University of Michigan-Ann Arbor vs Wayne State University: 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 9.9 years at Wayne State University, on median earnings of $83,648 vs $53,493 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | Wayne State University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,138 | $12,766 |
| Total net cost | $52,552 | $51,064 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $83,648 | $53,493 |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $21,250 |
| Payback | 1.5 yrs | 9.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $653,208 | $51,596 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor or Wayne State University?
Wayne State University, at $12,766 a year after aid versus $13,138 — a gap of $372 a year, or $1,488 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 Wayne State University graduates earn more?
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor graduates report a median $83,648 ten years after entry, $30,155 more than the $53,493 at Wayne State 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, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor or Wayne State University?
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor: its completers carry a median $19,500 in federal loans versus $21,250 at Wayne State University, a difference of $1,750. 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 58% at Wayne State 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.