Colleges Near Big Rapids, Michigan
Looking for information about the best colleges and universities serving Big Rapids? Here's your guide to the top schools offering degrees to students in the area, including institutions located within 50 miles of Big Rapids, Michigan.
There are at least 19 colleges serving the area, including 5 private colleges and universities, 4 public colleges and universities, and 10 community colleges offering 2-year degrees.
The Best Adult Colleges & Careers Guide provides a breakdown of the colleges serving Big Rapids, with details about cost, enrollment, student type and degree offerings. Click here to learn more about the guide.
Big Rapids, Michigan Colleges by the Numbers
Associate, bachelor's, masters, and doctoral degree completions at institutions near Big Rapids, Michigan have been declining over the past 5 years. In 2024, students completed 17,176 doctorates at colleges and universities near Big Rapids. That was a decrease of 21% from completions reported in 2020.
Schools with Degree Completions
Est. Total Completions in 2024
Est. Completions (Last 5 Years)
Sponsored
Top School For Adults & Online Students
Franklin University is a top choice for transfer students, online learners and adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,111
Completions By Degree
2,605
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Private Colleges & Universities Offering Degrees Near Big Rapids, Michigan
There are at least 5 schools offering degrees near Big Rapids, Michigan, and 5 are four-year private colleges or universities where about 7,765 undergraduate students were enrolled. In 2024, a total of 3,359 degrees were completed at private colleges and universities, including 2,605 that were offered online.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Franklin offers more than 50 online bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctoral programs in the Big Rapids, Michigan area. Franklin University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are adults and all programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Franklin University. In 2024, 1,602 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 98 associate degrees, 840 master's degrees, and 65 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,111
Completions By Degree
2,605
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Kuyper College is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Kuyper College. In 2024, 19 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 1 associate degree, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
119
Completions By Degree
20
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Alma College is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Alma College. In 2024, 348 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 9 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,208
Completions By Degree
357
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Kuyper College is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Kuyper College. In 2024, 19 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 1 associate degree, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
119
Completions By Degree
20
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Alma College is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Alma College. In 2024, 348 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 9 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,208
Completions By Degree
357
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Public Colleges & Universities Near Big Rapids, Michigan
There are 4 four-year public colleges located near Big Rapids, Michigan. About 36,006 students were enrolled in undergraduate programs, and about 13,930 degrees were completed at public colleges near Big Rapids. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Central Michigan University is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Central Michigan University. In 2024, 2,539 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 1,456 master's degrees, and 234 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
9,916
Completions By Degree
4,229
Est. Online Degree Availability
49%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Central Michigan University is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Central Michigan University. In 2024, 2,539 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 1,456 master's degrees, and 234 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
9,916
Completions By Degree
4,229
Est. Online Degree Availability
49%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Ferris State University is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Ferris State University. In 2024, 1,672 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 750 associate degrees, 176 master's degrees, and 138 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
8,087
Completions By Degree
2,736
Est. Online Degree Availability
19%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Ferris State University is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Ferris State University. In 2024, 1,672 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 750 associate degrees, 176 master's degrees, and 138 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
8,087
Completions By Degree
2,736
Est. Online Degree Availability
19%
Community Colleges Near Big Rapids, Michigan
There are 10 community colleges near Big Rapids, Michigan where students can earn 2-year associate degrees. In 2024, about 13,196 students were enrolled in undergraduate courses at community colleges near Big Rapids, and about 2,492 associate degrees were completed.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
West Shore Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
651
Completions By Degree
121
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
West Shore Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
651
Completions By Degree
121
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Mid Michigan College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
2,002
Completions By Degree
422
Est. Online Degree Availability
55%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Muskegon Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
2,781
Completions By Degree
498
Est. Online Degree Availability
3%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and no programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
124
Completions By Degree
15
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Mid Michigan College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
2,002
Completions By Degree
422
Est. Online Degree Availability
55%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Muskegon Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
2,781
Completions By Degree
498
Est. Online Degree Availability
3%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Montcalm Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,040
Completions By Degree
190
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and no programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
124
Completions By Degree
15
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Montcalm Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,040
Completions By Degree
190
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Affordable Colleges Near Big Rapids, Michigan
Wondering what you can expect to pay for a degree near Big Rapids, Michigan? According to undergraduate tuition data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, the average tuition at Big Rapids-area's 4-year nonprofit schools is $31,443. The average tuition at similar 4-year for-profit schools near Big Rapids is N/A, while tuition at 2-year online colleges and universities is N/A.
4-Year Nonprofit
4-Year For-Profit
2-Year
Accredited Colleges Serving Big Rapids, Michigan
Earning a college degree is an investment — and earning a degree from an institutionally accredited university is one of the best ways to ensure your education is of high quality. Institutionally accredited universities are held to rigorous standards by state and regional bodies and undergo regular reviews to verify that their processes and academic programs meet the proper standards.
Wondering if a certain college or university offering degree programs in Big Rapids, Michigan is institutionally accredited? View a list of institutionally accredited colleges and universities serving Big Rapids, Michigan here. We've made it easy to find your school by breaking down the list by school type.
- Franklin University
- Alma College
- Alma College
- Kuyper College
- Kuyper College
- West Shore Community College
- West Shore Community College
- Mid Michigan College
- Muskegon Community College
- Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College
- Mid Michigan College
- Muskegon Community College
- Montcalm Community College
- Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College
- Montcalm Community College
Big Rapids, Michigan Job Market & Opportunities
What happens after you earn your college degree in Big Rapids? What's the Big Rapids, Michigan job market outlook? Get a snapshot of jobs and careers, including annual job openings, median earnings and more.
In 2024, there were about 751,904 jobs in the Big Rapids, Michigan area. From 2023-2024, job growth in Big Rapids was below the national average, at 1.2%. There were 93,127 job openings in the area. In terms of earnings, workers in Big Rapids do worse than the national average, with an average hourly pay of $20.67.