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Community College & 2-Year Degrees
Community College & 2-Year Degrees
An associate degree offers an affordable (for Belleville Highschool students graduating in 2027 it's free) entry point into the workforce and leaves the door open to stacking into a bachelor's degree in the future.
Two-year degrees can lead to careers in fields like registered nursing, radiologic technology, dental hygiene, paralegal studies, and IT support, where median salaries range from $45,000 to $85,000 per year.
Depending on where you are in Van Buren Schools District, your community college may be Wayne County Community College District or Washtenaw Community College. If you're interested in attending community college for free, visit the State of Michigan's Website to find your supported school.
Continuing Education and Adaptability
Continuing Education and Adaptability
Community colleges are appealing because of their flexibility. Many degrees are structured to get students into a career immediately, and fields offer bridge programs (like RN-to-BSN degrees) that lets students work while their employer pays/assusrs with paying for their education.
Local Trade Programs
Local Trade Programs
Skilled trades provide a, potentially, debt-free route directly into well-paying work. Careers in electrical work, HVAC installation, plumbing, welding, and industrial machinery maintenance are known for their job security and median earnings of over $60,000, 16.1% higher than other occupations (MI Talent). More impressive wages are seen in master tradespeople and union journeymen, who regularly make over $85,000.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships
A benefit of a registered apprenticeship program is the opportunity to "earn while you learn." As an apprentice, an employer/union pays students an hourly wage. This is in addition to covering students classroom instruction and technical training as they earn their certificate.
Transfer Paths
Transfer Paths
It is common for students to earn a 2-year degree at a local community college (such as Washtenaw Community College, Wayne County Community College District, or Henry Ford) then transfer to a 4-year university. They use the credits earned in community college towards a bachelor's degree.
Michigan has a statewide agreement allowing students to complete a core block of 30 general education credits at a community college and transfer them cleanly into participating public universities including the University of Michigan, Wayne State, and Eastern Michigan University. This lets students fulfill graduation requirements before taking upper-level courses at a university.
Your local Michigan Works! agency is a state-funded resource that connects community members to career training, apprenticeships, and job openings. They offer free, hands-on assistance, including:
Funding/tuition assistance for certifications
Resume review
Interview prep
Employer networking
finding registered apprenticeships
joining the workforce
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