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University of Michigan-Flint vs Albion College: which has better ROI?

Public, Flint MI · vs · Private nonprofit, Albion MI

The verdict

Albion College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $57,204 in 5.5 years versus 5.8 years at University of Michigan-Flint, on median earnings of $58,799 vs $53,230 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Michigan-FlintAlbion College
Net price / yr$7,007$14,301
Total net cost$28,028$57,204
Median earnings, 10 yrs$53,230$58,799
Median debt$25,000$27,000
Payback5.8 yrs5.5 yrs
20-year net return$69,372$151,576

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

Which is cheaper, University of Michigan-Flint or Albion College?

University of Michigan-Flint, at $7,007 a year after aid versus $14,301 — a gap of $7,294 a year, or $29,176 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-Flint or Albion College graduates earn more?

Albion College graduates report a median $58,799 ten years after entry, $5,569 more than the $53,230 at University of Michigan-Flint. 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-Flint or Albion College?

University of Michigan-Flint: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Albion College, a difference of $2,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

62% of students finish at Albion College, against 40% at University of Michigan-Flint. 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-Flint vs Albion College: frequently asked questions

Is University of Michigan-Flint or Albion College a better value?
Albion College. It clears its $57,204 net cost in about 5.5 years versus 5.8 years at University of Michigan-Flint, on median earnings of $58,799 vs $53,230 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Michigan-Flint or Albion College?
University of Michigan-Flint: $7,007/yr net price after aid versus $14,301/yr at Albion College — a difference of $7,294 a year, or about $29,176 over four years.
Do University of Michigan-Flint or Albion College graduates earn more?
Albion College graduates earn a median $58,799 ten years after entry, versus $53,230 at University of Michigan-Flint — a $5,569 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.