Dorsey College-Dearborn: $22,800 Tuition

$22,800Tuition

450Students

28%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$29,392Earnings

Private forprofit2-yearData: 2023-24

About Dorsey College-Dearborn

Dorsey College-Dearborn prepares students for immediate entry into Michigan's job market through hands-on training programs. The school specializes in career-focused education in healthcare, business, and skilled trades. With 450 students, this private career college operates on a quarter system that allows faster program completion. Nearly 99% of students come from Michigan, creating a tight-knit community focused on local employment opportunities.

Students face a steep financial commitment with an average net price of $22,173 per year. Over 83% receive financial aid, but graduates earn a median of just $29,392 ten years after starting school. The typical graduate carries $13,000 in debt with monthly payments of $138. These numbers suggest challenging financial returns, especially given that only 20% of borrowers are successfully repaying their loans. The high cost relative to earning potential makes this investment risky for many students.

The student body reflects Detroit's demographics, with 58% Black students and 66% women. Classes are large with a 32-to-1 student-faculty ratio, meaning limited individual attention. However, the school boasts a 91% employment rate, indicating that graduates do find work. The 28% six-year graduation rate suggests many students struggle to complete their programs.

Academics & Faculty

Dorsey College specializes in career-focused training programs designed to get students into the workforce quickly. The school concentrates on healthcare, business, and skilled trades rather than traditional academic subjects. With a 32:1 student-faculty ratio, classes tend to be large and students get limited individual attention from instructors. Only 27.6% of students complete their programs within six years, suggesting many struggle with the academic demands or life circumstances that interfere with their studies. The quarter system moves fast through concentrated coursework. Programs emphasize hands-on skills and industry certifications that employers in Detroit's healthcare and business sectors actively seek when hiring.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 32:1
Full-Time Faculty: 11.8%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 27.6%
Median Earnings (10 years): $29,392

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technology.	Certificate	$26,933
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants.	Certificate	$23,589
Health and Medical Administrative Services.	Certificate	$22,865
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services.	Certificate	$20,572
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions.	Certificate	$19,298

View all 5 programs →

Campus Life

Dorsey College sits in Dearborn, just outside Detroit's city limits, putting students at the heart of Michigan's automotive corridor. With only 450 students, everyone knows each other on this small urban campus. Expect heavy winter coats from November through March as temperatures regularly drop below freezing and snow covers the ground for months.

The 32:1 student-faculty ratio means larger class sizes than traditional colleges, but the quarter system keeps things moving quickly. Two-thirds of students are women, reflecting the college's strong focus on healthcare programs. Nearly 84% of students receive financial aid, creating a community where most people are working while studying. Students typically commute from across metro Detroit rather than living on campus. Weekends often mean work shifts or family time since 99% of students are Michigan residents with local ties. The career-focused atmosphere means less traditional college socializing and more networking within specific program tracks. Students spend time in hands-on labs and clinical rotations rather than dorm common areas or campus quads.

Setting: City-Large
Calendar System: Quarter

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 17°–32°F
July Avg: 62°–83°F
Annual Precipitation: 35.1"
Annual Snowfall: 30.8"

Student Demographics

Dorsey College-Dearborn draws students from Detroit's working-class neighborhoods who need practical skills training. Nearly all students come from Michigan, reflecting the school's role as a local workforce development center. The student body is predominantly African American, mirroring Detroit's demographics and the school's commitment to serving urban communities. Women make up two-thirds of enrollment, typical for career colleges emphasizing healthcare and business programs. Most students qualify for Pell Grants, indicating the school serves families seeking economic mobility through vocational education rather than traditional four-year degrees.

Men: 33.3%
Women: 66.7%
White: 13.1%
Black: 58.4%
Hispanic: 10.2%
Asian: 0.0%
In-State Students: 98.9%
Pell Grant Recipients: 83.6%

Location

Dorsey College-Dearborn sits in the heart of Detroit, Michigan, serving a metropolitan area of over 4 million residents. The campus operates within Michigan's largest city, placing students in an urban environment known for its automotive heritage and economic revitalization efforts. Detroit's downtown core lies just 10 miles from the Dearborn location, offering internship and job opportunities in healthcare, business, and manufacturing sectors. The college draws 98.85% of its students from within Michigan, reflecting strong regional ties. Nearly 60% of students identify as Black, mirroring Detroit's diverse population demographics. Students considering colleges in Michigan may also compare Dorsey College-Dearborn with similar schools in the region.

Address: Detroit, Michigan 48228

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $29,392
Median Earnings (5 years): $26,639
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $21,400
Loan Repayment Rate: 20.5%
Monthly Loan Payment: $138/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $13,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Dorsey College-Dearborn?

Dorsey College-Dearborn focuses on open enrollment for career training programs. The school serves 450 students in Detroit with a practical approach to admissions that prioritizes readiness for healthcare, business, and skilled trades careers rather than traditional academic metrics.

How much does Dorsey College-Dearborn cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $22,173 annually at Dorsey College-Dearborn. With 83.57% receiving financial aid and monthly loan payments averaging $138, this private career college targets working-class students seeking vocational training.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Dorsey College-Dearborn?

The student-faculty ratio is 32:1 at Dorsey College-Dearborn. This career-focused institution operates on a quarter system, emphasizing hands-on training in healthcare and skilled trades rather than traditional liberal arts education.

What are the employment outcomes after graduating from Dorsey College-Dearborn?

Graduates achieve a 91.1% employment rate, though median earnings are $29,392 after 10 years. The 27.60% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges facing career college students, many of whom are first-generation college students from working-class backgrounds.

Where is Dorsey College-Dearborn's campus located?

The campus sits in Detroit's urban landscape, serving 98.85% in-state students. This for-profit college draws primarily from local communities, with 58.44% Black students and 66.67% women seeking career advancement in Michigan's largest city.

Does Dorsey College-Dearborn offer institutional financial aid?

Only 17.11% of students receive institutional grants averaging $7,746 at Dorsey College-Dearborn. The school relies heavily on federal aid, with 85.52% taking federal loans and a concerning 20.51% loan repayment rate indicating financial challenges for graduates.