At $576/yr net price, Henry Ford College graduates earn $34,795/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $795/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $576 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $2,304 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $34,795/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$795/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 10.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $14,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $55/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $2,491/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $5,807/yr |
| $110,001+ | $8,653/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $61,020 | $18,987 |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications. | Associate | $52,107 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $46,282 | $16,976 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $44,170 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $43,798 | $12,952 |
| Computer Programming. | Associate | $42,682 | |
| Legal Support Services. | Associate | $35,600 | |
| Ophthalmic and Optometric Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $33,993 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $29,141 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $28,960 | $11,202 |
The Risk Factor
10.6% of students at Henry Ford 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
Henry Ford College is close to free , $576 a year net price , but the payoff at the other end is weak. Median earnings ten years out sit at $34,795, which is barely above what a Michigan high school graduate can expect. The near-zero cost is the whole case for this school. the earnings are not.
The graduation rate is the number that should stop you: under 11% of students finish. That is the central financial risk here. You can enroll for almost nothing, but if you leave without a credential, you have spent time and possibly borrowed money for a piece of paper you never got. Median debt of $14,250 is manageable against $34,795 earnings only if you actually graduate and land a job. Nine out of ten students walk this campus without crossing that finish line.
No bachelor-level program earnings are listed, so there is no way to tell you which majors here pay off and which don't. Treat any specific program's job outcomes as unknown until you ask the school directly for placement and salary data by program.
The net price tiers make the income math clear. If your family earns under $30k, you pay $55 a year , effectively nothing. Even over $110k, you pay $8,653, which is low for a four-year school. So cost is not the barrier at any income level. Completion is.
This school fits you if you live near Dearborn, need to keep costs at zero, and have a concrete plan to finish and transfer or enter a specific trade. If you want strong earnings or need confidence you'll graduate, the 10.6% completion rate says look elsewhere or use this as a cheap transfer stepping stone with a firm exit plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Henry Ford College worth the cost?
Henry Ford College costs almost nothing at $576 per year, making it extremely affordable even with the low graduation rate of 10.6%. The nursing and IT programs offer solid career prospects, but most students don't complete their degrees.
What are the job prospects after Henry Ford College?
Graduates earn about $35,000 annually after 10 years, which is below average for college graduates. However, nursing program graduates can expect around $61,000, and networking/telecommunications graduates earn about $52,000.
How much debt do Henry Ford College students graduate with?
Students who borrow money graduate with a median debt of $14,250. Given the low net price and potential earnings in top programs like nursing, this debt level is manageable for students who actually complete their degrees.
Which programs at Henry Ford College have the best return on investment?
Registered nursing offers the strongest ROI with graduates earning around $61,000 annually. Computer networking and allied health programs also provide decent returns at $52,000 and $46,000 respectively.