Ohio State University-Main Campus vs University of Michigan-Ann Arbor: which has better ROI?
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $52,552 in 1.5 years versus 5.8 years at Ohio State University-Main Campus, on median earnings of $83,648 vs $60,409 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Ohio State University-Main Campus | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,339 | $13,138 |
| Total net cost | $69,356 | $52,552 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $60,409 | $83,648 |
| Median debt | $19,976 | $19,500 |
| Payback | 5.8 yrs | 1.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $171,624 | $653,208 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Ohio State University-Main Campus or University of Michigan-Ann Arbor?
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, at $13,138 a year after aid versus $17,339 — a gap of $4,201 a year, or $16,804 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Ohio State University-Main Campus or University of Michigan-Ann Arbor graduates earn more?
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor graduates report a median $83,648 ten years after entry, $23,239 more than the $60,409 at Ohio State University-Main Campus. 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, Ohio State University-Main Campus or University of Michigan-Ann Arbor?
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor: its completers carry a median $19,500 in federal loans versus $19,976 at Ohio State University-Main Campus, a difference of $476. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
93% of students finish at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, against 88% at Ohio State University-Main Campus. 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.