Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at Western Michigan University vary significantly by field of study. These rankings evaluate each program by post-graduation earnings, debt burden, and return on investment — not prestige or reputation.
Use this analysis to compare programs and understand which fields deliver the strongest outcomes.
Analyzing 58 programs with available earnings data.
$65K median earnings
recent graduates
This bar shows the range of median earnings across all majors at this school.
The tables below compare programs in each category by earnings, rank, debt, and cohort size.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at Western Michigan University.
Paper Science and Engineering leads engineering & technology with 103K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper Science and EngineeringSmall sample | — | $102,825★ | — | 15 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering | #173 |
Program rankings are derived entirely from post-graduation outcomes. We do not use reputation surveys, selectivity metrics, or SAT scores. This means some programs may rank differently than you'd expect based on prestige — and that's intentional.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
Resources, cohort size, and graduation rates
Trajectory from early to mid-career
| $95,469 |
| — |
| 34 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General | #42 | $94,177 | $35,186 | 41 |
| Industrial Engineering | #60 | $92,306 | — | 34 |
| Chemical Engineering, Other | #105 | $91,777 | — | 47 |
| Computer Science | #160 | $90,876 | — | 47 |
| Engineering DesignSmall sample | #16 | $88,746 | — | 13 |
| Mechanical Engineering | #212 | $87,477 | — | 82 |
| 3-D Modeling and Design Technology/Technician | — | $84,622 | — | 20 |
| Chemical Engineering Technology/Technician | #21 | $82,740 | — | 27 |
| Civil Engineering, General | #165 | $78,368 | — | 28 |
| Artificial Intelligence | #192 | $74,566 | — | 28 |
Business & Economics graduates earn 67K on average, with 1 program ranking in the national Top 10.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management, General | #108 | $75,143★ | $19,180 | 239 |
| Banking and Financial Support Services | #88 | $72,353 | $17,206 | 194 |
| Executive/Career Coaching | #27 | $71,870 | $31,096 | 44 |
| Digital Marketing | #50 | $71,371 | $23,301 | 277 |
| Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping | #196 | $66,666 | $26,548 | 172 |
| Apparel and Accessories Marketing Operations | #10 | $46,543 | — | 29 |
Health graduates earn 61K on average, with 1 program ranking in the national Top 10.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Health Nurse/Nursing | #208 | $83,449★ | $16,800 | 115 |
| Animal-Assisted Therapy | #7 | $68,351 | — | 65 |
| Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist | #91 | $58,023 | — | 31 |
| Clinical Nutrition/Nutritionist | #21 | $56,449 | — | 27 |
| Clinical Research Coordinator | #43 | $54,265 | $18,460 | 51 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions, OtherSmall sample | #90 | $48,065 | — | 11 |
Biology, General leads sciences & mathematics with 59K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology, General | #178 | $59,249★ | $27,377 | 143 |
| Geochemistry and PetrologySmall sample | #68 | $58,164 | — | 14 |
| Analytical ChemistrySmall sample | — | $49,683 | — | 8 |
| Aquatic Biology/LimnologySmall sample | — | $23,846 | — | 10 |
Social Sciences & Policy graduates earn 50K on average, with 1 program ranking in the national Top 10.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Behavior Analysis | #4 | $64,679★ | — | 70 |
| American Government and Politics (United States) | #226 | $54,840 | — | 51 |
| Applied/Public SociologySmall sample | #173 | $51,835 | — | 18 |
| Psychology, General | #196 | $50,655 | $26,000 | 116 |
| Geographic Information Science and Cartography | #73 | $49,921 | — | 22 |
| Forensic Social Work | #131 | $49,850 | $20,345 | 73 |
| Anthropology, GeneralSmall sample | #110 | $41,490 | — | 13 |
| Applied EconomicsSmall sample | — | $33,993 | — | 12 |
Advertising leads communications with 64K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advertising | #33 | $64,127★ | $24,275 | 66 |
| Communication and Media Studies, Other | #197 | $51,446 | — | 39 |
Commercial Photography leads humanities & arts with 59K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Photography | #62 | $58,634★ | — | 64 |
| American History (United States)Small sample | #231 | $46,909 | — | 17 |
| Cinematography and Film/Video Production | #50 | $45,391 | — | 32 |
| BalletSmall sample | #14 | $45,108 | — | 16 |
| Acting | #19 | $44,694 | $17,896 | 37 |
| English Language and Literature, General | #261 | $43,628 | — | 20 |
| Creative Writing | #37 | $40,792 | — | 27 |
| Catalan Language and Literature | #130 | $37,013 | — | 27 |
| Art History, Criticism and Conservation | #200 | $36,615 | — | 27 |
| Brass Instruments | #120 | $36,254 | — | 68 |
Education/Teaching of Individuals Who are Developmentally Delayed leads education with 51K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education/Teaching of Individuals Who are Developmentally DelayedSmall sample | #66 | $50,665★ | — | 15 |
| Agricultural Teacher Education | #79 | $49,340 | $18,550 | 111 |
| Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching | #159 | $47,898 | $22,488 | 70 |
Environmental Science leads agriculture & environment with 22K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Science | — | $21,919 | — | 30 |
Corrections Administration leads criminal justice with 57K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corrections Administration | #115 | $57,012 | $35,640 | 119 |
Other & Interdisciplinary graduates earn 57K on average, with 1 program ranking in the national Top 10.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology, General | #6 | $89,564★ | $57,202 | 214 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | #46 | $54,597 | $23,460 | 175 |
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology | #188 | $50,134 | $38,151 | 146 |
| Adult Development and Aging | #45 | $49,286 | $26,696 | 77 |
| International/Globalization StudiesSmall sample | — | $40,663 | — | 8 |
Why rankings may differ by program: A university's nursing program and business program can have entirely different outcome profiles. Our methodology surfaces these differences so you can evaluate programs — not just institutions.
