OT--Government Released College Statistics (Yet Another Reason to Choose UM over MSU, OSU)

Submitted by gremlin on

Average salary ten years after attending UM: USD 57,900.

Average salary ten years after attending MSU: USD 49,800.

Average salary ten years after attending OSU: USD 42,600.

 

https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/search/?state=MI&sort=advantage:desc

https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/search/?state=OH&name=ohio%20state&sort…

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Michael

September 14th, 2015 at 12:06 AM ^

There are many ironies in this thread, but the one that strikes me the most is that so many equate success with income. Aside from that being an ignorant and destructive way at viewing society, it runs antithetical to the Michigan ethos.

There are many Michigan grads who, ten years after enrollment, aren't making more than 60k annually. This is also true for other well-respected universities. This segment includes teachers, nurses, members of the armed services, other government employees (to include the entire national security apparatus), academia, and other non-profit positions.

The holier-than-thou tone of some folks on this thread is really interesting, considering (and I welcome a counter-argument) they are likely the ones contributing the least to humanity. 

Joined: 06/30/2008

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NJWolverine

September 14th, 2015 at 12:21 AM ^

I agree that income is only one measure of what you get out of a degree.  I also agree that if you're truly passionate about something, you should do it. 

However, most college students don't have a true passion, so practicality has to be taken into consideration.  The most practical degrees are in the STEM fields.  These stats prove that.  If these stats can get more people involved in those fields, I'm all for it. 

As for your point about contributing to humanity, I don't know about the professions you mentioned.  However, I will say that in my experience, STEM degrees are much more interchangeable and flexible than other degrees.  For example, you can't use a business degree to be an engineer, but it does work the other way.  A lot of Wall Street firms hire STEM majors over business majors because algorithms have become much more important in decision making.  A STEM major has an advantage in the legal industry because they can become patent attorneys.  A STEM major has an advantage in the teaching profession because there's a shortage of math and science teachers. 

Of course, as with anything, you need to do well in your chosen field of study.

Joined: 08/31/2008

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Michael

September 14th, 2015 at 12:28 AM ^

I agree with almost everything you have said, particularly since my problem is with the people on this thread who equate success with income.

I view this from the perspective of someone who works in the national security apparatus, where there is a ton of room for people in STEM and also the liberal arts to make a contribution. But all of those people make far less than people from similar backgrounds, which is my point: there are a lot of people out there (Michigan grads especially) who forego higher salaries in order to make the world a better place, yet there is a vocal segment of our alumni base who doesn't seem to understand that.

 

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Mabel Pines

September 14th, 2015 at 7:46 AM ^

means different things to different people.  Technically people who make $300,000 are contributing to society with the higher taxes they pay.  And they may have more $$ to donate to charity.  So while someone who makes $60,000 may have a job that seems more helpful to society, all folks "contribute" differently. 

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Avant's Hands

September 14th, 2015 at 8:33 AM ^

I still think your point goes too far. You act like once someone makes over 60k then it's all about them making money and they don't contribute to society. Doctors and nurses? Who needs them? Engineers also must be pretty useless. Conversely, I had a lot of teachers in high school who I can promise you weren't contributing a damn thing.

Your post made a lot of sense, but any way you describe it your last paragraph invalidated your point for me by going to the other extreme.

Joined: 10/22/2011

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Silly Goose

September 14th, 2015 at 12:15 AM ^

Do these numbers account for the economy these past 10 years?

I know when I graduated there were no jobs available, especially living in Michigan like I was. I'm doing all right now, but it was tough to get into the entry level career path until a year or two after graduation. I imagine if we started looking at data from now you would have a higher average.

Also, I wonder if the out of state students are throwing this off? If top Michigan grads are going to NYC or SF, you would have very different salaries than other Big 10 school grads who head to Chicago.

Joined: 04/17/2010

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Ronnie Kaye

September 14th, 2015 at 12:49 AM ^

Well, so much for the value of a college education being intangible.

Pretty douchey idea for a thread by the OP.

Joined: 05/09/2015

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Sideline

September 14th, 2015 at 9:55 AM ^

Someone mentioned the value of a college degree dropping exponentially year after year... It's sad really... But a higher number of the population are going to college than what jobs are out there that really 'require' a degree. If you're not a doctor/science/engineering major... The income/debt ratio isn't worth it. I've noticed most 'business' degrees are not necessary in the world of sales.

Joined: 12/09/2009

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LSAClassOf2000

September 14th, 2015 at 7:14 AM ^

As for my own meager contribution, I graduated, got into the Internet bubble just in time for it to blow up in my face, then fell into the aircraft systems industry for a couple years, then the utility industry, so through no fault of my own I may have helped Michigan's average because I had no effing clue what I really wanted to do (and as you can see by my presence on MGoBlog, I am 37 and probably still don't really know). Somewhere in there, I picked up an MBA, so while my pay may have been going up, my loan statements made sure I didn't feel like it was going up. 

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Zoltanrules

September 14th, 2015 at 9:19 AM ^

Aside from Engineering, BBA, and a few other programs one can get similar undergrad educations at most B1G schools if one choses challenging curricula.

UM and NW do "shine" in that they are getting more and more selective so in theory your fellow classmates are supposed to be smarter. OSU has upped their game in selectivity while MSU honestly needs to follow suit.

Looking at our President's actions - UM's direction is to compete with the elite private schools in California and Ivies - top grad programs, elite research, true world wide leadership. With that does come some insane salaries, but that is not always a real measure of education.

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The Claw

September 14th, 2015 at 9:33 AM ^

I graduated from OSU in 1997 and my starting salary was $39,600.  And I was below average for my degree.  Granted it was Engineering but still.  Almost 20 years later and the average is only $42,600? I just don't see it.  Weird.

Joined: 08/25/2008

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Sideline

September 14th, 2015 at 9:52 AM ^

Plenty of people making the lower end vs the fewer number at the higher end... It's also taking in account all degrees... So 'Arts' majors make significantly less than the engineering, business, science majors... At least that's my take... I'm sure there may be spouses who don't have to work factored into this as well...

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