Analysis
Eastern Michigan's business program lands squarely in the middle of the pack nationally, but within Michigan, it underperforms most alternatives. Graduates earn less than the state median for business majors—roughly $50,000 versus EMU's $47,000 first-year mark—placing this program in the 40th percentile among Michigan business schools. Every comparison school listed, from Oakland to Davenport, produces higher-earning graduates, with Oakland grads earning $10,000 more annually.
The debt picture offers some relief: at $33,294, graduates carry about $7,000 more than the national median, but the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.71 remains manageable. Earnings do grow 15% over four years to nearly $54,000, suggesting steady career progression. For families choosing between Michigan schools primarily on tuition cost, EMU may make sense if it's significantly cheaper than Oakland or Walsh. But if net costs are similar after financial aid, those alternatives deliver stronger starting positions.
The bottom line: This is a serviceable business degree that won't sink your child financially, but it's not a competitive choice within Michigan's landscape. If EMU is the affordable option, it can work—just know you're trading some earning potential for lower tuition.
Where Eastern Michigan University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all business/commerce bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Eastern Michigan University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Michigan University | $46,827 | $53,872 | +15% |
| Walsh College | $55,524 | $65,539 | +18% |
| Kalamazoo College | $47,481 | $64,986 | +37% |
| Saginaw Valley State University | $37,424 | $58,706 | +57% |
| Davenport University | $52,491 | $57,180 | +9% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Michigan
Business/Commerce bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Michigan (13 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Eastern Michigan UniversityYpsilanti | $15,510 | $46,827 | $53,872 | $33,294 | 0.71 |
 Oakland UniversityRochester Hills | $14,694 | $56,118 | $56,029 | $27,250 | 0.49 |
 Walsh CollegeTroy | — | $55,524 | $65,539 | $18,000 | 0.32 |
 Cleary UniversityHowell | $24,842 | $53,495 | — | $19,161 | 0.36 |
 Davenport UniversityGrand Rapids | $23,324 | $52,491 | $57,180 | $31,000 | 0.59 |
 Kalamazoo CollegeKalamazoo | $58,764 | $47,481 | $64,986 | $26,000 | 0.55 |
| National Median | — | $47,506 | — | $26,000 | 0.55 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with business/commerce graduates
Sales Managers
Industrial Production Managers
Quality Control Systems Managers
Geothermal Production Managers
Biofuels Production Managers
Biomass Power Plant Managers
Hydroelectric Production Managers
Construction Managers
Administrative Services Managers
Facilities Managers
Security Managers
Chief Executives
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Eastern Michigan University, approximately 37% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 48 graduates with reported earnings and 51 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.