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Head-to-head comparison

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor vs Oakland University: which has better ROI?

Public, Ann Arbor MI · vs · Public, Rochester Hills MI

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

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 Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University

Net price / year
$9,120
Earnings, 10 years
$58,612
Payback
3.6 yrs
The verdict

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $52,552 in 1.5 years versus 3.6 years at Oakland University, on median earnings of $83,648 vs $58,612 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Michigan-Ann ArborOakland University
Net price / yr$13,138$9,120
Total net cost$52,552$36,480
Median earnings, 10 yrs$83,648$58,612
Median debt$19,500$22,750
Payback1.5 yrs3.6 yrs
20-year net return$653,208$168,560

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 Oakland University?

Oakland University, at $9,120 a year after aid versus $13,138 — a gap of $4,018 a year, or $16,072 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 Oakland University graduates earn more?

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor graduates report a median $83,648 ten years after entry, $25,036 more than the $58,612 at Oakland University. 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 Oakland University?

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor: its completers carry a median $19,500 in federal loans versus $22,750 at Oakland University, a difference of $3,250. 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?

93% of students finish at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, against 58% at Oakland University. 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-Ann Arbor vs Oakland University: frequently asked questions

Is University of Michigan-Ann Arbor or Oakland University a better value?
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. It clears its $52,552 net cost in about 1.5 years versus 3.6 years at Oakland University, on median earnings of $83,648 vs $58,612 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor or Oakland University?
Oakland University: $9,120/yr net price after aid versus $13,138/yr at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor — a difference of $4,018 a year, or about $16,072 over four years.
Do University of Michigan-Ann Arbor or Oakland University graduates earn more?
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor graduates earn a median $83,648 ten years after entry, versus $58,612 at Oakland University — a $25,036 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.