Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at North Central Michigan College

North Central Michigan College's liberal arts associate degree starts at $20,834—well below Michigan's median of $28,150 for this program and in just the 25th percentile statewide. To put that in perspective, graduates from Oakland Community College's comparable program earn nearly 80% more in their first year. While the debt load of $10,312 is manageable and slightly below state averages, you're still taking on debt for earnings that initially trail most Michigan community colleges.

The encouraging news is the 41% earnings jump to $29,461 by year four, which closes much of the gap with state averages. This suggests graduates are finding their footing in the job market, though it takes time. For families in the Petoskey area where geographic constraints might limit college choices, this program offers an affordable pathway that improves significantly with experience.

The bottom line: This works best as a low-cost stepping stone if your student plans to transfer to a four-year school or can leverage local connections for better-paying work after graduation. If they're stopping at the associate degree and have flexibility in location, stronger-performing Michigan community colleges would likely deliver better immediate returns on a similar investment.