Civil Engineering at University of Detroit Mercy

The numbers for civil engineering at University of Detroit Mercy tell a reasonably reassuring story, though you're working with estimates here. Based on comparable civil engineering programs in Michigan, first-year earnings around $71,500 against estimated debt of $27,000 produces a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38. That means your child would owe roughly $2.85 for every $10 earned in their first year—a workable burden for an engineering graduate entering a stable profession.

What's worth noting is how this estimated outcome stacks up against Michigan's civil engineering landscape. The $71,500 figure sits right at the state median, and it's competitive with larger programs like Michigan Tech and Western Michigan. Lawrence Tech's graduates earn more at nearly $78,000, but that $6,300 difference isn't dramatic enough to dismiss Detroit Mercy outright, especially if location or fit matters to your family. The estimated debt here is actually slightly lower than Michigan's median of $28,000 for these programs, which helps offset any earnings disadvantage.

The practical reality: if these estimates hold true, your child would be entering a field with solid fundamentals—infrastructure spending supports consistent demand for civil engineers. The 0.38 debt ratio suggests monthly loan payments that won't overwhelm an entry-level engineering salary. Just recognize you're making this decision without school-specific outcomes data, so understanding why this program fits your child's specific goals becomes even more important than usual.