Eastern Michigan University vs Adrian College: which has better ROI?
Adrian College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $101,472 in 14.2 years versus 18 years at Eastern Michigan University, on median earnings of $55,504 vs $51,793 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Eastern Michigan University | Adrian College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,407 | $25,368 |
| Total net cost | $61,628 | $101,472 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $51,793 | $55,504 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 18 yrs | 14.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $7,032 | $41,408 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Eastern Michigan University or Adrian College?
Eastern Michigan University, at $15,407 a year after aid versus $25,368 — a gap of $9,961 a year, or $39,844 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Eastern Michigan University or Adrian College graduates earn more?
Adrian College graduates report a median $55,504 ten years after entry, $3,711 more than the $51,793 at Eastern Michigan University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Eastern Michigan University or Adrian College?
Eastern Michigan University: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Adrian College, a difference of $2,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
48% of students finish at Adrian College, against 46% at Eastern Michigan University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.