Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Dorsey College-Saginaw

This Dorsey College-Saginaw nursing program shows a concerning pattern that should give you serious pause. While graduates start with decent earnings of $41,283—close to state and national averages—their income actually drops by 35% to just $26,833 by year four. This "early peak" trajectory is highly unusual for nursing programs and suggests graduates may struggle to advance in their careers or maintain stable employment over time.

The debt picture offers some relief, with graduates borrowing $19,941—significantly less than what students typically take on nationally for these programs. However, even this relatively modest debt becomes problematic when paired with declining earnings. Among Michigan's 43 nursing programs, this one ranks in just the 40th percentile for earnings, while top programs in the state like Schoolcraft Community College produce graduates earning nearly double at $75,104.

The 92% Pell Grant rate indicates this program serves a very economically disadvantaged student population, which adds context but doesn't change the fundamental concern. Given the robust sample size of 100+ graduates, these earnings patterns are reliable indicators of program outcomes. You'd be better served looking at Michigan's community college nursing programs, which consistently deliver stronger long-term earning potential without the troubling income decline this program shows.