Business Administration, Management and Operations at Glen Oaks Community College

Michigan's community college business programs show a troubling pattern: while comparable programs suggest first-year earnings around $34,837, top-performing schools like Macomb and Lansing regularly place graduates into jobs paying $43,000 or more—nearly $9,000 above what peer programs typically produce. That gap matters when you're carrying $13,925 in debt, even with a manageable 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio.

The estimated figures here come from similar business programs at Michigan community colleges, since Glen Oaks's graduate sample is too small for the Department of Education to report. What's concerning isn't the debt level itself—it aligns closely with both state and national medians—but rather the opportunity cost. Your student could attend a comparable community college in Michigan and potentially earn thousands more annually right out of the gate, which compounds significantly over a career.

For an associate's degree in business, location and employment networks matter enormously. Glen Oaks serves rural southwestern Michigan, which may limit immediate job prospects compared to programs near larger employment centers. Before committing, your family should verify what nearby employers actually hire Glen Oaks business graduates and at what salaries. If those real outcomes match the stronger programs, this could work. If they don't, those extra hours commuting to Lansing or Grand Rapids might pay for themselves quickly.