Graduate earnings are in line with similar institutions.
What graduates earn 10 years after enrollment.
Annual salary at 10 years
Lower quartile earnings
Upper quartile earnings
How graduate earnings grow in the decade after enrollment.
Wayne State University graduates experience steady earnings growth throughout the post-graduation period. Earnings begin at $45,207 six years after enrollment, increase to $50,384 at eight years, and reach $53,493 at ten years, representing 18.3% growth from the six-year to ten-year measurement points.
How outcomes compare to similar institutions.
Graduate earnings fall below the peer average for similar institutions.
Financial justification for the investment.
Healthy debt burden. Most graduates can manage $21,250 in debt with typical earnings.
Wayne State University graduates carry median debt of $21,250, ranking at the 62nd percentile nationally and indicating above average borrowing levels. Student debt ranges from $6,668 at the 25th percentile to $30,250 at the 75th percentile, showing significant variation in borrowing patterns among graduates.
Wayne State University delivers above average return on educational investment, ranking at the 69.3rd percentile with above average tier performance. The institution generates $9,150 in earnings beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing it at the 84.0th percentile for value-added performance with well above average designation.
Approximately 24.2% of Wayne State University graduates continue to graduate or professional study based on program mix analysis with high confidence....
Program mix explains much of the earnings story.
Program-level earnings demonstrate the significant variation driving Wayne State University's overall outcomes. Artificial Intelligence leads institutional earnings at $98,072, followed by Mechanical Engineering at $94,043 and Health Professions at $92,578, representing the high-return technical and professional pathways.
International Business produces strong earnings of $72,684 with substantial enrollment, while Adult Health Nursing earns $67,571. These high-performing programs contrast with service-oriented fields like Psychology at $45,540 and Behavioral Aspects of Health at $32,584, which prepare students for different career markets with corresponding compensation levels.
See which programs drive the strongest earnings and career trajectories
Earnings outcomes show meaningful variation reflecting Wayne State University's diverse program portfolio and student career choices. The distribution spans from $29,797 at the 25th percentile to $79,117 at the 75th percentile, creating substantial upside potential for graduates in high-demand fields.