University of Michigan-Ann Arbor — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor charges a net price of $13,138/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $52,552. Graduates earn a median $83,648 ten years after entry, $35,288/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 1.5 years — a 20-year net return of $653,208, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor's 1.5-year payback ranks #36 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 97% of them, and #1 of 85 in Michigan.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $13,138/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $52,552 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $83,648 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $35,288/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $19,500 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 1.5 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $653,208 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University of Michigan-Ann Arbor's own numbers. Net price $13,138 × 4 years = $52,552 total. Median earnings $83,648 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $35,288 a year of premium. $52,552 ÷ $35,288 = 1.5 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $653,208. 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 Michigan-Ann Arbor students graduate with?
A median $19,500 in federal loans among completers, or 23% of the $83,648 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of University of Michigan-Ann Arbor students graduate?
93% finish their degree. Spread the $52,552 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $56,508 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of Michigan-Ann Arbor expensive compared with other Michigan colleges?
Its $13,138 net price runs $1,163 below the $14,301 median across the 85 Michigan colleges we profile, and $4,652 less across the full degree.