP: 4805
Median Debt
$4,240
Earnings (4yr)
$46,375
Natl Median: $48,702
Lifetime Value Added
+$45k
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians
CertCIP: 4706
Median Debt
$6,460
Earnings (4yr)
$51,318
Natl Median: $51,586
Lifetime Value Added
+$98k

Associate's Degrees

Accounting and Related Services
AssocCIP: 5203
Median Debt
$9,000
Earnings (4yr)
$49,062
Natl Median: $47,660
Lifetime Value Added
+$23k
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services
AssocCIP: 5108
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$35,632
Natl Median: $42,269
Lifetime Value Added
-$112k
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
AssocCIP: 5109
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$54,001
Natl Median: $65,389
Lifetime Value Added
+$71k
Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services
AssocCIP: 0106
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $45,283
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Architectural Sciences and Technology
AssocCIP: 0409
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $55,403
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 1002
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $35,660
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Business Administration, Management and Operations
AssocCIP: 5202
Median Debt
$14,500
Earnings (4yr)
$49,401
Natl Median: $48,733
Lifetime Value Added
+$26k
Business Operations Support and Assistant Services
AssocCIP: 5204
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$36,042
Natl Median: $37,587
Lifetime Value Added
-$93k
Business/Commerce, General
AssocCIP: 5201
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $49,927
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Computer Programming
AssocCIP: 1102
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$66,293
Natl Median: $58,070
Lifetime Value Added
+$187k
Computer Software and Media Applications
AssocCIP: 1108
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $41,737
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications
AssocCIP: 1109
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$48,420
Natl Median: $54,971
Lifetime Value Added
+$17k
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management
AssocCIP: 1110
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $54,726
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Criminal Justice and Corrections
AssocCIP: 4301
Median Debt
$11,600
Earnings (4yr)
$64,550
Natl Median: $46,706
Lifetime Value Added
+$171k
Culinary Arts and Related Services
AssocCIP: 1205
Median Debt
$12,319
Earnings (4yr)
$45,302
Natl Median: $39,605
Lifetime Value Added
-$14k
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions
AssocCIP: 5106
Median Debt
$14,957
Earnings (4yr)
$52,414
Natl Median: $61,982
Lifetime Value Added
+$56k
Design and Applied Arts
AssocCIP: 5004
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $38,127
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 1513
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $55,895
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 1503
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $67,792
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 1504
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $73,046
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians, Other
AssocCIP: 1599
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $69,455
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Film/Video and Photographic Arts
AssocCIP: 5006
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $33,186
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Fine and Studio Arts
AssocCIP: 5007
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $31,650
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations
AssocCIP: 5218
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $46,500
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)
AssocCIP: 4702
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $58,236
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 4703
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $69,017
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
AssocCIP: 1907
Median Debt
$12,614
Earnings (4yr)
$36,584
Natl Median: $34,184
Lifetime Value Added
-$102k
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 1506
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $73,593
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
AssocCIP: 2401
Median Debt
$9,000
Earnings (4yr)
$46,615
Natl Median: $44,125
Lifetime Value Added
-$1k
Music
AssocCIP: 5009
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $34,056
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Precision Metal Working
AssocCIP: 4805
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$63,350
Natl Median: $56,451
Lifetime Value Added
+$160k
Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 1507
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $77,094
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
AssocCIP: 5138
Median Debt
$14,277
Earnings (4yr)
$74,096
Natl Median: $80,813
Lifetime Value Added
+$257k
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
AssocCIP: 1313
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $35,702
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 4706
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $58,424
Lifetime Value Added
N/A

Note: Lifetime Value Added is the Net Present Value (NPV) of estimated career earnings relative to a median high school graduate (for undergraduate programs) or a median bachelor's degree holder (for graduate programs), accounting for this institution's average cost and taxes. Computed over a career to retirement age.

For graduate programs (Master's, Doctoral, etc.), the calculation assumes a starting age of 22 (after undergraduate completion) and does not include the sunk costs of prior degrees. It represents the value added of the graduate degree decision moving forward. These Lifetime Value Added results for graduate degrees should not be compared with those for Undergraduate Certificates, Associates or Bachelors.