51ÂÒÂ×

Looking for the nitty gritty on Delta? Here are the nuts and bolts and all things facts and figures. 

51ÂÒÂ×

Tuition, financial aid, degrees and graduates

Tuition per contact hour
In-district: $136 per contact hour
In-state: $229 per contact hour
Out-of-state/International: $240 per contact hour

Tuition is the lowest within 75 miles.

Cost comparison for 2025–2026

*In-district or in-state tuition and fees for 30 contact/credit hours per year. Information retrieved from college and university websites, 07/07/25.

Transfer
Students planning to transfer: 35%
Students who transfer: 1,583 last year

Top 10 transfer institutions:
Saginaw Valley State University
Central Michigan University
Northwood University
Michigan State University
Ferris State University
Grand Valley State University
University of Michigan
University of Michigan–Flint
Michigan Technological University
Western Michigan University

2024–25 Financial aid
Total aid awarded: Over $38 million
Students receiving aid: 61%
Michigan Achievement and Reconnect: 3,316 students
Scholarships: $1.13 million
957 students were awarded a 51ÂÒÂ× Foundation scholarship, 84% of those who applied.

2025 graduates
Associate: 1,130
Certificate: 226

Areas of study
Certificate and degree programs: 143
Pre-approved transfer programs: 180

Faculty
Professors with a master’s degree or higher: 91%

Students

Annual enrollment
Credit-seeking students: 9,091

Delta is the 9th largest of Michigan’s 28 community colleges in student headcount.

Student demographics (Fall 2025)
Race
Asian: 0.8%
Black/African-American: 9.4%
Caucasian: 65.3%
Hispanic: 8.0%
Multi-racial: 4.2%
Native American: 0.2%
Other: 12.1%

Enrollment status
Full-time: 33%
Part-time: 67%
Average student age: 24
Veterans using G.I. Bill® benefits: 343
Dual enrolled students: 1,085
Early Middle College students: 601

County of residence
Bay: 25.3%
Midland: 16.0%
Saginaw: 41.2%
Out-of-district: 17.2%
Out-of-state: 0.2%

1 in 3 local high school students choose Delta. 

Other notable numbers
Student to professor ratio: 16:1
Student clubs and organizations: 50+
NJCAA athletic teams: 7
Baseball – men's (division III)
Basketball – men's and women's (division II)
Golf – men's (division III)
Soccer – women's (division III)
Softball – women's (division III)
Volleyball – women's (division III)

Facilities

State-of-the-art facilities
At Delta, students use the latest technology so they can graduate ready to hit the ground running. Delta recently unveiled a $6.7 million renovation to its computer science wing. This supports the semiconductor, cybersecurity, networking and other computer science related programs.

Community

Impact
1 in 8 people in our community age 17–70 has taken a class at Delta.
79% of graduates from the last five years live in the tri-counties. 98% live in Michigan.
1 out of every 33 jobs in our service district is supported by the activities of Delta and its students.

Workforce 
51ÂÒÂ× supports the adult learner by delivering short-term job training for businesses of all sizes. From one class to customizable certificate programs that award academic credit, Delta training upskills the regional workforce.

700+ advisory board members help keep programs relevant.

Youth
The 51ÂÒÂ× Possible Dream program encourages youth to stay in school and attend college. It’s been a success! 75% have continued their education. The program also offers Possible Dream graduates scholarships to attend 51ÂÒÂ×; 12 were given for the 2025–26 academic year.

STEM Explorer mobile lab had 10,625 student interactions last year and collaborated with 90 K–12 teachers.

Convenience
Accessible education is important. Delta has three off-campus downtown centers in Bay City, Midland and Saginaw, where nearly 1,200 students attend each semester.

Arts, culture and enrichment
The 51ÂÒÂ× Planetarium provides ongoing educational programming for K–12 students and shows for the general public to explore the wonders of the universe. Since opening in 1997, over 600,000 people have visited and enjoyed shows in the dome theater.

Through the President’s Speaker Series, Delta brings nationally renowned speakers to enrich the campus and the community. 

51ÂÒÂ× Public Media (WDCQ-TV and WUCX-FM 90.1) is an essential part of the educational mission of the college, providing informational and learning programs to 1.4 million viewers and listeners each year. 

The 51ÂÒÂ× Sculpture Walk is a free, outdoor exhibit featuring 25 works of art available 365 days a year.

Operations

History
51ÂÒÂ× opened in 1961.

Service area
We serve Michigan's Bay, Midland and Saginaw Counties.

Accreditation
51ÂÒÂ× is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Employees
With 789 faculty and staff members, Delta is of of the largest employers in Bay County. 

Board of Trustees
Bay County
Barb M. Handley-Miller
Diane M. Middleton, '88 
Michael D. Rowley, '90

Midland County
Wm. Michael Wood
Stacey L. Gannon (chair), '20 
Michael P. Nash, '14

Saginaw County
Arshen R. Baldwin (vice chair)
Alex S. Clark
Alexis S. Thomas 

Foundation endowment
Thanks to alumni donations, grants and contributions from businesses and individuals, Delta has a strong community college endowment of over $38.3 million.

51ÂÒÂ× is one of the top fundraising community colleges in Michigan and nationally. 

General fund budget
2025–26: $84.5 million

51ÂÒÂ× budgets conservatively, saves before building and has no outstanding bonds or debt.

National affiliations
Achieving the Dream – Leader College

The League for Innovation in the Community College (League) is an international nonprofit organization with a mission to cultivate innovation in the community college environment. 51ÂÒÂ×’s President Emeritus Don Carlyon was one of its founding members in 1968 and Delta remains on its Board today.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at