Economics at Wayne State University

Wayne State's economics program shows one of the more impressive earnings trajectories in Michigan public higher education. That $50,648 starting salary jumps to nearly $74,000 by year four—a 46% increase that suggests graduates are either entering industries with steep growth curves or successfully leveraging their degree into better positions. While the program ranks just below the national median initially, it lands in Michigan's top 40% and substantially outpaces what's typical for the state.

The debt picture here is genuinely manageable. At roughly $25,000, graduates owe less than both state and national medians, creating a first-year debt-to-earnings ratio under 0.5—meaning the debt equals less than half a year's salary. For comparison, you're looking at similar or higher debt loads at Grand Valley and Michigan State, which both start around $54,000 in earnings. Only U-M Ann Arbor clearly dominates this program, but at a much more selective institution.

For families seeking an economics degree without breaking the bank, particularly Detroit-area residents who can leverage in-state tuition at an accessible university (82% admission rate), this represents solid value. The four-year earnings figure suggests employers increasingly value these graduates' skills, and the low debt burden means your child won't spend years digging out from under loans. Just verify that the career trajectory matches their goals—not every field rewards economics majors with this kind of growth curve.