Eastern Michigan University

What are the graduation rates for students at Eastern Michigan University?

Graduation rates at Eastern Michigan University indicate challenges in student completion relative to national benchmarks. The overall graduation rate stands at 45%, placing the university in the lower 30th percentile compared to peer institutions. This suggests that less than half of the students complete their programs within an expected timeframe.

When broken down by gender, completion rates reveal a slight disparity. Men graduate at a rate of 40%, while women have a higher rate of 49%, with both figures still situated in the bottom third nationally. This difference highlights that female students at Eastern Michigan University tend to complete their degrees at a somewhat higher rate than their male counterparts.

Completion within four years is particularly low, with only 23% of students graduating in this standard timeframe. This places the university in the bottom 20% for four-year graduation rates, indicating that most students require additional time to finish their studies. The six-year graduation rate improves to 45%, but remains within the lower 30th percentile nationally, suggesting extended academic paths are common.

Student retention rates mirror these trends. The first-year retention rate is 68%, which also ranks in the bottom 30th percentile, pointing to difficulties in maintaining student enrollment beyond the initial year.

What is the earning potential for graduates at Eastern Michigan University?

Graduates of Eastern Michigan University experience a wide range of earning potentials depending on their field of study, with some disciplines offering considerably higher salaries than others. Among the top earners are those who majored in Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, with median earnings reaching approximately $65,000. Similarly, degrees in Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians and Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians also provide strong financial returns, with salaries around $64,898 and $62,313 respectively.

Students who pursued degrees in technology and computer science generally earn above-average incomes. For instance, graduates in Computer and Information Sciences, General make around $61,034, while those in Computer Science earn approximately $58,700. Fields linked to business and finance also demonstrate solid earning potential: Construction Management majors achieve about $63,660 annually, and those with degrees in Accounting and Related Services and Business/Commerce, General see earnings near $45,158 and $45,558 respectively.

Other fields with respectable incomes include Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services at $46,112, Air Transportation at $45,160, and Economics with earnings around $42,719. Business-related specializations such as International Business and Finance and Financial Management Services report salaries in the mid $40,000 range, while Marketing graduates earn approximately $41,201.

Some social science and humanities fields at the university offer more modest earnings. For example, Criminology majors can expect about $35,159, Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication graduates earn near $35,779, and Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other fields show earnings of $34,111. Health-related areas such as Special Education and Teaching and Chemistry provide median incomes in the range of $38,000 to $39,000.

Degrees in Communication and Media Studies yield earnings near $33,216, while fields like Social Work and Biology, General report salaries slightly above $30,000. Conversely, areas such as Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies generate roughly $30,353, with Psychology, General seeing median earnings around $28,005.

Lower-earning fields include disciplines like English Language and Literature, General with approximately $26,306, Graphic Communications at $25,302, and Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies earning about $22,046. Similarly, Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduates have earnings near $21,380.