Economics at Michigan vs Harvard: Which Degree Is Worth More in 2026?

The Quick Comparison

	University of Michigan-Ann Arbor	Harvard University
Type	Public	Private
Location	Ann Arbor, MI	Cambridge, MA
Median Salary	$0/yr	$0/yr
Annual Net Cost	$14,832/yr	$16,816/yr
4-Year Total Cost	$59,328	$67,264
Completion Rate	93%	97%
Value Score	7/100	8/100

Cost Breakdown

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor costs $14,832 per year after financial aid, totaling approximately $59,328 over four years. Harvard University comes in at $16,816 per year, or $67,264 total.

That's a difference of $7,936 over four years. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is the more affordable option.

Earnings After Graduation

Economics graduates from University of Michigan-Ann Arbor earn a median of $0 per year within one year of graduation. Graduates from Harvard University earn $0.

Both programs produce graduates with similar earnings. Over a 10-year career, that difference compounds significantly.

The Verdict

Based on the Value Score — which factors in cost, earnings, break-even time, and completion rate — Harvard University delivers better overall value for a Economics degree.

However, the "right" choice depends on your specific financial situation, career goals, and personal fit. A school that's cheaper but has lower earnings might still be the better choice if you graduate debt-free, and a more expensive school might be worth it if it opens specific career doors in your field.

Use the links below to see the full scorecard for each program, or use the compare tool to add a third school to the mix.