Head-to-head · 2026
Alpena Community College vs Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Compare average net price ($3,320 at Alpena Community College; $2,979 at Kalamazoo Valley Community College), ROI score (27.44 vs 32.41), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($36,442 vs $38,618), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Alpena Community College; Open / not reported at Kalamazoo Valley Community College) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Alpena Community College | Kalamazoo Valley Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 27.44 | 32.41 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $3,320 | $2,979 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $13,280 | $11,916 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $5,250 | $4,144 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $8,010 | $9,094 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $36,442 | $38,618 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 51.5% ✓ | 28.2% |
| Retention rate | 50% | 64% ✓ |
| Median debt | $9,024 ✓ | $9,699 |
| Enrollment | 732 | 4,997 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Alpena Community College | Kalamazoo Valley Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $590 ✓ | $1,290 |
| Family income $30–48k | $897 ✓ | $1,859 |
| Family income $48–75k | $2,630 ✓ | $4,119 |
| Family income $75–110k | $6,811 ✓ | $6,989 |
| Family income $110k+ | $10,623 | $8,353 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Alpena Community College | Kalamazoo Valley Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 7.7% | 48.6% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 7% | 8.4% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 6% | 3.7% |
| Precision Metal Working | 3.3% | 2.6% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 3% | 2.2% |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | 2.3% | 2.1% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 2.7% | 1.5% |
| Engineering, General | 1% | 2.7% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Kalamazoo Valley Community College reports the lower average net price by $341 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $1,364 difference over four years ($11,916 vs $13,280).
Kalamazoo Valley Community College reports $2,176 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($38,618 vs $36,442). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 50% at Alpena Community College and 64% at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $9,024 vs $9,699, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Alpena Community College vs Kalamazoo Valley Community College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Kalamazoo Valley Community College is cheaper — average net price $2,979 per year vs $3,320 at Alpena Community College. The annual difference of $341 adds up to about $1,364 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Kalamazoo Valley Community College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $38,618 vs $36,442 at Alpena Community College. The gap in the federal data is $2,176. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.