Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Mid Michigan College

Mid Michigan College's associate program in liberal arts lands squarely in the middle of the pack nationally, but trails other Michigan options significantly. At $27,136 in first-year earnings, graduates earn about $1,000 less than the state median and sit in just the 40th percentile among Michigan programs. Compare that to nearby community colleges like Grand Rapids ($33,777) or Kellogg ($32,616), which deliver 20-25% higher starting earnings for essentially the same credential.

The debt picture offers one bright spot: at $14,750, borrowers here take on less than the typical Michigan grad ($12,030 isn't far off), and the 0.54 debt-to-earnings ratio remains manageable. Graduates can realistically repay federal loans within standard timeframes. Earnings do grow to $32,063 by year four—an 18% increase that suggests steady workforce progression. Still, even four years out, graduates here earn less than day-one earnings at several Michigan community colleges.

For families prioritizing proximity to Harrison or strong community ties, this program won't derail finances. But if your student can commute to or relocate near Oakland, Grand Rapids, or Kalamazoo Valley, those programs deliver substantially better starting salaries with comparable debt loads. The $5,000-10,000 earnings advantage elsewhere compounds quickly over a career.