here is the exact wording of the problem:
"Design a circuit using voltage-divider bias for the following specifications: Vcc=9 v, Icc(max) = 5 mA, Ic = 1.5 mA, and Vce = 3 v. The transistor is a 2N3904."
I think they mean that the overall circuit, from Vcc to ground should only have 5 ma current going thru it. But I'm not sure.