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

At first glance, Mott Community College's Liberal Arts program looks like a modest earner—until you check the debt. Graduates leave owing $16,668, yet they're earning above both the Michigan median and national median for this degree. More importantly, debt levels are exceptionally low compared to peers (10th percentile nationally), meaning borrowers face one of the most manageable repayment scenarios in this field. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56 is quite reasonable for an associate degree, particularly one serving a community where 35% of students qualify for Pell grants.

The earnings trajectory tells a practical story: graduates start at nearly $30,000 and reach $32,000 by year four—solid growth for an associate degree, though admittedly behind Michigan's strongest community college programs like Oakland ($37,347) or Grand Rapids ($33,777). Still, among 49 Michigan schools offering this program, Mott ranks in the 60th percentile, performing better than most community colleges in the state.

For families in the Flint area seeking an affordable pathway to a bachelor's degree or immediate employment, this program delivers on cost control while maintaining competitive earnings. The low debt burden matters more here than the earnings ceiling—graduates aren't trapped by loans while they figure out their next steps, whether that's transferring to a four-year school or entering the workforce.