Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Macomb Community College

Macomb Community College's nursing program stands out in Michigan for one exceptional reason: graduates carry just $10,750 in debt—less than half the state median of $22,818 and among the lowest debt loads in the country for nursing programs. That's the headline here, and it fundamentally changes the economics of this degree.

The earnings tell a more nuanced story. Starting at nearly $70,000 places graduates at the 60th percentile among Michigan nursing programs—solidly middle-of-the-pack. However, earnings dip to $66,250 by year four, which likely reflects Michigan's saturated nursing market rather than program quality. Still, when you're carrying minimal debt, a slight earnings decline matters far less than it would elsewhere. Compare this to top-earning Jackson College ($76,000), where you'd need to research their debt figures to see if the $6,000 earnings advantage justifies potentially higher borrowing.

The math works simply: with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.15, graduates owe roughly two months' salary. That kind of light debt load provides enormous flexibility—whether that means taking a preferred position that pays slightly less, building savings quickly, or avoiding the financial stress that often accompanies early-career nursing. For families concerned about educational debt, this program delivers nursing credentials at a remarkably accessible price point.