Accounting at Kirtland Community College

Similar accounting associate's programs in Michigan suggest first-year earnings around $36,181—right at the state median but below the national figure of $37,000. What matters more here is the estimated debt of $13,248, which sits well below both the Michigan median ($17,621) and the national median ($19,354) for this credential. That creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37, meaning your child would owe roughly a third of their first-year salary.

The challenge is that these figures come from peer programs across Michigan, not from tracking Kirtland's own graduates. The small graduate cohort means the Department of Education can't publish specific outcomes for this program. Looking at reported data from Michigan's larger accounting programs—Oakland Community College graduates earn over $40,000, while Baker College and Grand Rapids Community College cluster around $36,000—suggests considerable variation in the field even within the state.

The estimated debt advantage is real and meaningful, potentially saving your child $4,000-6,000 compared to typical Michigan programs. But without knowing where Kirtland's actual outcomes fall within that $35,000-40,000 range seen at comparable schools, you're making this decision with incomplete information. Before committing, ask Kirtland directly about their accounting graduates' job placement rates and typical starting employers—that local employment picture matters more than statewide estimates.