Best Colleges in Michigan

Considering colleges and universities in Michigan? Learn more about the best colleges in Michigan and why it’s a great state for college.
Genevieve Carlton, Ph.D.
By
Edited by
Updated September 7, 2023
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From Detroit to the Upper Peninsula, Michigan is a great place for college. Whether you want to become a healthcare worker, study the arts and sciences, or become a teacher, Michigan’s many colleges can help you reach your goals.

But what are the best colleges in Michigan? And why do so many students choose the Great Lakes State for college? We’ve got the rankings and resources to help you learn more about colleges and universities in Michigan.

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10 Best Colleges in Michigan

Ready to learn more about the top-ranking colleges and universities in Michigan? Check out these schools to discover the Michigan college that’s the best match for you.

#1

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI4 yearCampus + Online

$16,520

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$53,669

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

26%

Acceptance Rate

91%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$24,344

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$49,120

Retention Rate

96%

Students Enrolled

47,907

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$16,520

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$53,669

Ann Arbor, MI4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$16,520

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$53,669

Acceptance Rate

26%

Online Enrollment

91%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$24,344

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$49,120

Retention Rate

96%

Students Enrolled

47,907

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#2

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI4 yearCampus + Online

$15,555

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$40,384

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

76%

Acceptance Rate

92%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$18,858

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$37,056

Retention Rate

91%

Students Enrolled

49,695

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$15,555

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$40,384

East Lansing, MI4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$15,555

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$40,384

Acceptance Rate

76%

Online Enrollment

92%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$18,858

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$37,056

Retention Rate

91%

Students Enrolled

49,695

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#3

Michigan Technological University

Houghton, MI4 yearCampus + Online

$17,339

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$38,082

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

70%

Acceptance Rate

49%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$21,744

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$21,744

Retention Rate

86%

Students Enrolled

6,873

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$17,339

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$38,082

Houghton, MI4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$17,339

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$38,082

Acceptance Rate

70%

Online Enrollment

49%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$21,744

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$21,744

Retention Rate

86%

Students Enrolled

6,873

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#4

Wayne State University

Detroit, MI4 yearCampus + Online

$13,024

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$29,894

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

69%

Acceptance Rate

92%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$16,285

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$35,274

Retention Rate

82%

Students Enrolled

26,241

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$13,024

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$29,894

Detroit, MI4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$13,024

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$29,894

Acceptance Rate

69%

Online Enrollment

92%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$16,285

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$35,274

Retention Rate

82%

Students Enrolled

26,241

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#5

University of Detroit Mercy

Detroit, MI4 yearCampus + Online

$29,562

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$29,562

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

79%

Acceptance Rate

84%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$20,047

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$20,047

Retention Rate

86%

Students Enrolled

4,987

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$29,562

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$29,562

Detroit, MI4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$29,562

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$29,562

Acceptance Rate

79%

Online Enrollment

84%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$20,047

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$20,047

Retention Rate

86%

Students Enrolled

4,987

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

#6

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, MI4 yearCampus + Online

$13,576

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$19,168

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

88%

Acceptance Rate

92%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$17,448

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,448

Retention Rate

83%

Students Enrolled

23,350

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$13,576

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,168

Allendale, MI4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$13,576

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,168

Acceptance Rate

88%

Online Enrollment

92%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$17,448

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,448

Retention Rate

83%

Students Enrolled

23,350

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#7

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, MI4 yearCampus + Online

$14,520

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$24,735

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

81%

Acceptance Rate

96%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$18,546

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$24,648

Retention Rate

79%

Students Enrolled

18,552

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$14,520

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$24,735

Rochester Hills, MI4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$14,520

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$24,735

Acceptance Rate

81%

Online Enrollment

96%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$18,546

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$24,648

Retention Rate

79%

Students Enrolled

18,552

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#8

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, MI4 yearCampus + Online

$12,296

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$22,881

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

69%

Acceptance Rate

42%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$14,223

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,909

Retention Rate

80%

Students Enrolled

17,311

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$12,296

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$22,881

Mount Pleasant, MI4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$12,296

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$22,881

Acceptance Rate

69%

Online Enrollment

42%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$14,223

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,909

Retention Rate

80%

Students Enrolled

17,311

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#9

Andrews University

Berrien Springs, MI4 yearCampus + Online

$29,808

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$29,808

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

49%

Acceptance Rate

28%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$27,936

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,936

Retention Rate

85%

Students Enrolled

3,162

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$29,808

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$29,808

Berrien Springs, MI4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$29,808

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$29,808

Acceptance Rate

49%

Online Enrollment

28%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$27,936

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,936

Retention Rate

85%

Students Enrolled

3,162

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

#10

Calvin University

Grand Rapids, MI4 yearCampus

$37,600

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$37,600

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

73%

Acceptance Rate

31%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$29,180

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$29,180

Retention Rate

87%

Students Enrolled

3,307

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$37,600

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$37,600

Grand Rapids, MI4 yearCampus

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$37,600

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$37,600

Acceptance Rate

73%

Online Enrollment

31%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$29,180

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$29,180

Retention Rate

87%

Students Enrolled

3,307

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

List of All Colleges in Michigan

We’ve created a complete list of all four-year nonprofit universities in Michigan. You can use the table below to compare data on student population, average net cost, acceptance rate, and number of applicants.

The following school data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Note that schools that do not admit full-time first-time degree-seeking students or had an undergraduate student enrollment of fewer than 500 were not considered for this list.

All 40 Colleges in Michigan
SchoolTotal Student EnrollmentAvg. Annual Net PriceAcceptance RateNumber of Applicants
Adrian College1,871$24,87069%3,329
Albion College1,523$19,35167%6,827
Alma College1,353$23,99565%3,372
Andrews University2,927$24,19491%1,226
Aquinas College1,362$18,60591%2,116
Baker College4,969$13,71937%2,082
Calvin University3,257$25,77574%4,079
Central Michigan University15,424$15,60579%19,888
Cleary University751$27,20968%810
College for Creative Studies1,620$34,90649%1,622
Concordia University Ann Arbor1,135$26,35370%1,962
Cornerstone University1,930$20,93582%1,926
Davenport University5,384$18,35099%3,379
Eastern Michigan University15,340$15,82683%19,919
Ferris State University10,361$13,97888%12,228
Grace Christian University1,104$12,988100%293
Grand Valley State University22,406$17,10590%17,123
Hillsdale College1,602$24,19621%3,017
Hope College3,132$25,80080%5,152
Kalamazoo College1,241$26,98179%3,702
Kettering University1,858$34,48681%1,823
Lake Superior State University1,812$14,33677%2,408
Lawrence Technological University2,955$32,64182%2,537
Madonna University2,444$18,34465%1,988
Michigan State University49,659$22,80388%53,341
Michigan Technological University7,008$18,23594%7,893
Northern Michigan University7,214$17,34671%6,217
Northwood University2,422$24,61680%1,368
Oakland University17,170$15,16190%11,110
Olivet College885$21,39485%1,439
Rochester University1,114$18,66571%929
Saginaw Valley State University7,523$12,43276%9,330
Siena Heights University1,966$20,07465%1,545
Spring Arbor University2,685$22,37547%2,312
University of Detroit Mercy5,227$18,19791%5,163
University of Michigan50,278$19,31818%84,289
University of Michigan Dearborn8,331$12,44454%12,026
University of Michigan Flint6,418$10,84066%6,140
Wayne State University24,919$15,34775%14,002
Western Michigan University18,266$20,03085%20,501
Source: NCES

What Is the Cost of College in Michigan?

Attending college in Michigan doesn’t have to break the bank. Michigan’s top-ranked public universities are an affordable choice for state residents.

And if you’re looking for an even more affordable option, consider attending a Michigan community college before transferring to a four-year institution. With that route, you can save around $10,000 per year in tuition and fees.

Looking for an affordable but flexible option? Consider online colleges in Michigan. And if you’re attending a private college, make sure to ask about institutional financial aid.

Cost of College in Michigan 2022
Institution TypeAverage Tuition & Required Fees
Public 4-Year (in-state)$14,116
Public 4-Year (out-of-state)$40,004
Private 4-Year$32,292
Public 2-Year (in-state)$3,871
Public 2-Year (out-of-state)$7,803
Source: NCES

Why Study in Michigan? 5 Benefits

More than 345,000 college students enroll in Michigan’s colleges and universities. Why do they study in Michigan? Here are a few of the many reasons.

1. Location

The Great Lakes State is the perfect spot if you’re into the outdoors. With scenic coastlines, the snowy Upper Peninsula, and miles of woods, Michigan’s nature has a lot to offer. Plus, the state has many picturesque college towns. You’re also not far from the sites and major cities of nearby states.

2. Large Selection of Colleges and Universities

There’s a lot of great colleges and universities in Michigan. Our list includes 40 four-year institutions. That means you’ve got a lot to choose from. Plus, the state has two outstanding public colleges in U-M and MSU. Choose your side in the rivalry between the Wolverines and Spartans by enrolling at one of these top-ranked schools.

3. Lower Cost of Living

Did you know that Michigan is the fourth most affordable state in the country? It’s also the cheapest state in the Midwest. That means your dollar goes further in Michigan. And with affordable tuition rates for in-state students, the state’s public universities can also help you save money.

4. High Student Population

Michigan is home to 345,000 college students. That means you’ll run into a lot of fellow students across the state. And if you’re at U-M, you’ll get to take advantage of one of the best college towns in America. In Ann Arbor, 1 in 2 residents is a college student.

5. Top-Ranked Athletic Programs

Michigan colleges are home to some of the best sports programs in the country. Whether you’re a fan of football, basketball, or another sport, you can find a college in Michigan that stands out. And most colleges also offer intramural athletic programs if you’re not quite varsity level.

Frequently Asked Questions About Colleges in Michigan

How many colleges are in Michigan?

Michigan is home to 40 four-year nonprofit colleges and universities. These include institutions with international reputations, like the University of Michigan.

In addition to the state’s many public and private four-year institutions, Michigan also has 31 public community colleges. You can save around $10,000 per year in tuition and fees by attending a community college before transferring to a four-year public college.

Is the University of Michigan a good school?

Yes, the University of Michigan is considered one of the top-ranked public universities in the country. U-M is the flagship public institution in the state. It enrolls over 50,000 students and receives more than 84,000 applications from hopeful students every year.

The public institution also reports the most selective admissions of any school in the state, accepting just 18% of applicants in fall 2022, according to NCES.

Is Michigan State a good school?

Yes, Michigan State is a strong public university. It enrolls nearly 50,000 students and receives more than 53,000 applications annually.

Michigan State is less selective in its admissions process than the University of Michigan. While U-M admitted just 18% of applicants in fall 2022, Michigan State admitted 88%. That means applicants have a good chance of getting into the school.

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