Compare 12 Labor Studies. programs in Michigan. Average earnings: $58,724.
The highest-earning Labor Studies program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $54K earnings gap across 12 programs in Michigan, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor's Labor Studies program leads with graduates earning $92,289, well above the state average of $58,724. Michigan State follows at $80,270, while Oakland University rounds out the top three at $60,527—demonstrating that program strength varies significantly within the state.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor graduates borrow $19,500 and face just a 3.8% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, making the program both high-earning and affordable.
Highest program earnings: $92,289
Strong outcomes ($80,270) with 84% acceptance
3.8% payment burden | Excellent
10.7% family burden | Good
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $92,289 | 46 | $19,500 | Excellent | $30,250 | Good | |
| #2 | $80,270 | 124 | $23,250 | Excellent | $37,401 | Manageable | |
| #3 | Oakland UniversityPublic | $60,527 | 207 | $22,750 | Good | $17,858 | Manageable |
| #4 | $59,968 | 62 | $27,000 | Good | $23,103 | Challenging | |
| #5 | Davenport UniversityPrivate | $57,458 | 49 | $26,000 | Good | $18,037 | Challenging |
| #6 | Wayne State UniversityPublic | $56,255 | 155 | $21,250 | Good | $16,378 | Manageable |
| #7 | $54,035 | 21 | $22,500 | Good | $16,132 | Manageable | |
| #8 | $53,197 | 59 | $26,188 | Good | $22,488 | Challenging | |
| #9 | Baker CollegePrivate | $52,049 | 42 | $25,000 | Good | $9,540 | Manageable |
| #10 | $50,259 | 80 | $24,500 | Manageable | $26,392 | High | |
| #11 | Ferris State UniversityPublic | $50,089 | 22 | $21,000 | Good | $14,849 | Challenging |
| #12 | $38,289 | 24 | $25,000 | Challenging | $12,953 | 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 →
