Why Greater Grand Rapids

Education

Greater Grand Rapids is home to more than 20 colleges and universities that produce some of the most qualified graduates in the region.

Our workforce is made up of motivated, innovative and highly skilled professionals. With over half of our 1.6M residents under the age of 40, area employers are able to source top candidates from a wide pool of young professionals within our talent pipeline.

West Michigan College Enrollment

More than a third of our residents also go on to post-secondary education, usually at one of our regional colleges and universities. Together, these institutions offer degree-granting, technical, and continuing education to more than 93,500 students from Michigan and around the world.

Institution
2019-2020 Enrollment
Associate and Bachelor Degrees Awarded
Institution
Aquinas College
2019-2020 Enrollment
1,578
Associate and Bachelor Degrees Awarded
290
Institution
Baker College
2019-2020 Enrollment
9,681
Associate and Bachelor Degrees Awarded
1,956
Institution
Calvin University
2019-2020 Enrollment
2,627
Associate and Bachelor Degrees Awarded
208
Institution
Cornerstone University
2019-2020 Enrollment
1,954
Associate and Bachelor Degrees Awarded
175
Institution
Davenport University - W.A. Lettinga Campus
2019-2020 Enrollment
6,097
Associate and Bachelor Degrees Awarded
1,025
Institution
Ferris State University
2019-2020 Enrollment
14,232
Associate and Bachelor Degrees Awarded
3,456
Institution
Ferris State University - Kendall College of Art and Design
2019-2020 Enrollment
823
Associate and Bachelor Degrees Awarded
180
Institution
Grace Christian University
2019-2020 Enrollment
981
Associate and Bachelor Degrees Awarded
139
Institution
Grand Rapids Community College
2019-2020 Enrollment
19,410
Associate and Bachelor Degrees Awarded
1,481
Institution
Grand Valley State University
2019-2020 Enrollment
23,178
Associate and Bachelor Degrees Awarded
4,530
Institution
Hope College
2019-2020 Enrollment
3,143
Associate and Bachelor Degrees Awarded
689
Institution
Kuyper College
2019-2020 Enrollment
161
Associate and Bachelor Degrees Awarded
17
Institution
Michigan State University - West
2019-2020 Enrollment
320
Associate and Bachelor Degrees Awarded
68
Institution
Montcalm Community College
2019-2020 Enrollment
1,963
Associate and Bachelor Degrees Awarded
215
Institution
Muskegon Community College
2019-2020 Enrollment
5,540
Associate and Bachelor Degrees Awarded
483
Institution
Spring Arbor University
2019-2020 Enrollment
1,881
Associate and Bachelor Degrees Awarded
398

Top 10 Degrees by Field (2019)

A list of the top 10 degrees completed at colleges and universities in the Greater Grand Rapids region.

Degree Field
MSA*
West Michigan Region**
Degree Field
Business Management and Marketing
MSA*
3,250
West Michigan Region**
4,067
Degree Field
Health Professions and Related
MSA*
2,615
West Michigan Region**
3,920
Degree Field
Liberal Arts and Sciences
MSA*
1,558
West Michigan Region**
2,089
Degree Field
Education
MSA*
1,003
West Michigan Region**
1,146
Degree Field
Engineering & Engineering-Related Fields
MSA*
526
West Michigan Region**
1,207
Degree Field
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting & Related Protective Services
MSA*
246
West Michigan Region**
727
Degree Field
Public Admin. & Social Service
MSA*
542
West Michigan Region**
666
Degree Field
Visual & Performing Arts
MSA*
395
West Michigan Region**
635
Degree Field
Computer & Information Sciences & Support Services
MSA*
476
West Michigan Region**
618
Degree Field
Psychology
MSA*
573
West Michigan Region**
616

*The MSA consists of the following counties: Kent, Ottawa, Montcalm and Ionia.


**The West Michigan region consists of the following counties: Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, and Ottawa.

Data Source: Emsi - Program Table

Educational Attainment - Grand Rapids MSA

Educational attainment levels of of residents within the Grand Rapids MSA*

*Grand Rapids-Kentwood MSA consists of Kent, Ottawa, Montcalm, and Ionia counties


Data Source: Emsi - Educational Attainment Report

Educational Attainment - West Michigan

Educational attainment levels of of residents within the West Michigan* region.


*West Michigan Region consists of Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, and Ottawa counties.


Data Source: Emsi - Educational Attainment Report