Head-to-head comparison
University of Michigan-Flint vs Universal Technical Institute-Canton: 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 Canton, MI
Universal Technical Institute-Canton
- Net price / year
- $22,985
- Earnings, 10 years
- $62,575
- Payback
- 6.5 yrs
University of Michigan-Flint has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $28,028 in 5.8 years versus 6.5 years at Universal Technical Institute-Canton, on median earnings of $53,230 vs $62,575 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Michigan-Flint | Universal Technical Institute-Canton |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $7,007 | $22,985 |
| Total net cost | $28,028 | $91,940 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $53,230 | $62,575 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $12,801 |
| Payback | 5.8 yrs | 6.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $69,372 | $192,360 |
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 Universal Technical Institute-Canton?
University of Michigan-Flint, at $7,007 a year after aid versus $22,985 — a gap of $15,978 a year, or $63,912 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 Universal Technical Institute-Canton graduates earn more?
Universal Technical Institute-Canton graduates report a median $62,575 ten years after entry, $9,345 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 Universal Technical Institute-Canton?
Universal Technical Institute-Canton: its completers carry a median $12,801 in federal loans versus $25,000 at University of Michigan-Flint, a difference of $12,199. 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?
64% of students finish at Universal Technical Institute-Canton, 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.