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Grand Rapids, MI 49503-3295
p. 616-234-4000
w. www.grcc.edu
Grand Rapids Community College
General Information, Alumni, History, Campus, Students, Faculty, Address, and Tuition
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Grand Rapids Community College Academics
Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) was established as the Grand Rapids Junior College in 1914. In 1991, the institute became a community college and was renamed the Grand Rapids Community College. GRCC operates an eight-block downtown campus in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Following accreditation by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools in 1918, GRCC offers certificates and associate’s degrees in a variety of fields of study. Courses are conducted through the two academic divisions:
- School of Arts and Sciences
- School of Workforce Development
The Art Department has received accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. Students can opt for degrees in the disciplines of biological sciences, child development & education, English, mathematics, performing arts, applied technology, business administration, and fashion merchandising, among others.
Distance learning programs offered by GRCC provide flexible learning opportunities to students who are unable to attend on-campus classes. Classes are generally conducted online, as well as through telecourses, live cable, and interactive TV.
Grand Rapids Community College Admissions
The students at GRCC are offered admission in accordance with their academic performance at the high school level. A GPA of at least 2.0, combined with an ACT score of above 18, or 12 college credits, are necessary to gain admission. Those not meeting the criteria can sit for the Accuplacer educational assessment test. Early college students, or those pursuing their high school diploma and having a cumulative GPA of 2.5, can also apply for admission by completing the Early College application.
GRCC also offers enrollment to international students. It is mandatory for such applicants to score a minimum of 71 in the Internet-based TOEFL, or 197 in the computer version. IELTS scores of 5.5 can also be taken into account. Students can apply online for their respective courses. However, applications for September classes need to be submitted by the last week of May, while applications for January classes have to be sent in before the beginning of October.
Prospective students, while applying to the college, need to submit not only a completed application form, but also their high school or college transcripts, ACT scores, and an application fee of $20.
The Office of Admissions caters to the admission of early college students as well as international students. All other applicants can get in touch with the Enrollment Center of GRCC for detailed information.
Grand Rapids Community College Financial Aid
Students at GRCC can receive financial assistance as per their needs. This may be in the form of federal programs like Stafford loans or PLUS Loans for parents. Apart from this, students can also earn the GRCC Foundation Scholarship, or obtain the Hope Scholarship Credit, and The Lifetime Learning Credit. Also, even though the college itself does not recommend any lenders, students of GRCC can opt for alternative loans from private institutions.
Grand Rapids Community College Students
GRCC has a large and diverse student body, comprising more than 15,000 representatives from across United States and over 20 nations worldwide. The campus includes the Diversity Learning Center, the Applied Technology Center, Bostwick Commons – a student center, the Calkins Science Center, and the Spectrum Theater. In addition, it is home to several student clubs and organizations. These include the Student Congress, International Food Service Executives Association, Fashion and Design Club, and Delta Pi Alpha Honor Society.
The Counseling and Career Center at GRCC offers career counseling, personal counseling and academic advising to the students. It helps them to achieve personal and academic success by means of informed decision making. GRCC also offers Student Employment Services, which enables the students to gain required skills and knowledge for their future careers.
GRCC’s library provides online databases, up-to-date technology, and various DVDs and CD-ROM materials to the students. Apart from this, students also have access to the well-equipped research labs.
Grand Rapids Community College Athletics
The athletics teams of GRCC are known as the Raiders. The college is a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association. The teams also participate in the Michigan Community College Athletic Association competitions. GRCC fields men’s teams in baseball, basketball, football, golf, and tennis, and women’s teams in basketball, volleyball, softball, and tennis.
Information Summary
Ranks 2046th overall and 45th in Michigan
| Overall Score
On StateUniversity.com (about) |
51.8 |
|---|---|
| Total Cost
On-Campus Attendance |
$3,558 |
| Admission
Success rate |
N/A |
| Student Ratio
Ratio of students to faculty |
27 : 1 |
| Retention
(Full-Time / Part-Time) |
62% / 20% |
| Enrollment
Total (all students) |
15,224 |
Demographics – Main Campus and Surrounding Areas
Reported area around or near Grand Rapids, MI 49503-3295
| Surrounding community | Midsize city (inside urban area, pop. between 100,000 to 250,000) |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 33,909 (33,909 urban / N/A rural) |
| Households | 13,859 (2.28 people per house) |
| Families | 6,343 (3.21 people per family) |
| Pop. — African American | 8,215 |
| Pop. — Asian | 538 |
| Pop. — Pacific Islander | 82 |
| Pop. — American Indian / Alaskan Native | 732 |
| Pop. — White (incl. Hispanic) | 22,673 |
| Pop. — Other | 3,309 |
Carnegie Foundation Classification
Associate's — Public Urban-serving Single Campus
| Undergraduate | Associates |
|---|---|
| Graduate | N/A |
| Undergraduate Population | Mixed part/full-time two-year |
| Enrollment | Exclusively undergraduate two-year |
| Size & Setting | Large two-year |
General Characteristics
| Highest offering | At least 2, but less than 4 academic yrs |
|---|---|
| Calendar System | Semester |
| Years of college work required | N/A |
| Variable Tuition |  |
Special Learning Opportunities
| Distance Learning | |
|---|---|
| ROTC — Army / Navy / Air Force |  —
/
/
|
| Study Abroad | |
| Weekend College | |
| Teacher Certification | |
Student Tuition Costs and Fees
What are the typical tuition costs and fees for attending Grand Rapids Community College?
