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.
Top 10 Degrees by Field (2019)
A list of the top 10 degrees completed at colleges and universities in the Greater Grand Rapids region.
*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