Henry Ford College vs University of Michigan-Dearborn: which has better ROI?
University of Michigan-Dearborn has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $37,968 in 3.4 years versus not at all at Henry Ford College, on median earnings of $59,649 vs $34,795 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Henry Ford College | University of Michigan-Dearborn |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $660 | $9,492 |
| Total net cost | $2,640 | $37,968 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $34,795 | $59,649 |
| Median debt | $14,250 | $22,500 |
| Payback | — | 3.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$273,940 | $187,812 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Henry Ford College or University of Michigan-Dearborn?
Henry Ford College, at $660 a year after aid versus $9,492 — a gap of $8,832 a year, or $35,328 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Henry Ford College or University of Michigan-Dearborn graduates earn more?
University of Michigan-Dearborn graduates report a median $59,649 ten years after entry, $24,854 more than the $34,795 at Henry Ford College. 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, Henry Ford College or University of Michigan-Dearborn?
Henry Ford College: its completers carry a median $14,250 in federal loans versus $22,500 at University of Michigan-Dearborn, a difference of $8,250. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
58% of students finish at University of Michigan-Dearborn, against 17% at Henry Ford College. 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.