Compare 12 Laser and Optical Engineering. programs in Michigan. Average earnings: $89,681.
The highest-earning Laser and Optical Engineering program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $19K earnings gap across 12 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
Wayne State University's Laser and Optical Engineering program leads with graduates earning $97,679, closely followed by University of Michigan-Dearborn at $97,518. The average across all programs is $89,681, but the tight clustering at the top shows three programs delivering nearly identical outcomes despite varying prestige levels.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Wayne State graduates borrow $21,250 and face just a 3.9% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families, Wayne State also leads with a 7.3% family burden, proving loan payments take a minimal bite out of post-grad income.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Wayne State UniversityPublic | $97,679 | 64 | $21,250 | Excellent | $16,378 | Excellent |
| #2 | $97,518 | 105 | $22,500 | Excellent | $16,132 | Excellent | |
| #3 | $97,459 | 99 | $19,500 | Excellent | $30,250 | Good | |
| #4 | $93,400 | 95 | $23,250 | Excellent | $37,401 | Manageable | |
| #5 | Oakland UniversityPublic | $91,496 | 108 | $22,750 | Excellent | $17,858 | Good |
| #6 | $89,146 | 77 | $24,990 | Excellent | $29,300 | Manageable | |
| #7 | Kettering UniversityPrivate | $88,785 | 64 | $27,000 | Excellent | $35,000 | Manageable |
| #8 | $88,673 | 41 | $26,188 | Excellent | $22,488 | Good | |
| #9 | $88,286 | 24 | $27,000 | Excellent | $23,103 | Good | |
| #10 | $84,653 | 27 | $27,000 | Excellent | $54,800 | Challenging | |
| #11 | $80,732 | 36 | $24,500 | Excellent | $26,392 | Manageable | |
| #12 | $78,343 | 14 | $25,000 | Excellent | $18,264 | Good |
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 →
