Compare 23 Nursing Science. programs in Michigan. Average earnings: $68,129.
The highest-earning Nursing Science program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $19K earnings gap across 23 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
Baker College's Nursing Science program leads with graduates earning $81,833, well above the state average of $68,129. Following closely, Alma College delivers $78,690 and University of Michigan-Flint reaches $75,731. This variation across diverse institutions proves that nursing excellence isn't confined to traditional academic hierarchies.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Baker College graduates borrow $25,000 and face just a 5.8% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor offers even lower student debt at $19,500 with a 5.4% burden, proving top programs can also be affordable.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Baker CollegePrivate | $81,833 | 197 | $25,000 | Excellent | $9,540 | Good |
| #2 | Alma CollegePrivate | $78,690 | 23 | $27,000 | Excellent | $45,109 | Challenging |
| #3 | $75,731 | 262 | $25,000 | Excellent | $12,953 | Good | |
| #4 | Spring Arbor UniversityPrivate | $74,629 | 71 | $26,375 | Excellent | $18,988 | Manageable |
| #5 | Ferris State UniversityPublic | $72,757 | 160 | $21,000 | Excellent | $14,849 | Good |
| #6 | $72,474 | 143 | $19,500 | Excellent | $30,250 | Manageable | |
| #7 | $72,099 | 389 | $25,000 | Excellent | $16,878 | Manageable | |
| #8 | $69,853 | 200 | $23,250 | Excellent | $37,401 | Challenging | |
| #9 | Siena Heights UniversityPrivate | $68,739 | 51 | $18,750 | Excellent | $17,192 | Good |
| #10 | Oakland UniversityPublic | $68,205 | 443 | $22,750 | Excellent | $17,858 | Manageable |
| #11 | $68,115 | 129 | $26,188 | Excellent | $22,488 | Manageable | |
| #12 | Wayne State UniversityPublic | $67,571 | 147 | $21,250 | Excellent | $16,378 | Manageable |
| #13 | $67,509 | 182 | $25,000 | Excellent | $18,264 | Manageable | |
| #14 | Madonna UniversityPrivate | $67,074 | 170 | $23,000 | Excellent | $23,657 | Manageable |
| #15 | Rochester UniversityPrivate | $66,808 | 8 | $24,475 | Excellent | $15,987 | Manageable |
| #16 | University Of Detroit MercyPrivate | $66,777 | 219 | $23,250 | Excellent | $22,484 | Manageable |
| #17 | $64,075 | 99 | $21,474 | Excellent | $17,287 | Manageable | |
| #18 | Calvin UniversityPrivate | $64,067 | 62 | $23,250 | Excellent | $33,900 | Challenging |
| #19 | $63,576 | 198 | $24,500 | Good | $26,392 | Challenging | |
| #20 | Davenport UniversityPrivate | $62,889 | 202 | $26,000 | Good | $18,037 | Manageable |
| #21 | Hope CollegePrivate | $61,493 | 43 | $26,800 | Good | $48,059 | High |
| #22 | $59,907 | 46 | $23,250 | Good | $23,414 | Challenging | |
| #23 | Andrews UniversityPrivate | $52,107 | 20 | $26,000 | Manageable | $27,219 | 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 →
