Health and Medical Administrative Services at Dorsey College

The $21,780 starting salary from Dorsey's health administration certificate falls roughly $6,000 below Michigan's median for this program and nearly $6,000 below the national average—landing in just the 10th percentile nationally. Compare that to community colleges like Schoolcraft or even other for-profit programs like Ross Medical Education Centers across Michigan, where graduates consistently earn $28,000-$29,000 to start. While Dorsey serves a predominantly low-income population (61% Pell recipients), the financial math matters: even with modest debt of $16,166, you're looking at debt equal to three-quarters of that first year's salary.

The 23% earnings growth to $26,680 by year four helps close the gap somewhat, but your child would still be earning less than what typical graduates from this program make in their first year elsewhere. Michigan has 46 schools offering this credential, and most deliver better initial outcomes. Given that healthcare administration roles often require just a certificate or associate degree, the credential itself should open doors—but the earning power coming out of Dorsey specifically lags behind comparable options.

If Dorsey is the most accessible option due to location or scheduling, understand you're trading convenience for lower initial earnings. But if other community colleges or vocational programs are realistic alternatives, the $7,000-$8,000 annual earnings difference adds up quickly when you're starting from a modest baseline.