Engineering Physics at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Michigan's Engineering Physics program comes with an estimated debt load of $24,250—roughly in line with the national median for this credential—while peer programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $57,000. That produces a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42, meaning graduates would owe less than half their annual salary. For an engineering degree at a highly selective institution (18% admission rate), these numbers look reasonable on paper, though it's worth noting they're drawn from a limited pool of comparable programs nationwide rather than Michigan's actual outcomes.

The fact that the Department of Education suppresses this data tells you something important: Engineering Physics produces relatively few graduates, even at a major research university. This isn't necessarily bad—small, specialized programs can offer tremendous value—but it means you're evaluating a niche path without the benefit of Michigan-specific track records. Similar programs typically lead to graduate school or specialized technical roles, so the one-year earnings snapshot may not capture the full picture of where these graduates land five or ten years out.

For a student targeting advanced research, national lab positions, or graduate study in physics or engineering, this program's rigor and Michigan's reputation could justify the investment. But if your child isn't certain about that level of specialization, the lack of program-specific outcomes data makes this a leap of faith—one that's more defensible at Michigan than at most schools, but still a leap.