Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Jackson College

Jackson College's liberal arts associate degree produces earnings that trail both state and national benchmarks—$26,696 versus Michigan's $28,150 median and the national figure of $27,248. More concerning, graduates here earn roughly $10,000 less than peers at Oakland Community College or Grand Rapids Community College, placing this program in just the 40th percentile among Michigan schools. For a two-year degree in a broad field like liberal arts, where many students aim to transfer or build foundational skills, starting behind the state average isn't ideal.

The debt picture offers some relief: at $11,750, it's manageable and actually slightly below Michigan's median for this program. The 0.44 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than half their first-year salary, which is reasonable territory for a two-year degree. With over a third of students receiving Pell grants, the lower debt burden particularly matters for the working-class students Jackson College serves.

The question for parents is whether this program justifies its cost when stronger-performing community colleges exist elsewhere in Michigan. If location or transfer agreements make Jackson College the practical choice, the debt stays controllable. But families with flexibility should compare outcomes at the state's top performers—the earnings gap could mean $40,000+ in additional income over just four years.