Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies at Ferris State University

Ferris State's writing program graduates start behind most of their peers—earning $23,508 in the first year, which falls in the 23rd percentile nationally and barely reaches the 40th percentile among Michigan's 22 writing programs. That's $4,700 below the national median and means new graduates are earning roughly $3,000 less annually than peers at Grand Valley State or Calvin University. The $21,500 median debt is modest compared to the $25,000 national average, but with that first-year salary, the debt-to-earnings ratio still sits at 0.91—meaning debt nearly equals a full year's wages.

The trajectory does improve substantially: by year four, earnings jump 55% to $36,336, surpassing both state and national medians. This suggests the degree eventually delivers value, though the early struggle is real. For context, that four-year salary still trails what Oakland University grads earn right out of the gate.

The caveat here matters: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes vary widely. If your student is debt-averse and can tolerate lean early years while building their career, the low debt load combined with strong growth could work. But families expecting immediate financial stability after graduation should recognize that other Michigan programs offer $8,000-$11,000 more in starting salary—a significant cushion during those crucial first years of loan repayment.