Business Administration, Management and Operations at Macomb Community College

Macomb Community College's business associate degree outperforms 91% of similar programs nationally—impressive at first glance—but the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means a handful of successful students could skew these numbers significantly. Still, even if the true performance is more modest, the fundamentals look solid: graduates earn $43,491 their first year, well above both the national median ($33,977) and Michigan's state median ($34,836). The debt load of $9,500 is notably lower than typical peers, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.22—you'd pay off about 22% of your first year's salary, which is manageable territory.

The 60th percentile ranking within Michigan tells a more nuanced story. While this program beats the state average, several Michigan community colleges—including Lansing, Grand Rapids, and Washtenaw—report slightly higher earnings. That said, Macomb graduates start at competitive salaries and see earnings grow to nearly $47,000 by year four. For an associate degree from a community college serving many Pell Grant recipients, this represents accessible workforce preparation without crushing debt.

The small sample caveat matters here. These numbers could shift substantially with more data. But if your student is considering a two-year business degree in Michigan and wants to minimize debt while accessing decent-paying entry-level opportunities, Macomb delivers on that promise—just don't assume these exact figures will hold for every cohort.