University of Detroit Mercy — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of Detroit Mercy charges a net price of $15,232/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $60,928. Graduates earn a median $71,030 ten years after entry, $22,670/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 2.7 years — a 20-year net return of $392,472, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University of Detroit Mercy's 2.7-year payback ranks #144 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 89% of them, and #4 of 85 in Michigan.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $15,232/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $60,928 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $71,030 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $22,670/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $23,250 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 2.7 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $392,472 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University of Detroit Mercy's own numbers. Net price $15,232 × 4 years = $60,928 total. Median earnings $71,030 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $22,670 a year of premium. $60,928 ÷ $22,670 = 2.7 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $392,472. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do University of Detroit Mercy students graduate with?
A median $23,250 in federal loans among completers, or 33% of the $71,030 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of University of Detroit Mercy students graduate?
67% finish their degree — 33% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $60,928 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $90,937 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of Detroit Mercy expensive compared with other Michigan colleges?
Its $15,232 net price runs $931 above the $14,301 median across the 85 Michigan colleges we profile, or $3,724 more across the full degree.