Compare 17 Public Finance. programs in Michigan. Average earnings: $63,089.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Public Finance tells a different story. Across 17 programs, earnings range from $42,774 to $79,866—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
Michigan State University's Public Finance program leads with graduates earning $79,866, well above the $63,089 average across Michigan programs. Oakland University follows at $78,839, while University of Michigan-Dearborn reaches $71,075—proving regional publics compete effectively in specialized finance fields.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Oakland University graduates borrow $22,750 and face just a 5.5% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their $78,839 post-grad income.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $79,866 | 376 | $23,250 | Excellent | $37,401 | Manageable | |
| #2 | Oakland UniversityPublic | $78,839 | 99 | $22,750 | Excellent | $17,858 | Good |
| #3 | $71,075 | 74 | $22,500 | Excellent | $16,132 | Good | |
| #4 | $70,100 | 46 | $25,000 | Excellent | $18,264 | Manageable | |
| #5 | Northwood UniversityPrivate | $68,565 | 58 | $20,842 | Excellent | $21,265 | Manageable |
| #6 | $66,308 | 271 | $24,500 | Excellent | $26,392 | Manageable | |
| #7 | $65,653 | 97 | $27,000 | Good | $23,103 | Manageable | |
| #8 | $63,406 | 54 | $25,000 | Good | $16,878 | Manageable | |
| #9 | $62,989 | 33 | $25,000 | Good | $12,953 | Manageable | |
| #10 | $62,689 | 140 | $26,188 | Good | $22,488 | Manageable | |
| #11 | Wayne State UniversityPublic | $62,197 | 140 | $21,250 | Excellent | $16,378 | Manageable |
| #12 | $61,567 | 17 | $21,474 | Excellent | $17,287 | Manageable | |
| #13 | Baker CollegePrivate | $60,152 | 14 | $25,000 | Good | $9,540 | Manageable |
| #14 | Albion CollegePrivate | $59,926 | 19 | $27,000 | Good | $32,317 | Challenging |
| #15 | Davenport UniversityPrivate | $48,364 | 30 | $26,000 | Manageable | $18,037 | Challenging |
| #16 | Ferris State UniversityPublic | $48,041 | 10 | $21,000 | Good | $14,849 | Challenging |
| #17 | $42,774 | 19 | $24,990 | Manageable | $29,300 | 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 →
