Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technology at Dorsey College

Dorsey's certificate program delivers relatively low debt for the electrical maintenance field, but graduates see their earnings slip backward after the first year. Starting at $34,629—which matches the Michigan median and lands in the 60th percentile statewide—graduates typically earn about $4,400 less by year four. That backward trajectory is unusual in skilled trades, where experience typically commands higher wages.

The positive story here is debt management: at $13,000, graduates carry significantly less than the national median of $8,709—wait, actually they carry *more* than the national median by about $4,300. However, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38 means the burden remains manageable in the first year. With 61% of students receiving Pell grants, this program serves a financially vulnerable population, making that moderate debt load more concerning when paired with declining earnings.

The earnings decline suggests graduates may be shifting to lower-paying roles, leaving the field, or facing limited advancement within their initial positions. For parents, this means the certificate provides entry-level access to electrical maintenance work, but you should verify what specific certifications or skills would position your child for the higher-earning roles (the 75th percentile nationally is $39,936). The program gets students working quickly with reasonable debt, but the four-year outlook raises questions about long-term career trajectory that warrant conversation with the school's career services office.