Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Michigan's flagship engineering program launches graduates into immediate six-figure territory—$87,606 in year one, climbing to nearly $98,000 by year four—while keeping debt remarkably low at $18,667. That's roughly $6,000 less debt than the typical Michigan engineering graduate carries, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio that makes this degree practically self-financing within the first year of work.

Here's where it gets interesting: while this program ranks in the 95th percentile nationally, it sits at only the 60th percentile among Michigan schools. That speaks to the strength of engineering education across the state rather than any weakness here. In fact, you're getting outcomes comparable to Kettering (known for its co-op intensity) but with the resources and prestige of a top-tier research university. The 18% admission rate reflects genuine selectivity, not artificial scarcity.

For a parent weighing the investment, the math is straightforward: your graduate enters a field with steady 11% earnings growth and immediately out-earns 95% of electrical engineering graduates nationwide, all while carrying minimal debt. The combination of UMich's alumni network, competitive starting salaries, and manageable financial burden makes this one of the clearest value propositions in engineering education.