University of Michigan-Ann Arbor vs University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are closely matched on financial return. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor scores 95/100 while University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill scores 94/100 - a gap small enough that individual circumstances (major choice, financial aid package, in-state vs out-of-state status) will likely matter more than the overall score difference.
On cost, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill comes in at $11,655 per year (net price after aid) versus $13,138 at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor - a difference of $1,483 annually, or roughly $5,932 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor graduates earn a median of $83,648 compared to $72,200 at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The payback period is 4 years at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor versus 5 years at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Graduates leave University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a median $14,000 in debt versus $19,500 at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.35 and 0.28 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Michigan-An... | University of North Carol... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $17,736 | $8,994 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $60,946 | $41,203 |
| Net Price (avg) | $13,138 | $11,655 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $52,552 | $46,620 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $55,900 | $49,900 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $83,648 | $72,200 |
| Graduation Rate | 93.2% | 91.2% |
| Payback Period | 4 yr | 5 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $19,500 | $14,000 |
| Monthly Payment | $207 | $148 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.35 | 0.28 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 82.7% | 85.4% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 80.3% | 85.3% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 15.6% | 15.3% |
| Enrollment | 34,177 | 20,752 |
| SAT Range | 1360-1530 | 1390-1530 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Michig... | University of North ... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $1,043 | $2,004 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $1,878 | $3,918 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $4,895 | $8,538 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $10,869 | $16,415 |
| $110,001+ | $26,517 | $24,396 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Michig... | University of North ... |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $144,654 | $135,874 |
| Information Science | $130,798 | $100,940 |
| Economics | $110,552 | $103,846 |
| Mathematics | $109,146 | $101,599 |
| Physics | $92,293 | $103,477 |
| Biomedical Engineering | $102,342 | $97,992 |
| Human Resources Management | $99,594 | $76,811 |
| Registered Nursing | $82,265 | $78,585 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $79,648 | $70,240 |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $79,411 | $63,286 |
| International Relations | $77,480 | $72,001 |
| Public Policy Analysis | $73,749 | $74,403 |
| Dental Support Services | $59,402 | $72,567 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $67,859 | $72,422 |
| Philosophy | $67,293 | $70,709 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Michig... | University of North ... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 98 | 96 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 98 | 93 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 91 | 95 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 98 | 97 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 78 | 87 |
| Overall ROI Score | 95 | 94 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor edges out University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill by 1 points (95 vs 94), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.
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University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Exceptional Value - Full profile and breakdown
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Exceptional Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.