University of Michigan-Dearborn vs Kalamazoo College: 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 4.4 years at Kalamazoo College, on median earnings of $59,649 vs $65,590 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Michigan-Dearborn | Kalamazoo College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $9,492 | $19,072 |
| Total net cost | $37,968 | $76,288 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $59,649 | $65,590 |
| Median debt | $22,500 | $26,077 |
| Payback | 3.4 yrs | 4.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $187,812 | $268,312 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Michigan-Dearborn or Kalamazoo College?
University of Michigan-Dearborn, at $9,492 a year after aid versus $19,072 — a gap of $9,580 a year, or $38,320 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-Dearborn or Kalamazoo College graduates earn more?
Kalamazoo College graduates report a median $65,590 ten years after entry, $5,941 more than the $59,649 at University of Michigan-Dearborn. 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-Dearborn or Kalamazoo College?
University of Michigan-Dearborn: its completers carry a median $22,500 in federal loans versus $26,077 at Kalamazoo College, a difference of $3,577. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
76% of students finish at Kalamazoo College, against 58% at University of Michigan-Dearborn. 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.