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Grand Rapids Community College
Grand Rapids, Michigan · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 143 Bostwick Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 · Phone: (616) 234-4000 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
Sanction on record, since lifted — Aug 2024 · Warning or Equivalent-Factors Affecting Academic Quality · American Occupational Therapy Association; Dec 2024 · Accreditation Reaffirmed: Warning Removed.
Grand Rapids Community College is a public trade and career school in Grand Rapids, MI offering culinary, LPN/LVN, and medical assistant programs, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and others.
Grand Rapids Community College's completion rate is 21.1%, below the state average of 56.9%; median graduate debt is $9,000 and median earnings 10 years after entry are $38,377, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Grand Rapids Community College; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid can be used here, and about 28.6% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chefs and head cooks | $42,170 | $60,070 | $74,090 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $56,160 | $65,460 | $73,880 |
| Medical assistants | $35,000 | $39,870 | $46,020 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $39,090 | $49,990 | $59,190 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $36,110 | $54,120 | $67,100 |
| Electricians | $42,980 | $76,270 | $92,300 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $40,210 | $60,850 | $77,780 |
| Dental assistants | $37,110 | $48,820 | $56,940 |
| Dental hygienists | $77,230 | $83,790 | $93,310 |
| Construction laborers | $37,220 | $49,590 | $61,730 |
| Radiologic technologists and technicians | $55,450 | $76,420 | $81,700 |
| Machinists | $38,370 | $52,360 | $62,300 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Michigan (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 51 | $41,438 | $37,671 | $9,407 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 35 | $31,348 | not reported | $6,460 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 32 | not reported | $27,048 | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate degree | 30 | $43,232 | $39,369 | $14,957 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 28 | $26,546 | $26,997 | $12,319 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 26 | $23,727 | $25,967 | $6,460 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 24 | $34,519 | $29,995 | $4,240 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 22 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 20 | $22,541 | $15,552 | $6,460 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 1–2 years | 20 | not reported | $38,289 | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 18 | $27,946 | $32,162 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 16 | $35,723 | $41,025 | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 15 | $26,590 | $20,140 | $7,705 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Associate degree | 14 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate degree | 11 | $43,232 | $39,369 | $14,957 |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 11 | $44,742 | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 10 | $26,590 | $20,140 | $7,705 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 8 | $26,590 | $20,140 | $7,705 |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 8 | $44,742 | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 6 | $34,519 | $29,995 | $4,240 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 6 | $23,727 | $25,967 | $6,460 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 3 | $34,519 | $29,995 | $4,240 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 3 | $34,519 | $29,995 | $4,240 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 2 | $34,519 | $29,995 | $4,240 |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Grand Rapids Community College is a public community college in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used here (Title IV eligible). The school holds accreditation from several bodies including the Higher Learning Commission, the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation, and others tied to specific programs. Its trade and career programs span 25 offerings across fields like culinary arts, LPN/LVN nursing, medical assisting, welding, auto mechanics, electrical work, HVAC, dental assisting, dental hygiene, construction trades, radiologic technology, and CNC machining, with the most-awarded programs being culinary & pastry (61 completions), LPN/LVN (51), and medical assistant programs (50).
On outcomes, the campus reports a completion rate of 21.1%, which is below the state average of 56.9%. Median debt among graduates is $9,000, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $38,377. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 28.6% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a substantial share of lower-income enrollment.
With undergraduate enrollment near 10,698 and 427 trade completers reported, this campus fits students seeking a range of short career-training programs alongside longer associate-level tracks in a midsize city setting. Program length details are not reported for this campus in federal data, so prospective students should confirm program duration directly with the school. To verify accreditation and outcomes independently, check the listed accreditors and review the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Grand Rapids Community College offers 25 programs across fields including culinary arts, LPN/LVN nursing, medical assisting, welding, auto mechanics, electrician training, HVAC, dental assisting, dental hygiene, construction trades, radiologic technology, and CNC machining. Its top programs by completions are culinary & pastry, LPN/LVN, and medical assistant programs.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited. Accreditors include the Higher Learning Commission, the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation, the American Occupational Therapy Association's Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy, and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school is Title IV eligible, meaning students can use federal financial aid such as FAFSA and Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 21.1%, which is below the state average of 56.9%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt among graduates is $9,000, per federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $38,377, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. Contact the school at (616) 234-4000 or visit https://www.grcc.edu/ for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
This is a public college, which typically means lower tuition for state residents and eligibility for state-funded aid programs compared to private for-profit institutions.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program length is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly to confirm program durations.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through the listed accreditors, such as the Higher Learning Commission, and review outcome data on the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?170055.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The campus offers a mix of shorter career-training programs and longer associate-level tracks, but specific scheduling or adult-learner accommodations are not reported in federal data; contact the school to discuss fit for career changers.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing or certification requirements are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school or the relevant program accreditor for specifics.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can contact Grand Rapids Community College at (616) 234-4000 or visit https://www.grcc.edu/ for application information.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data on nearby schools offering the same trade programs is not reported for this campus in federal data; check the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?170055 to compare institutions.
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See all trade and career schools in Michigan or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.