Nonprofit Management Degree Programs in Grand Rapids, MI (2026)

Quick answer: The Grand Rapids metro employs about 750 social and community service managers (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing is set at the state level, through employers in your target sector on preferred credentials.

Compare nonprofit management programs enrolling now:

Licensing

Licensing is a state matter, not a city one. Nonprofit management is not licensed. Some professionals pursue voluntary fundraising or nonprofit-leadership certificates, and employers genuinely vary in how much weight they give them - board and program experience usually counts for more.

See the Michigan licensing and pay overview for the statewide picture, and confirm current requirements with employers in your target sector on preferred credentials.

Schools Near You

Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.

How we rank schools – graduation rate, graduate earnings, cost and retention. Advertising plays no part.

This page lists 4 schools within 78 miles, closest group first, then ordered by BOC Score with the highest at the top. 4 of them carry a score.

Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate how often students finish
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry whether it paid off
25%
Average net price what students actually pay after aid; lower ranks higher
20%
Retention rate how many come back for year two
15%
Fully online availability whether you can study while working
10%

Scores come from IPEDS (2024) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are for all graduates of a school, not one program, so treat them as a signal about the institution rather than about this subject. Sponsored listings are paid placements and are labelled as such; they are separate from this ranking and never change it. Read the full methodology.

#1

Andrews University

Berrien Springs, MI 77.6 miles away BOC Score 70.4
Tuition $35,056 - $45,218
Contact
  • 4150 Administration Drive, Room 136 Berrien Springs, MI 49104
  • (800) 253-2874
Key stats
  • Admission rate: 81.8%
  • Graduation rate: 68.8%
  • Programs offered: 14
  • Annual completions: 93
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $60,517 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#2

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, MI 47.0 miles away BOC Score 63.3
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 35
  • Annual completions: 974
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $62,885 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#3

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, MI 62.1 miles away BOC Score 60.7
Tuition $14,760 - $30,681
Contact
Key stats
  • Admission rate: 89.8%
  • Graduation rate: 60.4%
  • Programs offered: 36
  • Annual completions: 1553
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $61,298 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

Cornerstone University

Grand Rapids, MI 3.3 miles away BOC Score 56.4
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 61.7% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 7
  • Annual completions: 70
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $53,010 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

What Social and Community Service Managers Earn in Grand Rapids

Social and Community Service Managers in the Grand Rapids area earn a median $84,280 per year, above the national median of $80,390 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Nonprofit Management Pay in Grand Rapids, MI

MetricGrand Rapids metroMichiganNational
Median annual wage$84,280$85,500$80,390
10th percentile$53,920$53,100$53,150
25th percentile$64,640$64,190$64,290
75th percentile$100,770$102,090$103,200
90th percentile$119,820$127,910$132,260
Employment7506,320209,330
Location quotient0.93-1.00

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Metro figures cover the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metropolitan statistical area.

What the Numbers Say About This Market

The Grand Rapids median of $84,280 is above the national median of $80,390, and below the Michigan statewide median of $85,500 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

The metro’s location quotient of 0.93 means social and community service managers are less concentrated here than in the average U.S. labor market (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Higher concentration generally means more employers competing for the same people, and an easier job change later.

Nonprofit employment tracks where foundations, health systems, universities and government grantees are headquartered, which favors state capitals and larger metros.

Other Michigan Metro Areas

Metro areaMedian annual wageEmployment
Detroit$86,4502,230
Ann Arbor$92,240280
Flint$82,530270
Kalamazoo$90,220220
Saginaw$81,610130
Battle Creek$92,650120
Traverse City$78,420110
Muskegon$95,670100

Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025.


Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do social and community service managers make in Grand Rapids?

The median annual wage for social and community service managers in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area is $84,280, above the national median of $80,390 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

How many social and community service managers work in the Grand Rapids area?

The Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area employs about 750 social and community service managers (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Do social and community service managers in Grand Rapids need a license?

Licensing is handled at state level rather than by city. Nonprofit management is not licensed. Some professionals pursue voluntary fundraising or nonprofit-leadership certificates, and employers genuinely vary in how much weight they give them - board and program experience usually counts for more. Confirm current requirements with employers in your target sector on preferred credentials.

Can I study nonprofit management online from Grand Rapids?

The academic portion of these programs is widely available online for working adults, while labs, clinical hours or supervised field work are completed in person. Check that the program's accreditation satisfies employers in your target sector on preferred credentials.

Is Grand Rapids a better market than the rest of Michigan?

The Grand Rapids metro median is $84,280 against a statewide median of $85,500 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Compare that gap with the difference in living costs before treating it as a raise.

Sources

  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Social and Community Service Managers (SOC 11-9151), national, state and metropolitan estimates
  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.