At $5,725/yr net price, Macomb Community College graduates earn $41,596/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $7,596/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $5,725 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $22,900 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $41,596/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$7,596/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 16.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $6,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,136/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $4,993/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,873/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,390/yr |
| $110,001+ | $10,688/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 | $56,993 | $5,493 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $38,906 | |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Associate | $37,808 | $4,802 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $37,748 | $7,049 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Associate | $36,134 | |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $35,594 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $33,993 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $33,281 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $32,925 | |
| Marketing. | Associate | $30,984 |
The Risk Factor
16.1% of students at Macomb Community 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
Macomb Community College keeps costs low and debt lower. You borrow a median of $6,000 to earn a credential, and the yearly net price sits well under what a four-year school would run you. For a two-year school in the Detroit metro, that math works in your favor if you finish.
The nursing associate degree is the clear winner here. It pays roughly $57,000 a decade out while carrying about the same debt load as programs earning $20,000 less. That gap tells you where the money is: healthcare credentials at Macomb pay off, general business and IT associate degrees land closer to $37,000 and don't clear the same bar. The allied health diagnostic program pays about the same as business but saddles you with more debt, so it's the weaker trade among the health options.
The real risk at Macomb is finishing at all. The graduation rate sits at 16%, meaning most people who enroll leave without the credential. If you drop out, you carry whatever you borrowed with no degree to show for it, and the low sticker price stops mattering. Your return depends entirely on completing.
Net price barely moves with income at the bottom and climbs steadily as you go up. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $4,000 to $5,000 a year. Above $110,000, you pay more than double that. Either way the numbers stay affordable compared to most colleges.
Macomb is a strong financial fit if you're aiming at nursing or another health credential and you're confident you'll finish. If you're undecided and likely to stop out, or you want a business or IT path that leads to higher pay, look at where those credentials transfer before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Macomb Community College worth the money?
Macomb Community College offers good value with low costs ($5,725 per year) and minimal debt ($6,000 median), but the 16% graduation rate is concerning. The nursing programs provide strong returns at $57,000 in earnings, while other programs show modest gains.
What are the best paying programs at Macomb Community College?
Nursing programs at Macomb Community College lead in earnings at $57,000 annually, followed by allied health services at $39,000. Business and IT programs generate lower returns around $36,000-$38,000.
How much debt will I have after Macomb Community College?
Macomb Community College graduates typically carry $6,000 in debt, which is manageable compared to four-year schools. The low annual cost of $5,725 helps keep borrowing minimal for most students.
What is the graduation rate at Macomb Community College?
Only 16% of students graduate from Macomb Community College within the tracked timeframe. This low completion rate means many students either transfer, drop out, or take longer to finish their programs.