University of Michigan-Flint
University of Michigan-Flint — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Michigan-Flint at a Glance
The University of Michigan–Flint (UM-Flint) is a public university in Flint, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1956 as the Flint Senior College, it was initially established as a remote branch of the University of Michigan, offering upper-division undergraduate courses. The institution developed into a fully-fledged university and received accreditation in 1970. Subsequently, the name was changed to the University of Michigan–Flint. It continues to adhere to the policies of the University of M…
1956
70 years old
$150M
$150 million (2021)
7,124
5,539 undergrad · 1,585 grad
474
Identity
Is University of Michigan-Flint Worth It?
University of Michigan-Flint is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $7,007/year net price and $53,230 median earnings, graduates earn 7.6× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 42% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 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-Flint delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How University of Michigan-Flint compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #6 of 109 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 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #2 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #3 | Bates Technical College | 86 | $6,292 | $50,051 |
| #4 | Purdue University Northwest | 86 | $6,079 | $48,318 |
| #5 | Snow College | 83 | $5,552 | $41,022 |
| #6 | University of Michigan-Flint | 81 | $7,007 | $53,230 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Michigan-Flint's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in MI.
Best Programs at University of Michigan-Flint
The highest-earning program at University of Michigan-Flint is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $64,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $19,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from University of Michigan-Flint earns $64,600, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $19,600. 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: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $29,129 in median debt vs. $22,321 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $7,007/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $64,600 | $64,600 | $29,129 |
| Computer Science | $52,200 | $52,200 | $29,076 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $42,800 | $42,800 | $29,708 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $38,100 | $38,100 | $23,476 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $36,800 | $36,800 | $31,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $36,500 | $36,500 | $30,271 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $33,900 | $33,900 | $27,359 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $32,200 | $32,200 | $35,250 |
| Social Work | $31,200 | $31,200 | $30,588 |
| Marketing | $30,000 | $30,000 | $25,107 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $29,800 | $29,800 | $26,000 |
| Biology, General | $27,700 | $27,700 | $24,291 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $26,500 | $26,500 | $29,646 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | $25,900 | $25,900 | $26,500 |
| Sociology | $22,200 | $22,200 | $28,059 |
| Psychology, General | $19,600 | $19,600 | $22,321 |
Similar Colleges in MI
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Flint, MI
- Student Body
- 4,411 students
- Admission Rate
- 70%
- Graduation Rate
- 42%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $7,007
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $53,230
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000