Business/Commerce at Saginaw Valley State University

The small sample size here (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could swing significantly with just a few data points, but the pattern they show is worrying: Saginaw Valley State's business program ranks in just the 25th percentile among Michigan business schools, with first-year earnings nearly $12,500 below the state median. Even four years out, graduates earn $58,706—still trailing programs at Oakland, Walsh, Cleary, and Davenport by meaningful margins. In a state with 13 business programs to choose from, this one struggles to compete.

The 57% earnings growth from year one to year four is genuinely strong and suggests graduates do gain traction in their careers. The $28,000 debt load sits slightly above both state and national medians, but isn't catastrophic given the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.75. Still, when your child could attend Oakland or Davenport and potentially earn $50,000+ right out of college versus $37,000, the opportunity cost adds up quickly over time.

For Michigan families, this program appears to lag behind other in-state options without offering a compensating advantage in lower debt or better outcomes. Unless there are compelling non-financial reasons—location, specific faculty connections, or family circumstances—it's worth closely examining higher-performing Michigan business programs before committing here.