Compare 7 Journalism. programs in Michigan. Average earnings: $38,162.
With top graduates earning $49,878, Journalism stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $12K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Wayne State University's Journalism program leads with graduates earning $49,878, closely followed by Michigan State University at $49,786. The average across Michigan's 7 programs is $38,162, yet these Detroit and East Lansing programs demonstrate how regional publics can deliver top outcomes in media fields.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Wayne State graduates borrow $21,250 and face just a 10.7% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. At Michigan State, the family math changes dramatically—student debt stays manageable at 11.7%, but family burden jumps to 33.4% when parent loans are included.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Wayne State UniversityPublic | $49,878 | 35 | $21,250 | Good | $16,378 | Challenging |
| #2 | $49,786 | 96 | $23,250 | Good | $37,401 | High | |
| #3 | Oakland UniversityPublic | $37,793 | 24 | $22,750 | Challenging | $17,858 | High |
| #4 | $36,354 | 21 | $25,000 | Challenging | $16,878 | High | |
| #5 | The University Of OlivetPrivate | $34,365 | 5 | $27,000 | High | $23,700 | High |
| #6 | $32,022 | 40 | $27,000 | High | $23,103 | High | |
| #7 | $26,933 | 5 | $26,188 | High | $22,488 | 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 →
