Compare 12 Acting. programs in Michigan. Average earnings: $28,686.
The highest-earning Acting program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $35K earnings gap across 12 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
Michigan Technological University's Acting program leads with graduates earning $49,683—significantly above the state average of $28,686. The variation is striking: top programs like Michigan State ($37,177) and UM-Flint ($33,989) show that outcomes depend on program strength, not university reputation.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Michigan Tech graduates borrow $24,990 and face a 12.6% payment burden, landing in the 'Manageable' category. However, when parent loans are included, the family burden jumps to 29.7%, proving the best choice depends on who's paying.
Highest program earnings: $49,683
Strong outcomes with 88% acceptance
12.6% payment burden | Manageable
29.7% family burden | High burden
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $49,683 | 5 | $24,990 | Manageable | $29,300 | High | |
| #2 | $37,177 | 42 | $23,250 | Challenging | $37,401 | High | |
| #3 | $33,989 | 11 | $25,000 | High | $12,953 | High | |
| #4 | $32,486 | 31 | $25,000 | High | $16,878 | High | |
| #5 | $31,405 | 15 | $27,000 | High | $23,103 | High | |
| #6 | Wayne State UniversityPublic | $30,701 | 30 | $21,250 | High | $16,378 | High |
| #7 | Oakland UniversityPublic | $26,370 | 30 | $22,750 | High | $17,858 | High |
| #8 | $26,263 | 46 | $26,188 | High | $22,488 | High | |
| #9 | $23,350 | 62 | $19,500 | High | $30,250 | High | |
| #10 | $20,140 | 7 | $24,500 | High | $26,392 | High | |
| #11 | $17,481 | 6 | $21,474 | High | $17,287 | High | |
| #12 | Hope CollegePrivate | $15,182 | 8 | $26,800 | High | $48,059 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
