Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Henry Ford College

The dramatic earnings jump—from $17,369 to $44,125 over four years—initially looks promising, but there's a troubling reality here: Henry Ford College's graduates start near the bottom of Michigan's allied health programs, ranking in just the 10th percentile statewide. Even after four years, their earnings trail what graduates from Muskegon Community College or Washtenaw Community College make in their first year.

The debt picture is manageable at $19,750, tracking close to state and national medians. But when your first-year earnings are barely above minimum wage, even average debt becomes a burden. The real question is why this program's initial outcomes lag so far behind—graduates from Grand Rapids Community College start at nearly double the earnings, and most Michigan programs in this field offer stronger immediate earning power.

With fewer than 30 graduates in the dataset, these numbers may not represent the full picture. However, the pattern is concerning enough that parents should investigate what's different about Henry Ford's program. Are graduates entering lower-paying specialties? Is job placement weaker? Given that 45% of students receive Pell grants, starting at $17,369 could mean real financial strain for families who can least afford it. Before committing, compare this program directly against Washtenaw or Delta College—both offer similar accessibility with substantially better early earnings.