Location: East Lansing, MI•In-State Tuition: $15,988•Out-of-State Tuition: $43,372•Admission Rate: 84%•Avg SAT: 1261
Median Earnings (1yr)
$48,185
13th percentile
40th percentile in Michigan
Median Debt
$23,442
13% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.49 ManageableSample: 40 graduates

Analysis

Michigan State's IT management program earns graduates $48,185 in their first year—about $10,000 below what typical Michigan students make in this field and nearly $18,000 less than what graduates from Michigan Tech earn. While $48K isn't terrible for a starting salary, it ranks in just the 13th percentile nationally and sits near the bottom half of Michigan programs. The moderate debt load of $23,442 is actually below average for this field, but that doesn't change the fundamental problem: these earnings are surprisingly low for a Big Ten university's tech program.

The 0.49 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable in absolute terms—your child could theoretically pay off this debt within five years. But context matters here. Michigan Tech's grads earn 60% more coming out of the gate, and even smaller schools like Baker College and Ferris State are placing students into significantly higher-paying positions. At a school with an 84% admission rate, you're not paying for selectivity, but you should still expect better career outcomes in a high-demand field like IT management.

If your child has offers from Michigan Tech, EMU, or Baker College, those programs deliver substantially more earning power for similar or lower debt. MSU may offer other advantages—campus life, broader alumni network—but purely as a return on investment for IT management, this program underperforms both its in-state competition and the national field.

Where Michigan State University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all computer/information technology administration and management bachelors's programs nationally

Michigan State UniversityOther computer/information technology administration and management programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Michigan State University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Michigan State University earns $48k — 13th percentile among computer/information technology administration and management bachelors programs.

Compare to Similar Programs in Michigan

Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Michigan (14 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing$15,988$48,185—$23,4420.49
Michigan Technological UniversityHoughton$18,392$77,810$79,637$27,0000.35
Eastern Michigan UniversityYpsilanti$15,510$59,433—$25,6250.43
Baker CollegeOwosso$12,810$57,128$60,985$34,5620.60
Ferris State UniversityBig Rapids$13,630$54,840$69,490$27,0000.49
Davenport UniversityGrand Rapids$23,324$50,720$69,748$28,8920.57
National Median—$58,056—$27,0000.47

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with computer/information technology administration and management graduates

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

$171,200/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer Network Architects

Design and implement computer and information networks, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), intranets, extranets, and other data communications networks. Perform network modeling, analysis, and planning, including analysis of capacity needs for network infrastructures. May also design network and computer security measures. May research and recommend network and data communications hardware and software.

$130,390/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Telecommunications Engineering Specialists

Design or configure wired, wireless, and satellite communications systems for voice, video, and data services. Supervise installation, service, and maintenance.

$130,390/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Information Security Analysts

Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. Assess system vulnerabilities for security risks and propose and implement risk mitigation strategies. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.

$124,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Database Administrators

Administer, test, and implement computer databases, applying knowledge of database management systems. Coordinate changes to computer databases. Identify, investigate, and resolve database performance issues, database capacity, and database scalability. May plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard computer databases.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Database Architects

Design strategies for enterprise databases, data warehouse systems, and multidimensional networks. Set standards for database operations, programming, query processes, and security. Model, design, and construct large relational databases or data warehouses. Create and optimize data models for warehouse infrastructure and workflow. Integrate new systems with existing warehouse structure and refine system performance and functionality.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Warehousing Specialists

Design, model, or implement corporate data warehousing activities. Program and configure warehouses of database information and provide support to warehouse users.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Project Management Specialists

Analyze and coordinate the schedule, timeline, procurement, staffing, and budget of a product or service on a per project basis. Lead and guide the work of technical staff. May serve as a point of contact for the client or customer.

$100,750/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

Install, configure, and maintain an organization's local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), data communications network, operating systems, and physical and virtual servers. Perform system monitoring and verify the integrity and availability of hardware, network, and server resources and systems. Review system and application logs and verify completion of scheduled jobs, including system backups. Analyze network and server resource consumption and control user access. Install and upgrade software and maintain software licenses. May assist in network modeling, analysis, planning, and coordination between network and data communications hardware and software.

$96,800/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Web Developers

Develop and implement websites, web applications, application databases, and interactive web interfaces. Evaluate code to ensure that it is properly structured, meets industry standards, and is compatible with browsers and devices. Optimize website performance, scalability, and server-side code and processes. May develop website infrastructure and integrate websites with other computer applications.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Web and Digital Interface Designers

Design digital user interfaces or websites. Develop and test layouts, interfaces, functionality, and navigation menus to ensure compatibility and usability across browsers or devices. May use web framework applications as well as client-side code and processes. May evaluate web design following web and accessibility standards, and may analyze web use metrics and optimize websites for marketability and search engine ranking. May design and test interfaces that facilitate the human-computer interaction and maximize the usability of digital devices, websites, and software with a focus on aesthetics and design. May create graphics used in websites and manage website content and links.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Video Game Designers

Design core features of video games. Specify innovative game and role-play mechanics, story lines, and character biographies. Create and maintain design documentation. Guide and collaborate with production staff to produce games as designed.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
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 Michigan State University, approximately 20% 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 40 graduates with reported earnings and 38 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.