Compare 14 General Studies. programs in Michigan. Average earnings: $40,836.
With top graduates earning $65,563, General Studies stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $25K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Wayne State University's General Studies program leads with graduates earning $65,563, significantly above the $40,836 average across Michigan's 14 programs. Saginaw Valley State follows at $56,972, while even University of Michigan-Ann Arbor trails at $52,263—demonstrating that regional publics can outperform prestigious institutions in specific fields.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Wayne State graduates borrow $21,250 and face just a 6.8% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, making it both the top earner and best value.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Wayne State UniversityPublic | $65,563 | 12 | $21,250 | Excellent | $16,378 | Manageable |
| #2 | $56,972 | 15 | $25,000 | Good | $18,264 | Challenging | |
| #3 | $52,263 | 68 | $19,500 | Good | $30,250 | High | |
| #4 | Oakland UniversityPublic | $47,030 | 139 | $22,750 | Manageable | $17,858 | Challenging |
| #5 | Siena Heights UniversityPrivate | $46,912 | 27 | $18,750 | Good | $17,192 | Challenging |
| #6 | $45,735 | 25 | $23,250 | Manageable | $37,401 | High | |
| #7 | $44,505 | 80 | $24,500 | Manageable | $26,392 | High | |
| #8 | Baker CollegePrivate | $42,418 | 39 | $25,000 | Manageable | $9,540 | Challenging |
| #9 | $37,807 | 33 | $22,500 | Challenging | $16,132 | High | |
| #10 | Spring Arbor UniversityPrivate | $31,133 | 14 | $26,375 | High | $18,988 | High |
| #11 | Ferris State UniversityPublic | $29,064 | 54 | $21,000 | High | $14,849 | High |
| #12 | Aquinas CollegePrivate | $25,596 | 25 | $23,000 | High | $24,361 | High |
| #13 | Cornerstone UniversityPrivate | $25,194 | 9 | $25,000 | High | $18,141 | High |
| #14 | $21,508 | 12 | $23,250 | High | $23,414 | 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 →
