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Head-to-head comparison

Montcalm Community College vs Bay Mills Community College: which has better ROI?

Public, Sidney MI · vs · Public, Brimley MI

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A Sidney, MI

Montcalm Community College

Net price / year
$7,280
Earnings, 10 years
$35,499
Payback
No payback

Option B Brimley, MI

Bay Mills Community College

Net price / year
$3,073
Earnings, 10 years
$30,048
Payback
No payback
The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Montcalm Community College comes closer — median earnings $35,499 against a $14,560 total, vs $30,048 at Bay Mills Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureMontcalm Community CollegeBay Mills Community College
Net price / yr$7,280$3,073
Total net cost$14,560$12,292
Median earnings, 10 yrs$35,499$30,048
Median debt$16,500—
Payback——
20-year net return-$271,780-$378,532

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

The short answer

Which is cheaper, Montcalm Community College or Bay Mills Community College?

Bay Mills Community College, at $3,073 a year after aid versus $7,280 — a gap of $4,207 a year, or $2,268 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

The short answer

Do Montcalm Community College or Bay Mills Community College graduates earn more?

Montcalm Community College graduates report a median $35,499 ten years after entry, $5,451 more than the $30,048 at Bay Mills Community College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

The short answer

Which graduates more of its students?

31% of students finish at Montcalm Community College, against 30% at Bay Mills Community College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Montcalm Community College vs Bay Mills Community College: frequently asked questions

Is Montcalm Community College or Bay Mills Community College a better value?
Montcalm Community College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Montcalm Community College or Bay Mills Community College?
Bay Mills Community College: $3,073/yr net price after aid versus $7,280/yr at Montcalm Community College — a difference of $4,207 a year, or about $2,268 over four years.
Do Montcalm Community College or Bay Mills Community College graduates earn more?
Montcalm Community College graduates earn a median $35,499 ten years after entry, versus $30,048 at Bay Mills Community College — a $5,451 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.