Head-to-head comparison
Ferris State University vs University of Michigan-Flint: which has better ROI?
Option A Big Rapids, MI
Ferris State University
- Net price / year
- $8,624
- Earnings, 10 years
- $54,735
- Payback
- 5.4 yrs
Option B Flint, MI
University of Michigan-Flint
- Net price / year
- $7,007
- Earnings, 10 years
- $53,230
- Payback
- 5.8 yrs
Ferris State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $34,496 in 5.4 years versus 5.8 years at University of Michigan-Flint, on median earnings of $54,735 vs $53,230 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Ferris State University | University of Michigan-Flint |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $8,624 | $7,007 |
| Total net cost | $34,496 | $28,028 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $54,735 | $53,230 |
| Median debt | $21,000 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 5.4 yrs | 5.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $93,004 | $69,372 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Ferris State University or University of Michigan-Flint?
University of Michigan-Flint, at $7,007 a year after aid versus $8,624 — a gap of $1,617 a year, or $6,468 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Ferris State University or University of Michigan-Flint graduates earn more?
Ferris State University graduates report a median $54,735 ten years after entry, $1,505 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.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Ferris State University or University of Michigan-Flint?
Ferris State University: its completers carry a median $21,000 in federal loans versus $25,000 at University of Michigan-Flint, a difference of $4,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
47% of students finish at Ferris State University, 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.