At $11,209/yr net price, Lake Michigan College graduates earn $34,466/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $466/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $11,209 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $44,836 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $34,466/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$466/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 96.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 22.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $8,727/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,755/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,554/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $14,960/yr |
| $110,001+ | $16,137/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 | $55,964 | $9,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $52,107 | $9,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $18,154 | $14,500 |
The Risk Factor
22.2% of students at Lake Michigan 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
Lake Michigan College sits in a spot where your program choice decides everything. The median graduate earns $34,466 ten years out, which is low, but that number hides a wide split between the health programs and everything else.
Nursing pays. The associate nursing degree leads to earnings near $56,000, and allied health diagnostic and treatment programs follow close behind at around $52,000. Both carry the same $9,000 debt load the median student takes on, so you finish with a manageable balance and a wage that clears it fast. If you want a return here, these are the reasons to enroll.
The liberal arts and general studies track is the opposite. Graduates earn about $18,154, less than a third of what nursing pays, while carrying $14,500 in debt, the highest debt figure on the list. That combination doesn't work. If you take this path expecting it to pay for itself, it won't. Treat it only as a transfer step toward a four-year degree somewhere else, not an endpoint.
The biggest risk is the 22% graduation rate. Nearly four out of five students don't finish, and if you leave with debt and no credential, you get the cost with none of the payoff. That risk falls hardest on anyone not locked into a clear career program.
Net price rises steeply with income. Under $30k you pay $8,727. over $110k you pay $16,137, nearly double. Lower-income families get real discounts here, and the debt levels stay low across the board.
This school fits you if you're aiming for nursing or allied health and can commit to finishing. Look elsewhere if you want a general degree with no specific job target, since the earnings and completion odds don't support it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Michigan College worth the cost compared to other schools?
Lake Michigan College costs $11,209 per year but graduates earn only $34,466 after 10 years, which is below average for college graduates. The low graduation rate of 22% means most students don't finish their programs.
Which programs at Lake Michigan College have the best return on investment?
Nursing programs at Lake Michigan College offer the strongest ROI, with graduates earning around $55,964 annually. Liberal arts graduates earn significantly less at $18,154, making those programs poor financial investments.
How much student debt do Lake Michigan College graduates typically have?
Lake Michigan College graduates have a median debt of $9,000, which is relatively low compared to four-year schools. However, with post-graduation earnings of $34,466, even this modest debt may be challenging to repay.
Does Lake Michigan College provide good value for students seeking career training?
Lake Michigan College provides decent value only for nursing and allied health programs, which lead to middle-income careers. Most other programs result in low earnings that may not justify even the school's affordable tuition costs.