West Michigan Workforce: Education
West Michigan’s regional network of over 20 public universities, as well as 6 regional community colleges, produces some of the most qualified graduates in the country. In West Michigan, we have:
- More than 73,000 students enrolled in local colleges and universities
- Over 30% of our workforce with an associate’s degree or higher
- The 4th highest expenditures globally for higher education
- The 13th highest expenditures globally for primary and secondary education
Educational Attainment
| Educational Attainment |
Regional Population |
% Regional Population |
| High school graduate |
273,178 |
31.7% |
| Some college or associate degree |
274,583 |
31.9% |
| Bachelor's degree |
144,408 |
16.8% |
| Graduate or professional degree |
69,095 |
8.0% |
Source: Claritas
College Enrollment
| College/University/Technical School |
Fall 2010 Enrollment |
| Aquinas College |
2,250 |
| Baker College |
5,013 |
| Calvin College |
4,224 |
| Calvin Theological Seminary |
305 |
| Central Michigan University - GR |
200 |
| Thomas M. Cooley Law School |
445 |
| Everest Institute |
610 |
| Cornerstone University & Seminary |
2,698 |
| Davenport University - Western Region |
3,415 |
| Ferris State University - Grand Rapids |
1,168 |
| Ferris State University - Kendall College of Art & Design |
1,180 |
| Grace Bible College |
160 |
| Grand Rapids Community College |
15,247 |
| Grand Valley State University |
23,464 |
| Hope College |
3,226 |
| ITT Technical Institute |
668 |
| Kuyper College |
300 |
| Michigan State University - West |
160 |
| Muskegon Community College |
4,665 |
| Northwood University |
167 |
| Spring Arbor College |
83 |
| University of Phoenix |
1,800 |
| Western Michigan University - Grand Rapids |
1,658 |
| Total Enrollment |
73,106 |
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business development team to receive other regional information specific to your business location or expansion project.