At $16,179/yr net price, University of Detroit Mercy graduates earn $71,030/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $37,030/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $16,179 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $64,716 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $71,030/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$37,030/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 68.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,616/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,414/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,090/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,762/yr |
| $110,001+ | $22,663/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences. | Master | $190,536 | |
| Dentistry. | Doctoral | $121,681 | $366,862 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $104,033 | $71,750 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $97,737 | $105,783 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $81,111 | $39,187 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $60,897 | $25,000 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $59,124 | |
| Public Health. | Master | $54,644 | |
| Law. | Doctoral | $53,202 | $122,626 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology. | Bachelor | $48,432 |
The Risk Factor
68.1% of students at University of Detroit Mercy graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 32% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
University of Detroit Mercy gives you a solid financial return for a private nonprofit. Median earnings ten years out beat median debt by more than three to one, and a 68% grad rate with 82% first-year retention means most people who start here finish and pay down what they borrowed.
The payoff depends heavily on your major. Nursing is the clear winner: it pairs Detroit Mercy's highest starting earnings with a hospital job market across metro Detroit that hires nursing grads consistently. Biochemistry and biology start lower, and those early salaries usually assume you continue to medical, dental, or graduate school. If you stop at the bachelor's, biology's low-$40s start does not cover the borrowing well. Dental support and business land in the mid-$40s with debt near $22,000, a reasonable but not standout return.
The main risk here is the cost creep as income rises. Net price barely moves between the two lowest income brackets, but it climbs steadily above that. If your family earns over $110k, you pay nearly double what the lowest bracket pays, and at that price the science majors that lead to graduate school stop looking cheap once you add years of further tuition.
This school fits you if you are heading into nursing or a health field with a direct job at the end. Lower-income families get the strongest deal, paying around $12,000 to $13,000 a year. If you plan to major in general biology and stop at the bachelor's, or your family is paying the top net price with no health-career plan, look at cheaper public options in Michigan first. The degree that pays off here is specific, and choosing the wrong major undercuts the whole return.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Detroit Mercy worth the cost?
University of Detroit Mercy can be worth it if you're pursuing dentistry or nursing, which offer strong earning potential. For most other programs, the $71,030 median earnings after 10 years barely justify the investment compared to cheaper alternatives.
What programs at University of Detroit Mercy have the best ROI?
Dentistry programs lead with graduates earning over $190,000, followed by nursing at $104,000. Business and other programs show weaker returns with earnings around $81,000 or less.
How much debt do University of Detroit Mercy graduates typically have?
Graduates leave with a median debt of $23,250, which is manageable for dental and nursing graduates but could strain those in lower-paying fields. The relatively low net price of $16,179 helps keep debt reasonable.
Does University of Detroit Mercy have good job outcomes?
The 68% graduation rate is concerning and below national averages. While dental and nursing programs place well, the high acceptance rate of 90% and low SAT scores suggest academic standards may not prepare all students for competitive job markets.