Grand Rapids Community College vs Alpena Community College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Grand Rapids Community College comes closer — median earnings $38,377 against a $17,242 total, vs $36,442 at Alpena Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Grand Rapids Community College | Alpena Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $8,621 | $3,320 |
| Total net cost | $17,242 | $6,640 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $38,377 | $36,442 |
| Median debt | $9,000 | $9,024 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$216,902 | -$245,000 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Grand Rapids Community College or Alpena Community College?
Alpena Community College, at $3,320 a year after aid versus $8,621 — a gap of $5,301 a year, or $10,602 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Grand Rapids Community College or Alpena Community College graduates earn more?
Grand Rapids Community College graduates report a median $38,377 ten years after entry, $1,935 more than the $36,442 at Alpena Community College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Grand Rapids Community College or Alpena Community College?
Grand Rapids Community College: its completers carry a median $9,000 in federal loans versus $9,024 at Alpena Community College, a difference of $24. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
52% of students finish at Alpena Community College, against 21% at Grand Rapids Community College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.