Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at Henry Ford College

The small sample size here is a critical warning flag—with fewer than 30 graduates tracked, these numbers could easily swing wildly year to year. That said, the data tells a concerning story: first-year earnings of $17,481 barely clear part-time minimum wage, and even after four years, graduates earn $27,377, which is tight for someone carrying $17,365 in debt.

The state context reveals something interesting: this program sits at the 60th percentile among Michigan teacher education programs, yet ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally. That gap suggests Michigan's teacher education associate degree landscape overall struggles compared to other states. The 57% earnings growth shows clear progression, but you're still starting from an extremely low base that makes loan repayment challenging in those early years.

For a program serving many Pell-eligible students (45% of the college), taking on $17,365 in debt for these earnings creates real financial stress. Unless your child plans to immediately continue to a bachelor's degree—where teacher salaries become more viable—this associate's stands alone as a risky investment. If teaching is the goal, look for four-year programs or pathways with guaranteed admission agreements that don't leave your child with associate-level debt and associate-level earnings. The data is too thin and the early earnings too low to recommend this route confidently.