Head-to-head comparison
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor vs Chamberlain University-Michigan: which has better ROI?
Option A Ann Arbor, MI
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
- Net price / year
- $13,138
- Earnings, 10 years
- $83,648
- Payback
- 1.5 yrs
Option B Troy, MI
Chamberlain University-Michigan
- Net price / year
- $28,045
- Earnings, 10 years
- $92,405
- Payback
- 2.5 yrs
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $52,552 in 1.5 years versus 2.5 years at Chamberlain University-Michigan, on median earnings of $83,648 vs $92,405 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | Chamberlain University-Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,138 | $28,045 |
| Total net cost | $52,552 | $112,180 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $83,648 | $92,405 |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $20,919 |
| Payback | 1.5 yrs | 2.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $653,208 | $768,720 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor or Chamberlain University-Michigan?
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, at $13,138 a year after aid versus $28,045 — a gap of $14,907 a year, or $59,628 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 University of Michigan-Ann Arbor or Chamberlain University-Michigan graduates earn more?
Chamberlain University-Michigan graduates report a median $92,405 ten years after entry, $8,757 more than the $83,648 at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. 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, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor or Chamberlain University-Michigan?
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor: its completers carry a median $19,500 in federal loans versus $20,919 at Chamberlain University-Michigan, a difference of $1,419. 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?
100% of students finish at Chamberlain University-Michigan, against 93% at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. 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.