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Southwestern Michigan College
Dowagiac, Michigan · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 58900 Cherry Grove Rd, Dowagiac, MI 49047 · Phone: (269) 782-1000 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Southwestern Michigan College is a public trade school in Dowagiac, Michigan, offering welding, auto mechanic, and medical billing and coding programs, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Southwestern Michigan College has a 37.7% completion rate, below the Michigan state average of 56.9%, with median graduate debt of $10,959 and median earnings of $37,303 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Southwestern Michigan College; contact the school for current tuition. The school accepts federal financial aid, and about 38.5% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $39,090 | $49,990 | $59,190 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $36,110 | $54,120 | $67,100 |
| Medical records specialists | $37,180 | $48,120 | $61,470 |
| Construction laborers | $37,220 | $49,590 | $61,730 |
| Medical assistants | $35,000 | $39,870 | $46,020 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 20 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Associate degree | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 5 | $29,285 | not reported | not reported |
| Carpenters | Associate degree | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Carpenters | Certificate, 1–2 years | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 2 | not reported | $31,839 | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
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
Southwestern Michigan College is a public trade and career school in Dowagiac, Michigan, located in a fringe rural setting. The campus is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with its nursing programs accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, and it participates in federal Title IV financial aid programs, meaning students can use FAFSA, federal loans, and Pell Grants to help pay for enrollment. The school offers 8 program families, with its trade programs concentrated in welding schools, auto mechanic schools, and medical billing and coding programs.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 37.7%, which is below the Michigan state average of 56.9%. Graduates who took out loans carried a median debt of $10,959, and median earnings ten years after entry were $37,303. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 38.5% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a meaningful share of the student body qualifies for need-based federal aid.
This campus may suit students considering shorter, skills-focused trade programs such as welding or auto mechanics, as well as those pursuing associate-level coursework in medical billing and coding, though specific program lengths are not reported here. Career changers should independently confirm program schedules, licensing requirements, and costs directly with the school. Prospective students can verify accreditation status and review the full outcomes data, including completion, debt, and earnings figures, on the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Southwestern Michigan College offers 8 program families, with the largest trade programs being welding schools, auto mechanic schools, and medical billing & coding programs.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with its nursing programs additionally accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students can use FAFSA, federal loans, and Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 37.7%, which is below the Michigan state average of 56.9%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates who borrowed carried a median debt of $10,959, according to federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings ten years after entry are $37,303, per federal data.
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 (269) 782-1000 or visit its website for current tuition.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Southwestern Michigan College is a public school, which typically means it receives state funding and may offer lower published tuition than private institutions, though specific rates are not reported here.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported in the data provided; contact the school directly to confirm program duration.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can confirm accreditation and review completion, debt, and earnings data on the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?172307.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The campus offers programs in welding, auto mechanics, and medical billing and coding, which may appeal to career changers, but specific program lengths and schedule flexibility are not reported here, so contacting the school directly is recommended.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Southwestern Michigan College at (269) 782-1000 or through its website, https://www.swmich.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data on other nearby trade schools is not reported here; use the College Scorecard link to compare completion rates, debt, and earnings across institutions.
Nearby trade and career schools in Michigan
- Kellogg Community CollegeBattle Creek, MI · 30% completion
- Kalamazoo Valley Community CollegeKalamazoo, MI · 28% completion
- Michigan Career and Technical InstitutePlainwell, MI · 38% completion
- Ross Medical Education Center-PortagePortage, MI · 62% completion
- Lake Michigan CollegeBenton Harbor, MI · 22% completion
- Ross Medical Education Center-Battle CreekBattle Creek, MI · 69% completion
- Glen Oaks Community CollegeCentreville, MI · 43% completion
- Twin City Beauty CollegeSaint Joseph, MI · 48% completion
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.