Compare 14 Economics. programs in Michigan. Average earnings: $53,676.
The highest-earning Economics program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $61K earnings gap across 14 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand. Michigan Economics graduates earn between $26,353 and $87,800—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor leads with Economics graduates earning $87,800, well above the $53,676 state average. Wayne State University follows at $73,856, proving regional publics compete with elite institutions. Michigan State rounds out the top three at $71,300—a tight cluster that shows multiple pathways to strong outcomes.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor graduates face just a 4.1% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category despite borrowing $19,500. For families including parent loans, Wayne State leads with a 10.7% family burden—proof that the best choice depends on who's paying.
Highest program earnings: $87,800
Strong outcomes ($73,856) with 82% acceptance
4.1% payment burden | Excellent
10.7% family burden | Good
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $87,800 | 586 | $19,500 | Excellent | $30,250 | Good | |
| #2 | Wayne State UniversityPublic | $73,856 | 36 | $21,250 | Excellent | $16,378 | Good |
| #3 | $71,300 | 316 | $23,250 | Excellent | $37,401 | Challenging | |
| #4 | $70,842 | 27 | $22,500 | Excellent | $16,132 | Good | |
| #5 | $58,840 | 20 | $24,500 | Good | $26,392 | Challenging | |
| #6 | Kalamazoo CollegePrivate | $55,964 | 20 | $26,077 | Good | $49,500 | High |
| #7 | Albion CollegePrivate | $55,527 | 27 | $27,000 | Good | $32,317 | High |
| #8 | $47,918 | 14 | $21,474 | Good | $17,287 | Challenging | |
| #9 | $43,798 | 9 | $25,000 | Manageable | $12,953 | High | |
| #10 | Calvin UniversityPrivate | $42,857 | 21 | $23,250 | Manageable | $33,900 | High |
| #11 | Oakland UniversityPublic | $42,682 | 10 | $22,750 | Manageable | $17,858 | High |
| #12 | $39,729 | 17 | $27,000 | Challenging | $23,103 | High | |
| #13 | $33,993 | 10 | $26,188 | High | $22,488 | High | |
| #14 | $26,353 | 19 | $25,000 | High | $16,878 | 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 →
