Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 56.5%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 57.8%
- Retention Rate
- 79.9%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $53,562
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $26,188
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 55.6%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $278/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $103,274 | $88,297 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $84,653 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $73,801 | $43,731 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $73,562 | $27,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $70,776 | $29,000 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Doctoral | $70,456 | $68,549 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $69,338 | $29,000 |
| Industrial Engineering. | Bachelor | $69,338 | |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. | Bachelor | $65,945 | $27,000 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $63,749 | $27,000 |
| Chemical Engineering. | Bachelor | $63,005 | $27,758 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $62,626 | $25,500 |
| Statistics. | Master | $62,012 | |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $60,771 | $29,875 |
| Engineering-Related Fields. | Bachelor | $59,576 | $27,000 |
Outcomes Overview
Western Michigan graduates earn a median of $53,562 within ten years, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49 with typical debt loads of $26,188. Monthly loan payments of $278 consume about 6.2% of gross income for median earners. The 96.4% employment rate reflects strong job placement across Michigan's manufacturing and healthcare sectors. Aviation program graduates often join major airlines, while engineering alumni find positions with companies like Stryker and Kellogg. The loan repayment rate of 55.61% sits below national averages, suggesting some graduates struggle with payments despite decent earning potential. With reasonable debt levels and solid career outcomes in specialized fields, Western Michigan offers an average return on investment.