Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor vs Chamberlain University-Michigan: which has better ROI?

Public, Ann Arbor MI · vs · Private for-profit, Troy MI

The verdict

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $52,552 in 1.5 years versus 2.5 years at Chamberlain University-Michigan, on median earnings of $83,648 vs $92,405 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Michigan-Ann ArborChamberlain University-Michigan
Net price / yr$13,138$28,045
Total net cost$52,552$112,180
Median earnings, 10 yrs$83,648$92,405
Median debt$19,500$20,919
Payback1.5 yrs2.5 yrs
20-year net return$653,208$768,720

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor or Chamberlain University-Michigan?

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, at $13,138 a year after aid versus $28,045 — a gap of $14,907 a year, or $59,628 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do University of Michigan-Ann Arbor or Chamberlain University-Michigan graduates earn more?

Chamberlain University-Michigan graduates report a median $92,405 ten years after entry, $8,757 more than the $83,648 at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. 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, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor or Chamberlain University-Michigan?

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor: its completers carry a median $19,500 in federal loans versus $20,919 at Chamberlain University-Michigan, a difference of $1,419. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

100% of students finish at Chamberlain University-Michigan, against 93% at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. 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.

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor vs Chamberlain University-Michigan: frequently asked questions

Is University of Michigan-Ann Arbor or Chamberlain University-Michigan a better value?
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. It clears its $52,552 net cost in about 1.5 years versus 2.5 years at Chamberlain University-Michigan, on median earnings of $83,648 vs $92,405 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor or Chamberlain University-Michigan?
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor: $13,138/yr net price after aid versus $28,045/yr at Chamberlain University-Michigan — a difference of $14,907 a year, or about $59,628 over four years.
Do University of Michigan-Ann Arbor or Chamberlain University-Michigan graduates earn more?
Chamberlain University-Michigan graduates earn a median $92,405 ten years after entry, versus $83,648 at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor — a $8,757 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.