Public Administration at Wayne State University

Wayne State's Public Administration bachelor's produces first-year earnings of $38,767—about 14% below the national median but exactly matching Michigan's state median. While this might initially seem disappointing, the program actually ranks in the 60th percentile among Michigan schools, beating programs at larger institutions like Grand Valley State. The key advantage here is debt: at $30,750, graduates carry about $7,000 more than the national median but only slightly above Michigan's typical debt load, resulting in a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.79.

The real question is whether public sector career paths—which this degree typically leads to—align with your family's financial expectations. Government and nonprofit salaries start modest but offer stability, benefits, and loan forgiveness programs that aren't captured in these first-year numbers. Given Wayne State's mission serving Detroit's working-class students (43% receive Pell grants), many graduates may prioritize public service over maximizing income.

The small sample size here matters—fewer than 30 graduates means one or two outcomes can swing these numbers significantly. If your child is committed to public administration work and wants to stay in Michigan, this program delivers solid middle-of-the-pack performance with reasonable debt. But if they're uncertain about the career path, the below-average national earnings should prompt serious consideration of whether this specific major makes financial sense.