Compare 5 Art Therapy/Therapist. programs in Michigan. Average earnings: $51,377.
With top graduates earning $66,266, Art Therapy/Therapist programs stand out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $14K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Western Michigan University's Art Therapy program leads with graduates earning $66,266, well above the $51,377 average across Michigan's 5 programs. Saginaw Valley State follows at $59,937, demonstrating how regional publics compete effectively in specialized healthcare fields where outcomes depend on program quality, not university rankings.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Western Michigan graduates borrow $26,188 and face just an 8.2% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. That means loan payments take a manageable bite out of their post-grad income, making strong outcomes genuinely affordable.
Highest program earnings: $66,266
Strong outcomes with 85% acceptance
8.2% payment burden | Good - payment 8-12% of discretionary
16.3% family burden | Manageable - payment 12-18% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $66,266 | 60 | $26,188 | Good | $22,488 | Manageable | |
| #2 | $59,937 | 68 | $25,000 | Good | $18,264 | Manageable | |
| #3 | $45,854 | 53 | $25,000 | Manageable | $16,878 | High | |
| #4 | $45,042 | 43 | $27,000 | Manageable | $23,103 | High | |
| #5 | $39,784 | 40 | $24,500 | Challenging | $26,392 | 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 →
