Accounting at Mott Community College

Mott's accounting program carries debt of $13,746—about $4,000 below the Michigan median and nearly $6,000 less than the national average for associate accounting programs. That positions it as one of the more affordable pathways into the field, particularly for the 35% of students receiving Pell grants. Based on comparable accounting programs in Michigan, graduates typically earn around $36,000 in their first year, which translates to a manageable 0.38 debt-to-earnings ratio.

The challenge is that we're working with estimated earnings here since Mott's actual graduate outcomes aren't publicly reported. Similar programs across Michigan show first-year earnings ranging from about $35,500 to over $40,000, suggesting some variability in outcomes depending on local job markets and employer connections. Mott's location in Flint may influence which employers recruit from the program and what entry-level positions are available.

The practical question is whether lower debt justifies the uncertainty about specific outcomes. If your student can complete this program with minimal borrowing and has accounting jobs lined up in the Flint area, the numbers work. But without actual graduate data from Mott, you're betting on peer program performance rather than a proven track record. Before committing, identify where recent graduates are actually working and what they're earning—information the school should be able to provide even if the federal data can't.