Compare 19 Sports Studies. programs in Michigan. Average earnings: $44,730.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Sports Studies tells a different story. Across 19 programs in Michigan, earnings range from $21,508 to $68,944—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor's Sports Studies program leads with graduates earning $68,944, well above the $44,730 state average. Michigan Tech follows at $53,316, while Michigan State hits $52,910—proving that multiple programs can deliver strong outcomes regardless of overall institutional prestige.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor graduates borrow $19,500 and face just a 5.8% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income.
Highest program earnings: $68,944
Strong outcomes with 88% acceptance
5.8% payment burden | Excellent
16.1% family burden | Manageable
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $68,944 | 270 | $19,500 | Excellent | $30,250 | Manageable | |
| #2 | $53,316 | 31 | $24,990 | Good | $29,300 | High | |
| #3 | $52,910 | 339 | $23,250 | Good | $37,401 | High | |
| #4 | Northwood UniversityPrivate | $51,782 | 26 | $20,842 | Good | $21,265 | Challenging |
| #5 | Aquinas CollegePrivate | $51,147 | 23 | $23,000 | Good | $24,361 | Challenging |
| #6 | Albion CollegePrivate | $50,458 | 19 | $27,000 | Manageable | $32,317 | High |
| #7 | Calvin UniversityPrivate | $47,546 | 34 | $23,250 | Manageable | $33,900 | High |
| #8 | $47,266 | 105 | $26,188 | Manageable | $22,488 | High | |
| #9 | $46,202 | 286 | $27,000 | Manageable | $23,103 | High | |
| #10 | $45,998 | 123 | $25,000 | Manageable | $16,878 | High | |
| #11 | Adrian CollegePrivate | $45,350 | 34 | $27,000 | Manageable | $38,405 | High |
| #12 | Davenport UniversityPrivate | $44,981 | 27 | $26,000 | Manageable | $18,037 | High |
| #13 | Hope CollegePrivate | $41,685 | 29 | $26,800 | Challenging | $48,059 | High |
| #14 | $40,717 | 66 | $25,000 | Challenging | $18,264 | High | |
| #15 | The University Of OlivetPrivate | $38,906 | 26 | $27,000 | Challenging | $23,700 | High |
| #16 | Cornerstone UniversityPrivate | $38,352 | 14 | $25,000 | Challenging | $18,141 | High |
| #17 | $32,895 | 28 | $21,474 | High | $17,287 | High | |
| #18 | $29,913 | 272 | $24,500 | High | $26,392 | High | |
| #19 | Spring Arbor UniversityPrivate | $21,508 | 15 | $26,375 | High | $18,988 | 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 →
