At $22,079/yr net price, Dorsey College graduates earn $29,392/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $22,079 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $88,316 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $29,392/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-4,608/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 38.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $13,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $22,012/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $28,359/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR). | Certificate | $30,409 | $9,500 |
| Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technology. | Certificate | $26,933 | $13,000 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Certificate | $26,585 | $14,750 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $23,589 | $13,000 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Certificate | $22,865 | $13,000 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management. | Certificate | $22,578 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $20,572 | $13,000 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Certificate | $19,298 | $13,000 |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services. | Certificate | $19,227 | |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services. | Certificate | $18,992 | $13,000 |
The Risk Factor
38.3% of students at Dorsey College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Dorsey College is a hard financial bet. You pay about $22,000 a year, and ten years after enrolling the median graduate earns roughly $29,000. That earnings figure barely clears what many jobs pay without any postsecondary training, and it comes after you've spent one to two years and taken on debt to get there. A 38% graduation rate means most people who start here don't finish, and if you drop out you still owe the money.
Every program listed is a certificate, not a degree, so treat these as short vocational credentials. The HVAC certificate is the clear standout: it pays the most and carries the lowest debt at $9,500. That's the one program where the math works reasonably well for a Michigan trade job. Electrical repair and medical lab science land in the mid-$26,000 range but stack on more debt. Practical nursing and medical administrative services sit near the bottom, around $23,000, while still saddling you with $13,000 in loans, which makes their return weak.
The specific risk here is the income tiers. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $22,000 net. If you earn $30,000 to $48,000, you pay more, around $28,000, higher than the sticker price. Lower-middle-income families get charged the most in absolute dollars, which is backwards from how aid usually works.
This school fits you only if you enroll in HVAC, finish, and want to work a trade in the Detroit metro area. For nearly every other program, the debt-to-earnings ratio is bad, and the low completion rate makes the gamble worse. If you can access a community college HVAC or nursing program, compare net prices first, because you'll likely pay far less for the same job outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dorsey College worth the money?
Dorsey College's graduates earn $29,392 ten years after enrollment, which barely exceeds the $22,079 annual cost. With only a 38% graduation rate, most students don't finish their programs.
What are the best paying programs at Dorsey College?
HVAC technology offers the strongest return at $30,409 in median earnings, followed by electrical maintenance technology at $26,933. Healthcare administration and nursing programs show weaker earning potential relative to costs.
How much debt do Dorsey College students graduate with?
Dorsey College graduates typically carry $13,000 in debt, which is manageable compared to many schools. However, the low graduation rate means many students accumulate debt without completing their programs.
Does Dorsey College have good job placement after graduation?
While specific placement rates aren't available, the $29,392 median earnings suggest graduates find work but at relatively low wages. The trades programs like HVAC show better earning potential than healthcare support roles.