Human Development, Family Studies, at Oakland Community College

Oakland Community College graduates in this program earn about $30,400 annually—roughly $6,000 more than the typical Michigan graduate in this field and $4,500 above the national median. That 80th percentile ranking among Michigan programs is significant, especially since this is a community college with relatively modest debt. However, the sample size here is quite small (under 30 graduates), so these figures could shift considerably with more data.

The concerning part isn't the debt load itself—$17,310 is manageable at a 0.57 debt-to-earnings ratio. It's that earnings remain completely flat between years one and four, stuck around $30,400. This suggests limited room for advancement without additional credentials, which is common in early childhood education and family services roles. Students should understand they're likely looking at wages in this range for the foreseeable future unless they pursue a bachelor's degree.

For parents evaluating this as a two-year investment, the math works better than most similar programs in Michigan, and the debt is reasonable enough to repay on these wages. But view this realistically as either an entry point to a four-year program or a path to stable but limited-growth employment. If your child plans to stop at the associate's level, make sure they're comfortable with $30,000 as a long-term earning potential.