Compare 12 Advertising. programs in Michigan. Average earnings: $47,960.
With top graduates earning $57,693, Advertising stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $10K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Michigan State University's Advertising program leads with graduates earning $57,693, well above the $47,960 average across Michigan's 12 programs. Eastern Michigan University follows at $53,615, while Wayne State University rounds out the top three at $52,584—showing that public universities dominate this field regardless of overall institutional rankings.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Michigan State graduates borrow $23,250 and face just a 9.1% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. Wayne State offers the best family value with an 18.3% combined burden, proving that the smartest choice depends on who's paying.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $57,693 | 517 | $23,250 | Good | $37,401 | High | |
| #2 | $53,615 | 20 | $25,000 | Good | $16,878 | Challenging | |
| #3 | Wayne State UniversityPublic | $52,584 | 28 | $21,250 | Good | $16,378 | Challenging |
| #4 | Northwood UniversityPrivate | $52,483 | 15 | $20,842 | Good | $21,265 | Challenging |
| #5 | $51,494 | 117 | $27,000 | Manageable | $23,103 | High | |
| #6 | $49,854 | 152 | $24,500 | Manageable | $26,392 | High | |
| #7 | $48,899 | 104 | $26,188 | Manageable | $22,488 | High | |
| #8 | Ferris State UniversityPublic | $46,761 | 28 | $21,000 | Good | $14,849 | Challenging |
| #9 | Siena Heights UniversityPrivate | $44,643 | 15 | $18,750 | Good | $17,192 | Challenging |
| #10 | $43,199 | 17 | $21,474 | Manageable | $17,287 | High | |
| #11 | Oakland UniversityPublic | $40,299 | 16 | $22,750 | Manageable | $17,858 | High |
| #12 | Calvin UniversityPrivate | $33,993 | 8 | $23,250 | High | $33,900 | 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 →
