Head-to-head comparison
University of Michigan-Flint vs Madonna University: which has better ROI?
Option A Flint, MI
University of Michigan-Flint
- Net price / year
- $7,007
- Earnings, 10 years
- $53,230
- Payback
- 5.8 yrs
Option B Livonia, MI
Madonna University
- Net price / year
- $17,755
- Earnings, 10 years
- $59,058
- Payback
- 6.6 yrs
University of Michigan-Flint has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $28,028 in 5.8 years versus 6.6 years at Madonna University, on median earnings of $53,230 vs $59,058 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Michigan-Flint | Madonna University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $7,007 | $17,755 |
| Total net cost | $28,028 | $71,020 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $53,230 | $59,058 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $23,000 |
| Payback | 5.8 yrs | 6.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $69,372 | $142,940 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Michigan-Flint or Madonna University?
University of Michigan-Flint, at $7,007 a year after aid versus $17,755 — a gap of $10,748 a year, or $42,992 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-Flint or Madonna University graduates earn more?
Madonna University graduates report a median $59,058 ten years after entry, $5,828 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, University of Michigan-Flint or Madonna University?
Madonna University: its completers carry a median $23,000 in federal loans versus $25,000 at University of Michigan-Flint, a difference of $2,000. 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?
60% of students finish at Madonna 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.