Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Montcalm Community College

Montcalm Community College's Liberal Arts associate degree produces outcomes that sit right at Michigan's median, but notably, those earnings trail the state's stronger community college programs by $4,000 to $9,000 annually. At $28,150 in first-year earnings, graduates here match the typical Michigan liberal arts associate recipient, yet fall well behind what students earn from Oakland CC or Grand Rapids CC—schools that likely draw from similar demographics.

The debt load of $12,060 is manageable relative to initial earnings, creating a ratio of 0.43 that shouldn't burden most graduates. However, this is about the numbers you'd expect for any liberal arts associate degree in Michigan. There's no particular financial advantage here, but no red flags either. The 17% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests graduates do find paths to modest advancement, whether through continued education or workforce progression.

For families in Montcalm County, this program offers affordable access to higher education without creating debt problems. But parents should understand they're paying for convenience and proximity rather than exceptional outcomes. If your student can commute to Grand Rapids or access one of Michigan's higher-performing community colleges, the data suggests that may be worth the extra effort for an additional $5,000+ in annual earnings potential.