Marketing at Schoolcraft Community College District

Schoolcraft's marketing associate's program punches well above its weight nationally—graduates earn more than 95% of similar programs across the country right out of the gate. That $48,724 first-year salary substantially outpaces the typical $41,955 for marketing associate's graduates nationwide. The debt load of about $15,000 sits well below the national median, making this program appear remarkably affordable for the earnings level it delivers.

But this rosy picture comes with important caveats. First, the sample size is small—fewer than 30 graduates—so these numbers could shift significantly with more data. Second, while the program ranks highly nationally, it sits at the 60th percentile within Michigan, suggesting other in-state options may deliver similar or better outcomes. Most concerning is the slight earnings decline from year one to year four, though the drop is modest enough that it might simply reflect normal economic fluctuations rather than a fundamental career trajectory problem.

For families considering this program, the math works: you're looking at debt that represents just 31% of first-year earnings, which is manageable by any standard. However, given the small sample size, treat these numbers as promising but not guaranteed. If your student is committed to staying local and wants to enter marketing quickly, this appears to be a solid value—just understand you're making decisions based on limited historical data.