Head-to-head comparison
University of Michigan-Flint vs Northwood 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 Midland, MI
Northwood University
- Net price / year
- $27,232
- Earnings, 10 years
- $63,075
- Payback
- 7.4 yrs
University of Michigan-Flint has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $28,028 in 5.8 years versus 7.4 years at Northwood University, on median earnings of $53,230 vs $63,075 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Michigan-Flint | Northwood University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $7,007 | $27,232 |
| Total net cost | $28,028 | $108,928 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $53,230 | $63,075 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $20,842 |
| Payback | 5.8 yrs | 7.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $69,372 | $185,372 |
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 Northwood University?
University of Michigan-Flint, at $7,007 a year after aid versus $27,232 — a gap of $20,225 a year, or $80,900 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 Northwood University graduates earn more?
Northwood University graduates report a median $63,075 ten years after entry, $9,845 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 Northwood University?
Northwood University: its completers carry a median $20,842 in federal loans versus $25,000 at University of Michigan-Flint, a difference of $4,158. 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?
63% of students finish at Northwood 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.