Why This Matters

  • 44 COLLEGES IN MICHIGAN

    According to College Navigator, Michigan is home to 12 public universities, 27 private non-profit colleges, and five private for-profit institutions.

  • $14,340 AVERAGE IN-STATE TUITION & FEES

    According to College Board, the average undergraduate student in Michigan paid $14,340 in tuition and school fees at public colleges during the 2021-22 school year.

  • $14,800 IN FINANCIAL AID FOR THE AVERAGE U.S. STUDENT

    Full-time undergraduate students received an average of $14,800 in financial aid during the 2020-21 school year.

Our Research

This list features some of the best brick-and-mortar schools in Michigan. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions. We included liberal arts colleges and research universities as well as small, midsize, and large institutions. Next, we compared this comprehensive list to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the U.S. News & World Report among others to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.

The colleges on our list are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a reputable organization that examines the objectives, quality, and overall effectiveness of education programs in the central United States.

We evaluated each school on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation as well as the student resources provided for on-campus students. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.

The Top 50 Colleges in Michigan

Best Colleges In Michigan
01
Intelligent Pick
University of Michigan
01
Best Research Institution
Michigan State University
01
Best Forestry Program
Michigan Technological University
01
Best Christian Institution
University of Detroit Mercy
01
Best Neuroscience Program
Central Michigan University
01
Best for Business
Wayne State University
01
Most Customization
Kalamazoo College
01
Best Aviation Program
Western Michigan University
01
Best Honors Program
Andrews University
01
Best Politics Program
Hillsdale College
01

Hope College
01

Lake Superior State University
01

Calvin College
01

Grand Valley State University
01

Kuyper College
01

Albion College
01

Spring Arbor University
01

Aquinas College
01

Kettering University
01

Northwood University

 

What You Should Know About Graduating From College in Michigan

The job market in your chosen industry should be an important factor when considering where you’d like to go to school. As of October 2021, the top industries in Michigan were trade, transportation, and utilities; goods-producing; professional and business services; education and health services; and government.

For many, the potential for career growth is vital when entering the job market. In Michigan, many of the fastest-growing careers are in the technology industry; however, opportunities abound across several sectors. As of 2022, Michigan’s fastest-growing careers for those with bachelor’s degrees were medical and health services managers, film and video editors, logisticians, data scientists, and agents and talent managers.

There are plenty of industries in Michigan that feature vast opportunities for those with a bachelor’s degree, which is clear to see when reviewing the state’s top employers. This list includes companies such as General Motors, Spectrum Health Hospitals, and Henry Ford Hospital.

What’s Next?

When researching where to go to school in Michigan, you may be considering financial aid. There are plenty of resources available for those who need it, and to help, we’ve put together a list of several federal and state resources that can connect you with grants, scholarships, and other financial aid opportunities if you’re attending school in the state.

  • Michigan Office of Postsecondary Financial Planning. This office administers MI Student Aid, which provides student loans, as well as scholarships and grants for college and university students throughout Michigan.
  • Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This federal program connects students with scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study opportunities across the U.S. Prospective students can find out if they’re eligible by visiting the FAFSA4caster, and an online application form is available on the organization’s website.
  • CareerOneStop. This website is sponsored by the BLS and provides post-secondary students with a comprehensive list of financial aid programs that can be filtered by state and degree level. This list includes useful details such as qualifications, deadlines, and contact information.