Eastern Michigan University
#6 Best Communications Colleges in Michigan- Graduation Rate
- 46% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $51,793 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $15,407 C+
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 80% C
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 21.1× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $21.1 over 20 years. Ranked #6 in Best Communications Colleges in Michigan.
Every $1 spent returns $21.1 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,235,831.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 27% above the national college median.
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Graduation of 46% — 20% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $21.1 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.2%
- Top 83%
- Patents
- 15
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 86
- Downstream influence
Why Eastern Michigan University Matters
Eastern Michigan University is a public research university in Ypsilanti, MI and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong research base and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R2 · High Research
- Enrollment
- 10,055
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Education, Computer Science & IT
Why students choose Eastern Michigan University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 80% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 920–1170. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $15,407 a year after grants and scholarships — 10% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $51,793 ten years after enrolling — 27% above the typical college, against $25,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.2% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 67% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.35 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of over 10,000 students, Eastern Michigan University is a solid choice for those looking for a broad range of programs and a welcoming environment. It fits well for students who appreciate a diverse academic experience, especially in areas like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Education, Psychology, and Computer Science & IT. The university's acceptance rate of 80% means that many students have the chance to pursue their educational goals here, regardless of their academic background.
Life after graduation at Eastern Michigan can be promising, with a median earnings figure of $51,793 after ten years. This number gives us a glimpse into the potential financial outcomes for graduates, suggesting that students can find success in their chosen fields. While the graduation rate sits at 46%, it's important to consider that many graduates do manage to navigate the job market effectively. The affordability is also a plus, especially for those who qualify for financial aid, as 37% of students receive Pell Grants.
When looking at the practical details, the net price for attendance after aid is around $15,407, which is relatively manageable compared to many other institutions. The median debt for graduates is $25,000, which is a reasonable figure in the context of rising education costs. Students who tend to thrive here are often those who are proactive and engaged, ready to take advantage of the university's resources and networks. Eastern Michigan can be a great fit for those who are looking to balance cost with a solid educational experience.
Rankings
- #6 Best Communications Colleges in Michigan
- #10 Best Education Colleges in Michigan
- #11 Best Computer Science Colleges in Michigan
- #11 Best Data Science Colleges in Michigan
- #13 Best MBA Programs in Michigan
- #15 Best Biology Colleges in Michigan
- #16 Best Bachelor's Programs in Michigan
- #16 Best Master's Programs in Michigan
Can I Get In?
How selective Eastern Michigan University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Eastern Michigan University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Eastern Michigan University, located in Ypsilanti, Michigan, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 80%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,066. The graduation rate is roughly 46%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 80%
- Retention Rate
- 69%
- SAT Average
- 1066
- ACT Midpoint
- 22
- SAT Range
- 920–1170
- ACT Range
- 18–27
- Full-Time Faculty
- 99%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,472
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.64
- First-Gen Students
- 34%
- Applicants
- 19,919
- Admitted
- 16,578
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Eastern Michigan University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Eastern Michigan University is $16,240, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $15,407. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,250 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $16,240
- Out-of-State
- $16,240
- Avg Net Price
- $15,407
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 37%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 43%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $13,250
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $12,863
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $13,748
- Family Income $110K+
- $21,036
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Eastern Michigan University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Eastern Michigan University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $51,793, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $43,148
- 8 Years
- $46,385
- 10 Years
- $51,793
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.48x
- Earning > $25K
- 62%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (514)
- 20%
- 100% (514)
- 20%
- 100% (514)
- 20%
- 100% (514)
- 20%
How Eastern Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Eastern Michigan University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Eastern Michigan University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $15,407/year ($61,628 total). Graduates earn $51,793 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,297,459 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,235,831 (21.1× your investment). The median debt is $25,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 46% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $61,628
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,297,459
- Net Return
- $1,235,831
- ROI Multiple
- 21.1×
- Cost Per Year
- $15,407
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 46%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Eastern Michigan University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Eastern Michigan University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.17%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 6.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 19% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $98,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.17%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 19.0%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 6.1%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $133,691
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
Eastern Michigan University produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 15 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.16%
- Top 83% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 15
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 86
- Downstream influence
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $3,650,014
Top Programs
The fields Eastern Michigan University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 16% $76,041 early-career
- Health Professions 16% $74,154 early-career
- Education 9% $44,638 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 7% $79,729 early-career
- Psychology 6% $31,886 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 5% $36,992 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 5% $41,658 early-career
- Social Sciences 5% $45,751 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Eastern Michigan University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Eastern Michigan University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Eastern Michigan University, located in Ypsilanti, Michigan, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 80%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,066. The graduation rate is roughly 46%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Eastern Michigan University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Eastern Michigan University is $16,240, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $15,407. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,250 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
Is Eastern Michigan University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $51,793, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Eastern Michigan University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Eastern Michigan University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.17%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 6.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 19% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $98,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Eastern Michigan University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Eastern Michigan University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.35, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.10). Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Eastern Michigan University.
- The University of Tennessee-ChattanoogaChattanooga, TN · Close peer52% grad $51,151 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Morgan State UniversityBaltimore, MD · Close peer41% grad $50,698 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Western Carolina UniversityCullowhee, NC · Close peer60% grad $49,458 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo, MI · Close peer58% grad $53,562 earn 85% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Wichita State UniversityWichita, KS · Close peer51% grad $51,532 earn 94% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Nebraska at OmahaOmaha, NE · Close peer47% grad $53,909 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Eastern Michigan University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Eastern Michigan University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.35, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.10). Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note