Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Macomb Community College

A two-year IT degree that costs less than half the first year's salary is typically a solid bet, and similar programs across the country suggest this one should land in that favorable range. Peer programs nationally show median earnings around $42,000 and debt near $21,500, while Michigan's IT associate programs trend slightly lower on earnings ($35,000) but higher on debt ($23,000). If Macomb's program tracks closer to the national pattern—which the estimates suggest—students would be looking at manageable debt relative to entry-level pay.

The challenge is Michigan's IT market itself. Baker College, the only comparable program in the state with reported outcomes, shows graduates earning about $35,000—roughly $6,000 below the national median. That gap matters when you're trying to pay down loans quickly. Still, a debt-to-earnings ratio around 0.42 leaves room for financial breathing space, even if earnings lean toward Michigan's lower average rather than the national figure.

For parents evaluating this program, the key variable is job placement location. If your student plans to stay in Michigan's metro Detroit area where Macomb is based, expect earnings closer to $35,000. If they're willing to relocate to stronger tech markets, the higher national earnings become more realistic. Either way, the debt load appears reasonable enough that the program shouldn't create financial hardship—but it's unlikely to produce the rapid payoff that top-earning tech credentials sometimes deliver.