Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Kellogg Community College

Kellogg Community College's liberal arts associate degree comes with a notable contradiction: graduates earn well above most programs nationally (85th percentile), yet their incomes actually drop slightly between years one and four. That earnings slide from $32,616 to $31,533 is unusual and worth understanding—it suggests many graduates may be using this degree as a stepping stone to further education rather than as a direct path to career advancement.

The $15,057 debt load is higher than both state and national norms, though the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46 remains manageable. Among Michigan's 49 programs, this one lands in the 60th percentile—solidly middle of the pack for the state but still $3,500 above the Michigan median. However, several nearby community colleges deliver similar or better earnings with presumably lower debt burdens, including Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo Valley.

If your child plans to transfer to a four-year program, this could work as a foundation—the strong first-year earnings suggest graduates are employable if they need to work while continuing their education. But if they're treating this as a terminal degree, the flat earnings trajectory and above-average debt make this a harder sell compared to Michigan alternatives that cost less or pay more.