Business Administration, Management and Operations at Cleary University

The estimated $27,750 in debt for this associate's degree—nearly double what similar Michigan business programs typically carry—creates a challenging starting point. Based on comparable programs across the state, first-year earnings around $34,837 would mean dedicating roughly 80% of a year's gross income to debt repayment, a ratio that becomes difficult to manage on entry-level wages. By contrast, the typical Michigan business associate's program carries just $14,070 in median debt against similar earnings.

What makes this particularly striking is the competitive landscape. Michigan's community colleges—Macomb, Lansing, Grand Rapids—are placing business graduates into jobs paying $41,000 to $43,000 while carrying debt loads at or below the state median. These aren't programs in different markets; they're direct alternatives within the same state, many accessible to the same prospective students. The gap between estimated earnings at Cleary and reported outcomes at these community colleges runs $6,000 to $8,000 annually.

For parents weighing this investment, the math suggests exploring those community college options first. Even if Cleary's actual outcomes prove better than peer-program estimates suggest, closing a nearly $14,000 debt gap would require significantly higher earnings than what similar programs produce. The 50% admission rate and reasonable Pell enrollment indicate Cleary serves a genuine student population, but the estimated financial picture points toward more affordable pathways to the same credential.