Head-to-head · 2026
Alpena Community College vs Macomb Community College
Compare average net price ($3,320 at Alpena Community College; $1,618 at Macomb Community College), ROI score (27.44 vs 64.27), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($36,442 vs $41,596), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Alpena Community College; Open / not reported at Macomb 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 | Macomb Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 27.44 | 64.27 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $3,320 | $1,618 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $13,280 | $6,472 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $5,250 | $3,660 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $8,010 | $8,370 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $36,442 | $41,596 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 51.5% ✓ | 18% |
| Retention rate | 50% | 61.3% ✓ |
| Median debt | $9,024 | $6,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 732 | 13,876 |
| 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 | Macomb Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $590 | -$353 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $897 | -$112 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $2,630 | $2,521 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $6,811 ✓ | $8,336 |
| Family income $110k+ | $10,623 ✓ | $10,658 |
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 | Macomb Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 7.7% | 46.2% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 7% | 5.1% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 6% | 1.4% |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | 2.3% | 3.8% |
| Precision Metal Working | 3.3% | 2.4% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 3% | 1.5% |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | 2.7% | 1.2% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 0.3% | 3.4% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Macomb Community College reports the lower average net price by $1,702 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $6,808 difference over four years ($6,472 vs $13,280).
Macomb Community College reports $5,154 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($41,596 vs $36,442). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 50% at Alpena Community College and 61.3% at Macomb Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $9,024 vs $6,000, 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
Related college comparisons
Promoted matchups involving the same colleges or other leading schools in their states.
Frequently asked
Alpena Community College vs Macomb Community College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Macomb Community College is cheaper — average net price $1,618 per year vs $3,320 at Alpena Community College. The annual difference of $1,702 adds up to about $6,808 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Macomb Community College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $41,596 vs $36,442 at Alpena Community College. The gap in the federal data is $5,154. 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.