Accounting (Associate's Degree) at Henry Ford College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$36,181

Est. from MI median (3 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$13,248

Est. from MI median (4 programs)

Analysis

Similar accounting programs across Michigan suggest first-year earnings around $36,000, with graduates at nearby Oakland Community College bringing home about $40,000. Henry Ford College's estimated $13,000 debt load—if accurate—would be notably lower than the $17,600 typical for Michigan accounting associate programs and well below the $19,000 national median. That's a meaningful difference: we're talking about saving potentially $4,000-6,000 in debt for comparable career outcomes.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37 looks manageable on paper, translating to monthly payments around $140-150 on a standard repayment plan against an estimated monthly gross income of roughly $3,000. For a school serving a high proportion of Pell-eligible students (45%), keeping debt contained matters enormously. The real question is whether Henry Ford's connections to metro Detroit employers can deliver those mid-$30,000 outcomes—accounting jobs exist in manufacturing hubs, but placement success varies considerably by program.

Here's what parents need to know: the debt picture appears favorable compared to peer programs, but you're relying on estimates drawn from just three Michigan schools for earnings data. Before committing, ask Henry Ford directly about their accounting graduates' job placement rates and starting salaries. If they can match or beat that $36,000 estimate while keeping debt around $13,000, this represents solid value for an entry-level accounting credential.

Where Henry Ford College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all accounting associates's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Michigan

Accounting associates's programs at peer institutions in Michigan (35 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Henry Ford CollegeDearborn	$3,460	$36,181*	—	$13,248*	—
Oakland Community CollegeAuburn Hills	$3,020	$40,424*	$46,109	$21,496*	0.53
Baker CollegeOwosso	$12,810	$36,181*	$38,187	$26,067*	0.72
Grand Rapids Community CollegeGrand Rapids	$4,059	$35,538*	$42,721	$12,750*	0.36
National Median	—	$37,000*	—	$19,354*	0.52

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with accounting graduates

Financial Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Treasurers and Controllers

Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Investment Fund Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate investment strategy or operations for a large pool of liquid assets supplied by institutional investors or individual investors.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial and Investment Analysts

Conduct quantitative analyses of information involving investment programs or financial data of public or private institutions, including valuation of businesses.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Risk Specialists

Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Examiners

Enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. May examine, verify, or authenticate records.

$90,400/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Budget Analysts

Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.

$87,930/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Accountants and Auditors

Examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. Install or advise on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data.

$81,680/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents

Determine tax liability or collect taxes from individuals or business firms according to prescribed laws and regulations.

$59,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks

Compute, classify, and record numerical data to keep financial records complete. Perform any combination of routine calculating, posting, and verifying duties to obtain primary financial data for use in maintaining accounting records. May also check the accuracy of figures, calculations, and postings pertaining to business transactions recorded by other workers.

$49,210/yrJobs growth:Some college, no degree

Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks

Compile and record employee time and payroll data. May compute employees' time worked, production, and commission. May compute and post wages and deductions, or prepare paychecks.

$48,650/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Henry Ford College, approximately 45% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 3 similar programs in MI. Actual outcomes may vary.