Ann Arbor, MI · Private University
Is University of Michigan Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$83,648
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$17,228
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$58,072
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$232,288
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.44x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.8 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
93.2%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$19,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$14,832
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor graduates earn $38,648 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ranked by graduate earnings
811 graduates
580 graduates
87 graduates
129 graduates
49 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer and Information Sciences, General: $135,625) and the lowest (Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft: $23,350) is $112,275/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralBest ROI | $135,625 | 2.3x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $116,095 | 2.0x |
| Computer Engineering | $107,608 | 1.9x |
| Information Science/Studies | $99,659 | 1.7x |
| Statistics | $98,758 | 1.7x |
| Computer Software and Media Applications(1yr data) | $98,117 | 1.7x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $97,459 | 1.7x |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering | $97,263 | 1.7x |
| Mathematics | $97,139 | 1.7x |
| Industrial Engineering | $94,917 | 1.6x |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $92,289 | 1.6x |
| Chemical Engineering | $92,027 | 1.6x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $91,187 | 1.6x |
| Economics | $87,800 | 1.5x |
| Civil Engineering | $85,123 | 1.5x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $84,867 | 1.5x |
| Materials Engineering | $84,790 | 1.5x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $84,138 | 1.4x |
| Public Policy Analysis | $76,823 | 1.3x |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | $73,669 | 1.3x |
| Physics | $73,202 | 1.3x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $72,474 | 1.3x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $68,944 | 1.2x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $66,507 | 1.1x |
| Political Science and Government | $65,311 | 1.1x |
| Philosophy | $63,360 | 1.1x |
| International/Global Studies | $62,313 | 1.1x |
| Architecture | $60,947 | 1.1x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $58,154 | 1.0x |
| Area Studies | $56,039 | 1.0x |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $54,275 | 0.9x |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | $54,072 | 0.9x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $54,057 | 0.9x |
| History | $53,492 | 0.9x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $52,391 | 0.9x |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $52,374 | 0.9x |
| Sociology | $52,288 | 0.9x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $52,263 | 0.9x |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $51,924 | 0.9x |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | $51,853 | 0.9x |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $50,285 | 0.9x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $49,529 | 0.8x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $48,367 | 0.8x |
| Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $47,834 | 0.8x |
| Biology, General | $47,288 | 0.8x |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $46,789 | 0.8x |
| Anthropology | $46,678 | 0.8x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $45,900 | 0.8x |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $45,213 | 0.8x |
| Cognitive Science(1yr data) | $44,698 | 0.8x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $40,555 | 0.7x |
| Public Health(1yr data) | $36,181 | 0.6x |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology(1yr data) | $32,022 | 0.6x |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | $31,865 | 0.6x |
| Music | $23,824 | 0.4x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftLowest | $23,350 | 0.4x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | 1.44x | $83,648 | Average ROI |
| University of Virginia-Main Campus | 1.50x | $86,863 | Average ROI |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | 1.84x | $72,200 | Good ROI |
| Binghamton University | 2.74x | $80,596 | Strong ROI |
| William & Mary | 1.49x | $73,490 | Average ROI |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | 1.82x | $73,792 | Good ROI |
The Bottom Line
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $83,648 10 years after starting — $38,648 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.8 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.