Ranks 3539th for total cost of attendance
| In District | In State | Out of State | |
|---|---|---|---|
| FT Undergraduate Tuition | $1,908 | $3,768 | $5,448 |
| FT Undergraduate Required Fees | $100 | $100 | $100 |
| PT Undergraduate per Credit Hour | $80 | $157 | $227 |
| FT Graduate Tuition | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| FT Graduate Required Fees | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| PT Graduate per Credit Hour | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Total Cost of Attendance — On-Campus | $3,558 | $5,418 | $7,098 |
| Total Cost of Attendance — Off-Campus w/out Family | $8,611 | $10,471 | $12,151 |
| Total Cost of Attendance — Off-Campus with Family | $5,023 | $6,883 | $8,563 |
Student Tuition Cost History and Trends
Three year history and trends on the cost of attending
| In District | In State | Out of State | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Published Tuition & Fees | $1,668  $2,008 |
$3,000  $3,868 |
$4,200  $5,548 |
| Cost (regardless of residency) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Books & Supplies | $1,380  $1,550 |
||
| On-Campus – Room & Board | N/A  N/A |
||
| On-Campus – Other Expenses | N/A  N/A |
||
| Off-Campus w/out Family – Room & Board | $3,384  $3,588 |
||
| Off-Campus w/out Family – Other Expenses | $1,306  $1,465 |
||
| Off-Campus with Family – Room & Board | $1,306  $1,465 |
||
Admission Criteria
What criteria does Grand Rapids Community College use for admissions?
| Open Admissions | |
|---|---|
| Secondary School GPA / Rank / Record | N/A / N/A / N/A |
| College Prep. Completion | N/A |
| Recommendations | N/A |
| Formal competency demo | N/A |
| Admission test scores | N/A |
| TOEFL | N/A |
| Other tests | N/A |
= Required, 
= Recommended, 
= Neither required nor recommended
Admission Credits Accepted
What types of credits does Grand Rapids Community College accept?
| Dual Credit | |
|---|---|
| Life Experience | |
| Advanced Placement (AP) | |
Athletics - Association Memberships
| Sports / Athletic Conference Memberships | NJCAA |
|---|
Student Services
| Remedial Services | |
|---|---|
| Academic / Career Counseling | |
| PT Cost-defraying Employment | |
| Career Placement | |
| On-Campus Day Care | |
| Library Facility | |
Student Living
| First-time Room / Board Required | |
|---|---|
| Dorm Capacity | N/A |
| Meals per Week | N/A |
| Room Fee | N/A |
| Board Fee | N/A |
Student Financial Aid Details
How many students use Financial Aid, and how much do they use?
Grand Rapids Community College Ranks 4033rd for the average student loan amount.
| Average | Users | % of Attendees | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Grant Aid | $2,636 | 689 |  31% |
| State & Local Grant Aid | $1,513 | 1,019 |  46% |
| Institutional Grant Aid | $1,016 | 166 |  7% |
| Student Loan Aid | $2,855 | 456 |  20% |
| Any financial aid type | 1,662 |  75% |
Student Enrollment Demographics
How many students are enrolled at Grand Rapids Community College?
| Men | Women | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
Non Resident Alien | 39 | 62 | 101 |
Black Non-Hispanic | 682 | 870 | 1,552 |
Hispanic | 397 | 512 | 909 |
Asian / Pacific Islander | 182 | 188 | 370 |
American Indian / Alaskan Native | 61 | 86 | 147 |
White Non-Hispanic | 5,869 | 6,004 | 11,873 |
Race Unknown | 131 | 141 | 272 |
| Total | 7,361 | 7,863 | 15,224 |
Most Popular Fields of Study
The top 5 fields of study completed at Grand Rapids Community College.
| Men | Women | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 183 | 224 | 407 | |
| 50 | 37 | 87 | |
| 31 | 50 | 81 | |
| 12 | 52 | 64 | |
| 6 | 55 | 61 |
Student Completion / Graduation Demographics
How many students are successful graduates?
Faculty Compensation / Salaries
Grand Rapids Community College Ranks 388th for the average full-time faculty salary.
| Tenure system | |
|---|---|
| Average FT Salary | $74,030 ($77,074 male / $70,885 female) |
| Number of FT Faculty | 244 (124 male / 120 female) |
| Number of PT Faculty | 457 |
| FT Faculty Ratio | 0.5 : 1 |
| Total Benefits | $8,549,372 |
Grand Rapids Community College Summary
The following paragraph provided courtesy of wikipedia.
Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) is a community college located in the city of Grand Rapids in the U.S. state of Michigan. Grand Rapids Junior College (GRJC) was founded in 1914 by the Grand Rapids Board of Education after a resolution was passed by the University of Michigan’s faculty which encouraged the establishment of junior colleges in Michigan. In 1917, the Evening Institute was opened, offering Junior College, Kalamazoo Normal Scholar (which later became Western Michigan University), and University of Michigan Extension courses. In 1918, the College earned full accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. During this time, campus life began to expand, and the Women’s League was formed with the stated purpose of fostering “a democratic spirit among the women of Junior College and to sponsor social interests for the members”. During its tenure, which lasted into the 1970s, the League was highly active and sponsored teas, banquets and other events for various groups on campus. Arthur Andrews became the president of GRJC in 1920. He founded and served as the first president of both the Michigan Association of Junior Colleges and the National Association of Junior Colleges. On May 16, 1923, the Engineers Society sponsored its first annual “Shovelers’ Shindig”. In 1923, the College began offering Summer classes, the Orchestra was established, and enrollment numbered 606 students. In 1925, the College moved to its present location when it took occupancy of the former Strong Junior High School facility on the corner of Ransom Avenue and Lyon Street. In 1930, the Debate Club won the Junior College Debating Championships and the Basketball, Track and Tennis teams won the state championships. In 1947, Grand Rapids Junior College was named one of the top 100 best colleges and universities in the United States by Look Magazine. In sports, the football team played in the first National Junior College Championship game in Los Angeles on December 15, losing 46-6 to Coffeeville. That same year, GRJC played host to a meeting of the American Association of Junior Colleges. Dr. Donald Fink became GRJC’s president in 1962, while the Men’s Basketball Team won the state championship, and the Debate Team won the State Junior College Debate Tournament. In 1963, the GRCC Foundation was established as a sustainable source of funding to help underprivileged students gain access to college education at GRCC. Algebra became the college’s first “self-paced” course, and in that fall the Cross Country team took second place in the National Junior College meet. In 1966, the first annual Miss Grand Rapids Junior College Pageant was held, Introduction to Natural Resources was offered, and the College held its first chess tournament. In 1968, Jean Reed won the Miss Grand Rapids Junior College and Miss Michigan Junior College pageants, a Children’s Literature course was first offered, and the Football team won the Wool Bowl in Roswell, New Mexico by a score of 24-0 over Henderson Junior College on December 12. In 1972, the Radiologic Technology program started and the Michigan Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (MACRAO) Agreement was signed, easing the process of transferring credit from two-year schools to four-year colleges and universities. In 1976, in sports, the wrestling team was NJCAA national runner-up, the volleyball team fished seventh in nationals, and the women’s Basketball team placed sixth at the AIAW National Tournament. Fashion Merchandising classes were first offered this year and the College began holding classes on weekends to accommodate demand. In 1979, the Occupational Therapy program was established, the College hosted a Teach-in on nuclear power, and Ray Charles spoke at the Great American Talk Festival. In 1982, grading changed to a plus-and-minus system, the Computer Applications Department was established, the Student Life Board formed, and the College hosted Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving National competitions. In 1987, the First Teleconference took place on November 6, 1987 and that same year the Tennis team finished 9th in the National Junior College Tennis Tournament. The College celebrated its 75th Anniversary on October 5, 1989 with a Community Birthday Party at which 75 culinary arts students created the world’s largest cherry torte in 75 minutes. That same year, the Noorthoek Academy – a continuing education program in the arts and sciences for special needs students who want to pursue their education in a college setting – was established. The College also began offering classes at the Holland Careerline Tech Center in a collaborative effort with Muskegon Community College, and the Wrestling team finished sixth in the National Junior College Athletic Association Tournament. In 1991, a redistricting measure passed that enabled the College to separate from the Grand Rapids K-12 district and the College officially became a Community College. That same year, the Applied Technology Center was dedicated, and the Debate Team finished second within the Junior College League. The following year, the College began operating a mobile satellite uplink truck on behalf of the Michigan Community College Association, the women’s swimming and diving team finished second at the NJCAA meet, and the football team won the Dixie Rotary Bowl by the score of 42-35 over Snow College on December 3. In 1994, the college enrollment hit 13,726 and the Service Learning Center opened, offering a variety of opportunities for students including Alternative Spring Break trips. In 1995, the men’s basketball team lost in the NJCAA Division II title game to North Iowa College. In 1996, the Baseball team won its First NJCAA Division II World Series, e-mail was offered on campus, and the College hosted its First Annual bring Kids on Campus program. In 2001, the College implemented a year-long class schedule and established the Distance Learning Technology Department. The following year, the Football team won the Graphic Edge Bowl by a score of 12-6 over Iowa Central Community College on November 17. In 2004, the Grand Rapids Community College baseball team won its fourth NJCAA Division II World Series, and President George W. Bush made one of many swing-state campaign stops to Michigan at the Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse. In 2005 the Raiders baseball team won its fifth (and third straight) national title at the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II World Series.
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