Cost & ROI · 2026
Is University of Michigan-Ann Arbor worth it?
Pay $13,138/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $83,648 ten years out — about 6.4× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: A.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor vs Michigan avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical Michigan college and the typical US college.
| Metric | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | Michigan avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▲ $13,138 | $13,966 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▲ $83,648 | $48,889 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | ▲ $19,500 | $19,178 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▲ 93.2% | 47.4% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | ▼ 15.6% | 77.1% | 72.3% |
Hidden cost
What you actually pay, by family income
Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $138,616 over four years. Most students get $21,516/yr in grants and scholarships.
Debt math
Loan repayment scenarios
If you borrow the median $19,500 at a 6.5% federal rate, here's what each repayment plan looks like.
Debt-to-earnings: 23% of one year's median pay. Financial advisors recommend keeping student debt under 100% of expected first-year salary. You're well below that threshold.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median University of Michigan-Ann Arbor grad earns about $1,545,920 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.
The verdict
What the numbers say about University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
The average student at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor pays $13,138 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $34,654 published sticker price. That is below the MI average net price of $13,966.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $83,648 — above the MI median of $48,889. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Typical graduates borrow about $19,500, roughly $212 a month on a standard ten-year plan — a manageable load at about 23% of one year's median earnings.
Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $13,138 per year. That's $21,516/yr in financial aid against the $34,654 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $52,552.
How much do University of Michigan-Ann Arbor graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor graduates earn a median of $83,648 per year — above the national average of $50,834. That's about 6.4× the annual net cost.
How much debt do University of Michigan-Ann Arbor graduates take on?
Median federal loan debt at graduation is $19,500 — about $212/month on a standard 10-year repayment plan (assuming a 6.5% federal rate). 23.7% of students take federal loans.
Is University of Michigan-Ann Arbor worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns University of Michigan-Ann Arbor a value grade of A — top 11% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $13,138/yr, earn $83,648/yr ten years out, ROI score of 15.92. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor?
18.1% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 23.7% take federal student loans. On average, students get $21,516 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor?
In-state tuition is $17,736 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $60,946 per year — a difference of $43,210/yr or $172,840 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $1,043. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $26,517. See the chart below for all five income bands.
How we calculate ROI
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →