Compare 9 Photography. programs in Michigan. Average earnings: $31,122.
The highest-earning Photography program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $31K earnings gap across 9 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor's Photography program leads with graduates earning $46,789, well above the $31,122 average. Western Michigan University follows at $39,307, demonstrating that regional public universities can compete strongly in creative fields where program focus matters more than overall school rankings.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor graduates borrow $19,500 and face just an 11% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. However, Western Michigan creates a more challenging 21.5% burden despite lower total debt, showing how earnings drive affordability math.
Highest program earnings: $46,789
Strong outcomes with 85% acceptance
11% payment burden | Good - payment 8-12% of discretionary
30.7% family burden | High burden - payment over 25% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $46,789 | 74 | $19,500 | Good | $30,250 | High | |
| #2 | $39,307 | 34 | $26,188 | Challenging | $22,488 | High | |
| #3 | $33,482 | 32 | $25,000 | High | $16,878 | High | |
| #4 | College For Creative StudiesPrivate | $33,178 | 15 | $26,000 | High | $73,420 | High |
| #5 | $32,664 | 67 | $24,500 | High | $26,392 | High | |
| #6 | $31,499 | 14 | $21,474 | High | $17,287 | High | |
| #7 | Oakland UniversityPublic | $24,156 | 26 | $22,750 | High | $17,858 | High |
| #8 | Wayne State UniversityPublic | $23,113 | 24 | $21,250 | High | $16,378 | High |
| #9 | Calvin UniversityPrivate | $15,906 | 21 | $23,250 | High | $33,900 | 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 →
