Compare 5 Marine Engineering Technology/Technician. programs in Michigan. Average earnings: $75,514.
Marine Engineering Technology/Technician programs produce graduates earning between $68,476 and $80,179—a $12K spread that demonstrates focused outcomes across Michigan's 5 ranked programs. While the earnings range is tighter than many fields, program selection still matters for maximizing career prospects and minimizing debt burden.
Eastern Michigan University's Marine Engineering Technology/Technician program leads with graduates earning $80,179, followed closely by Ferris State University at $77,264. The average across all Michigan programs is $75,514, with Michigan Technological University rounding out the top three at $76,003—proving that specialized technical programs deliver consistent value regardless of institutional prestige.
With strong earnings comes smart borrowing. Ferris State University graduates borrow $21,000 and face just a 5.3% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. When family debt is considered, Ferris maintains its value lead with a 9.5% family burden—proof that the best program choice depends on who's financing the degree.
Highest program earnings: $80,179
Strong outcomes with 81% acceptance rate
5.3% payment burden | Excellent - payment under 8% of discretionary
9.5% family burden | Good - payment 8-12% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $80,179 | 29 | $25,000 | Excellent | $16,878 | Good | |
| #2 | Ferris State UniversityPublic | $77,264 | 93 | $21,000 | Excellent | $14,849 | Good |
| #3 | $76,003 | 28 | $24,990 | Excellent | $29,300 | Manageable | |
| #4 | $75,648 | 50 | $27,000 | Excellent | $23,103 | Manageable | |
| #5 | $68,476 | 23 | $21,474 | Excellent | $17,287 | Manageable |
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 →
