Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Henry Ford College
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
hfcc.eduAnalysis
Henry Ford College's Liberal Arts certificate presents a puzzling contradiction that parents need to understand before committing. The immediate post-graduation earnings of $51,663 rank in the 95th percentile nationally—genuinely exceptional for a certificate program that typically earns students just $27,000. This matches Michigan's median for the program, placing it solidly at the 60th percentile statewide.
The concern is what happens next. Earnings drop to $38,363 by year four, a 26% decline that's unusual and suggests graduates may be taking these initial high-paying jobs in sectors where advancement without a bachelor's degree hits a ceiling. The $24,750 debt load—considerably higher than both the national median ($9,375) and state median ($14,750)—amplifies this problem. You're paying premium debt for what appears to be a short-term earnings boost rather than a sustainable career foundation.
For families where a certificate is the right educational path and immediate earnings matter most, those first-year numbers are hard to ignore. But the declining trajectory means this functions more as a stopgap than a destination credential. If your child plans to continue to a bachelor's degree, that initial debt will compound. If they don't, they'll likely face income stagnation in their mid-twenties with above-average debt to service.
Where Henry Ford College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities certificate's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Henry Ford College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Henry Ford College | $51,663 | $38,363 | -26% |
| Indiana University-Bloomington | $33,236 | $52,061 | +57% |
| San Diego Miramar College | $31,804 | $43,527 | +37% |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | $40,717 | $43,040 | +6% |
| Santiago Canyon College | $31,050 | $42,978 | +38% |
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities certificate's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Henry Ford CollegeDearborn | $3,460 | $51,663 | $38,363 | $24,750 | 0.48 |
 Purdue University-Main CampusWest Lafayette | $9,992 | $79,921 | — | $17,917 | 0.22 |
 University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeMilwaukee | $10,020 | $40,717 | $43,040 | $29,333 | 0.72 |
 Bunker Hill Community CollegeBoston | $5,520 | $38,780 | $37,733 | — | — |
 City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X CollegeChicago | $4,380 | $36,908 | — | $17,700 | 0.48 |
 Edison State Community CollegePiqua | $4,379 | $36,016 | $34,999 | $12,799 | 0.36 |
| National Median | — | $27,024 | — | $9,375 | 0.35 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities graduates
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.
Sample Size: Based on 55 graduates with reported earnings and 106 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.