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Southwestern Michigan College

Dowagiac, MI·Public·1,431 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for families who need the lowest possible cost and students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 1,431 students.

N/A
Accept
1,431
Students
$5,978
Net Price
N/A
Grad Rate
$32,200
Earnings
10 yr
$10,959
Debt

About This School

Southwestern Michigan College is a public institution located in Dowagiac, Michigan with approximately 1,431 undergraduate students enrolled. The average net price after financial aid is $5,978 per year. Typical graduates earn $32,200 within 10 years of enrollment.

Southwestern Michigan College is a public community college with its main campus near Dowagiac, Michigan.It also has a campus just outside the city limits of Niles, Michigan.

Worth considering if you're looking to keep costs low and start a career path affordably — at just $6,463/year net price and a median debt of only $5,500 at graduation, the financial risk here is genuinely minimal. That said, median earnings of $32,200 a decade out suggest this works best as a stepping stone to a four-year transfer or a specific trade credential, not as a terminal degree for high-earning careers. If your goal is to save money while completing general education requirements or earning a two-year credential in a practical field, this small community college makes real sense.

Founded
1964
Setting
Fringe rural
Avg Faculty Salary
$7,880

Popular Programs

Health Professions17%
Business & Marketing11%
Education6%
Visual & Performing Arts3%
Computer Science3%
Psychology2%
Biological Sciences1%
Social Sciences1%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average CompositeN/A

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$6,417
Out-of-State Tuition
$8,394
Avg Net Price
$5,978
after aid

Net Price by Family Income

Under $30k$5,134
$30–48k$4,151
$48–75k$7,414
$75–110k$10,514
$110k+$11,413

Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants38%
Median debt at graduation$10,959

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
N/A
within 6 years
Retention Rate
N/A
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$32,200
after enrollment
Median Debt
$10,959
at graduation

Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender

Male graduates$29,400
Female graduates$22,800

Gap: 22% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$10,959
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$25,200
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$32,200
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.9x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White69%
Black15%
Hispanic/Latino1%
Asian1%
Two or more races7%
American Indian/Alaska Native1%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,431 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Southwestern Michigan College

58900 Cherry Grove Rd

Dowagiac, MI 49047-9793

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Michigan

Browse all Michigan schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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