Compare 12 Writing, General. programs in Michigan. Average earnings: $34,651.
The highest-earning Writing, General. program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $37K earnings gap across 12 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
Michigan State University's Writing, General. program leads with graduates earning $55,081—36% above the state average of $34,651. The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor follows at $40,555, while UM-Flint rounds out the top three at $38,289. This variation shows program execution matters more than university reputation.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Michigan State graduates borrow $23,250 and face just a 9.8% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. That means loan payments take a manageable bite out of their post-grad income, making it both the top earner and best value for students.
Highest program earnings: $55,081
Strong outcomes ($55,081) with 84% acceptance
9.8% payment burden | Good - payment 8-12% of discretionary
28.0% family burden | High burden - payment over 25% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $55,081 | 35 | $23,250 | Good | $37,401 | High | |
| #2 | $40,555 | 36 | $19,500 | Manageable | $30,250 | High | |
| #3 | $38,289 | 10 | $25,000 | Challenging | $12,953 | High | |
| #4 | Ferris State UniversityPublic | $36,336 | 16 | $21,000 | Challenging | $14,849 | High |
| #5 | $35,941 | 19 | $25,000 | High | $16,878 | High | |
| #6 | $35,518 | 26 | $25,000 | High | $18,264 | High | |
| #7 | $35,370 | 37 | $24,500 | High | $26,392 | High | |
| #8 | $34,119 | 44 | $26,188 | High | $22,488 | High | |
| #9 | Oakland UniversityPublic | $32,405 | 30 | $22,750 | High | $17,858 | High |
| #10 | $29,758 | 22 | $21,474 | High | $17,287 | High | |
| #11 | Calvin UniversityPrivate | $24,615 | 14 | $23,250 | High | $33,900 | High |
| #12 | Aquinas CollegePrivate | $17,827 | 11 | $23,000 | High | $24,361 | 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 →
