2023 Best Online Community Colleges in Michigan
Studying at an online community college in Michigan might be a low-cost way for Michigan residents to earn a professional certificate or associate degree. These colleges offer a broad range of subjects, allowing students to explore their academic interests for relatively little tuition compared to four-year colleges. This is just one of the possible benefits of online community college, which also include a more diverse student makeup in general and open admissions policies that help more applicants get their feet in the door so they can start their postsecondary education. It's important to understand that in-district students qualify for the best tuition rates, but some schools offer the in-district rate to online students who live anywhere in Michigan.
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#1 Schoolcraft College
- Salary Score: 72
- Online Enrollment: 2,056
- Locations: Livonia
- Accreditation: HLC
The public Schoolcraft College provides several associate degree and certificate options that are 100% online. The college's Associate in General Studies is one of these, and it is also the program with the highest enrollment. Online business programs are also popular, including the Associate of Applied Science in General Business. Schoolcraft features a 19% graduation rate.
Online learners log in to the Blackboard learning management system (LMS) to work on courses. The college has a range of services available to both on-campus and online enrollees, including a career services office and veterans resource center. In addition, the Hinkle Student Resource Center supports students in need of financial help with tuition, textbooks, or technology.
#2 Jackson College
- Salary Score: 69
- Online Enrollment: 2,717
- Locations: Jackson
- Accreditation: HLC
Jackson College is a public school with a range of fully online certificates and associate degree programs. By enrollment, the college's largest program is the Associate in General Studies degree, which is available to distance learners. Business programs are also popular with Jackson students, especially the Associate in Arts in Business Administration degree and the Associate in Applied Science in Business Administration degree. The college's graduation rate is 14%, which is less than the median rate of 30% for U.S. community colleges.
Jackson uses Canvas as its LMS to host online courses. Distance learners can remotely access tutoring, library resources, and academic advisors. Nearly two-thirds of Jackson students are enrolled on a part-time basis.
#3 Macomb Community College
- Salary Score: 64
- Online Enrollment: 11,398
- Locations: Warren (and 1 other)
- Accreditation: HLC
Macomb Community College is a public institution that provides several options for online associate degrees and certificates. One of Macomb's most popular programs is available online: the Associate of Business Administration in General Business degree. Distance learners can also earn an ABA degree in business management, global supply chain management, or marketing. The college has a graduation rate of 17% for all of its programs.
Macomb uses the Canvas LMS to deliver online courses. It is the largest community college in Michigan by enrollment, with a student body of nearly 17,000. About three-quarters of enrollees study part time, and 68% are enrolled in online-only programs.
#4 Grand Rapids Community College
- Salary Score: 55
- Online Enrollment: 5,080
- Locations: Grand Rapids (and 1 other)
- Accreditation: HLC
Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) is a public school with a few 100% online programs. The most popular choice is the Associate of Arts in Pre-Business degree, which is designed as an introductory program to accrue credits that will transfer to a business bachelor's degree. The college has a graduation rate of 32%, which is above the 30% median rate for community colleges.
GRCC's distance learners sign in to Blackboard to complete online coursework. They can access a host of student resources, including the Academic Advising & Transfer Center, whose advisors can help students understand how to transfer their credits to another program. Two-thirds of GRCC students are part-time enrollees, and 40% of them study online exclusively.
#5 Mott Community College
- Salary Score: 53
- Online Enrollment: 3,206
- Locations: Flint
- Accreditation: HLC
Mott Community College, a public institution, offers a few online associate degrees and certificate programs. These include an Associate of Applied Science in Accounting degree, an Associate of Applied Science in Business Management degree, and an Associate of Applied Science in Computer Information Systems degree. The college's graduation rate is 20%.
Mott uses the Canvas platform to host interactive online courses. Administrators try to set distance learners up for success using an e-Support tool that directs them to online resources and advisors at the Writing Center, Tutoring Center, Student Success Center, and library. A small majority of Mott students are enrolled in online-only programs and two-thirds of the student population study part time.
#6 Washtenaw Community College
- Salary Score: 44
- Online Enrollment: 6,643
- Locations: Ann Arbor
- Accreditation: HLC
Washtenaw Community College (WCC) is a public school with online associate degrees and certificates. Most associate degrees require 60 credits and feature business majors, such as accounting, occupational studies, and retail management. Students can complete these programs in two years while studying full time.
WCC uses the Blackboard learning management system to deliver its online coursework in flexible formats. Some classes may have set meeting times. The student-to-faculty ratio is 17-1. Financial aid and scholarships are available alongside tuition savings programs for Michigan residents. Online students can take advantage of academic advising and remote tutoring services. WCC is a part of the Michigan Transfer Agreement, which means the general education core of its associate degrees can be transferred to a four-year university in Michigan.
#7 Mid Michigan College
- Salary Score: 28
- Online Enrollment: 910
- Locations: Harrison
- Accreditation: HLC
Mid Michigan College (MMC) is a public college with online associate degrees and training credentials. Associate majors are available in business management, early childhood education, administrative assistant, and computer information systems. A minimum of 60 credits are required to earn an associate degree, which full-time students can complete in two years. All applicants are accepted into MMC, with 28% reaching graduation.
MMC used the Moodle learning management system for its online coursework. Classes can be taken synchronously through real-time video discussions or asynchronously through the HyFlex format. The student-to-faculty ratio is 25-1. Financial aid and scholarships are available. Student services include academic advising, online libraries, tutoring, and technical support. MMC is known for offering additional online support services through writing, reading, math, and science labs, where students can make appointments to receive virtual assistance.
#8 St Clair County Community College
- Salary Score: N/A
- Online Enrollment: 1,412
- Locations: Port Huron
- Accreditation: HLC
St Clair County Community College (SC4) is a public college that offers online associate degrees and undergraduate courses. Majors range from the humanities and social sciences to computer information systems and marketing. Associate degrees require a minimum of 60 credits to graduate, which full-time students can accomplish in approximately two years. All students are accepted for enrollment and 25% reach graduation.
SC4 uses the Canvas learning management system for its coursework. The student-to-faculty ratio is 16-1. Financial aid and scholarships are available. Online tutoring sessions and academic advising sessions are also available alongside Canvas training orientation. SC4 is known for having a diverse socioeconomic student body, with 45% of students receiving income-based grants.
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