University of Michigan-Dearborn
University of Michigan-Dearborn — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Michigan-Dearborn at a Glance
The University of Michigan–Dearborn (UM-Dearborn) is a public university in Dearborn, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1959 with a gift from the Ford Motor Company, it was initially known as the Dearborn Center, operating as a remote branch of the University of Michigan. Upon receiving its own accreditation in 1970, the branch became a fully-fledged university and subsequently changed its name to the University of Michigan–Dearborn. It continues to adhere to the policies of the University of …
1959
67 years old
$86M
$85.8 million (2023)
8,224
6,117 undergrad · 1,982 grad
511
Identity
Is University of Michigan-Dearborn Worth It?
University of Michigan-Dearborn is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $9,492/year net price and $59,649 median earnings, graduates earn 6.3× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 57% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: University of Michigan-Dearborn delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How University of Michigan-Dearborn compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #3 of 47 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #2 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #3 | University of Michigan-Dearborn | 90 | $9,492 | $59,649 |
| #4 | University of West Florida | 79 | $9,364 | $49,137 |
| #5 | Lake Washington Institute of Technology | 71 | $6,817 | $50,669 |
| #6 | Fashion Institute of Technology | 67 | $19,095 | $62,696 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Michigan-Dearborn's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at University of Michigan-Dearborn
The highest-earning program at University of Michigan-Dearborn is Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at $77,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Biology, General at $22,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduate from University of Michigan-Dearborn earns $77,300, while a Biology, General graduate earns $22,200. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduates carry $21,250 in median debt vs. $24,170 for Biology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $9,492/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $77,300 | $77,300 | $21,250 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $76,800 | $76,800 | $25,000 |
| Computer Programming | $75,800 | $75,800 | $24,675 |
| Computer Engineering | $72,500 | $72,500 | $27,192 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $64,500 | $64,500 | $30,500 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $58,200 | $58,200 | $30,370 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $52,100 | $52,100 | $24,050 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $49,500 | $49,500 | $24,436 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $48,500 | $48,500 | $25,792 |
| Marketing | $48,000 | $48,000 | $26,750 |
| Economics | $43,200 | $43,200 | $22,227 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $33,300 | $33,300 | $27,385 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $32,900 | $32,900 | N/A |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $32,700 | $32,700 | $17,601 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $31,500 | $31,500 | $28,568 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $31,500 | $31,500 | $26,655 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $31,000 | $31,000 | $28,821 |
| Political Science and Government | $30,900 | $30,900 | $20,500 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $30,600 | $30,600 | $28,250 |
| Psychology, General | $28,800 | $28,800 | $27,500 |
| Social Sciences, General | $28,300 | $28,300 | $30,869 |
| Biology, General | $22,200 | $22,200 | $24,170 |
Similar Colleges in MI
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Dearborn, MI
- Student Body
- 5,952 students
- Admission Rate
- 56%
- Graduation Rate
- 57%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $9,492
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $59,649
- Median Student Debt
- $22,500