College research / Rankings

Best Business Colleges in Michigan (2026)

Updated

This page ranks the 35 colleges in Michigan that report earnings for their Business graduates, ordered by median earnings of Business graduates four years after completing. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor leads the list at $141,177, followed by Michigan State University at $91,578 and University of Detroit Mercy at $89,540.

Across the 28 schools with a reported completion median, median earnings range from $141,177 to $54,713, with a median of $70,020.

The list includes 15 public and 20 private nonprofit institutions. University of Michigan-Flint posts the lowest average net price at $7,007.

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ranks 16th on Azimuth's composite ranking among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally, and its six-year completion rate of 93% is the highest on the page.

The ranked list

35 schools in list order
RankSchoolMedian Business EarningsAverage net priceNet price, families under $30KAdmission rate
1University of Michigan-Ann Arbor · Ann Arbor, MI$141,177$13,138$1,04315.6%
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor reports $141,177 in median earnings of Business graduates four years after completing and ranks 16th on Azimuth's composite ranking among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (598 graduates), Human Resources Management and Services (50 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations ($144,654), Human Resources Management and Services ($99,594)

2Michigan State University · East Lansing, MI$91,578$19,680$7,06884.8%
With a six-year completion rate of 81%, Michigan State University posts $91,578 in median earnings for its Business graduates four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (425 graduates), Finance and Financial Management Services (361 graduates), Marketing (185 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Finance and Financial Management Services ($102,017), Accounting and Related Services ($96,093), Business Administration, Management and Operations ($91,187)

3University of Detroit Mercy · Detroit, MI$89,540$15,232$13,08875.4%
University of Detroit Mercy, a private nonprofit university in Detroit, shows an average net price of $15,232 alongside median earnings of $89,540 four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (50 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (10 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations ($89,540)

4Albion College · Albion, MI$80,823$14,301$10,03680.7%
Albion College admits 81% of applicants and its Business graduates earn a median of $80,823 four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Finance and Financial Management Services (22 graduates), Business/Commerce, General (13 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (9 graduates)

5Cleary University · Howell, MI$79,601$22,143$18,04667.5%
Cleary University ranks 5th on this list, with an average net price of $18,046 for families earning under $30,000.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (74 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (8 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations ($81,341)

6University of Michigan-Dearborn · Dearborn, MI$78,981$9,492$7,21155.6%
University of Michigan-Dearborn ranks 88th on Azimuth's composite ranking among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally and reports an average net price of $9,492.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Finance and Financial Management Services (66 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (65 graduates), Management Information Systems and Services (54 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Management Information Systems and Services ($95,864), Finance and Financial Management Services ($85,068), Accounting and Related Services ($78,969)

7Oakland University · Rochester Hills, MI$76,088$9,120$4,42287.8%
Oakland University graduates earn a median of $76,088 four years after completing, and the school admits 88% of applicants.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Human Resources Management and Services (183 graduates), Finance and Financial Management Services (111 graduates), Marketing (76 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Management Information Systems and Services ($88,497), Business Administration, Management and Operations ($84,052), Accounting and Related Services ($82,699)

8Kalamazoo College · Kalamazoo, MI$75,260$19,072$12,01975.3%
Kalamazoo College posts a six-year completion rate of 76% and median earnings of $75,260 for its Business graduates four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business/Commerce, General (44 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Business/Commerce, General ($75,260)

9Calvin University · Grand Rapids, MI$74,587$22,992$19,28170.9%
Calvin University reports an average net price of $19,281 for families earning under $30,000 and median earnings of $74,587 four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Marketing (38 graduates), Finance and Financial Management Services (24 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (23 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Accounting and Related Services ($75,085), Business Administration, Management and Operations ($73,155)

10Central Michigan University · Mount Pleasant, MI$73,900$17,597$12,18589.8%
Central Michigan University ranks 10th on this list, with a six-year completion rate of 59% and an average net price of $17,597.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (231 graduates), Marketing (132 graduates), Finance and Financial Management Services (77 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Management Information Systems and Services ($95,721), Accounting and Related Services ($80,551), Finance and Financial Management Services ($79,906)

11Wayne State University · Detroit, MI$72,566$12,766$11,09081.2%
Wayne State University admits 81% of applicants and its Business graduates earn a median of $72,566 four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: International Business (212 graduates), Marketing (209 graduates), Human Resources Management and Services (186 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Management Information Systems and Services ($80,630), International Business ($79,882), Finance and Financial Management Services ($74,703)

12Walsh College · Troy, MI$72,358Not reportedNot reportedNot reported
Walsh College reports median earnings of $72,358 for its Business graduates four years after completing and ranks 636th on Azimuth's composite ranking among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Accounting and Related Services (59 graduates), Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (51 graduates), Business/Commerce, General (48 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Accounting and Related Services ($78,902), Finance and Financial Management Services ($76,597), Business/Commerce, General ($70,449)

13Grand Valley State University · Allendale, MI$71,957$16,317$12,27283.0%
Grand Valley State University reports median earnings of $71,957 for its Business graduates four years after completing, and its average net price is $16,317.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Marketing (325 graduates), Finance and Financial Management Services (260 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (179 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: International Business ($80,324), Accounting and Related Services ($80,153), Business Administration, Management and Operations ($79,324)

14Western Michigan University · Kalamazoo, MI$70,936$15,273$5,26384.6%
Western Michigan University posts an average net price of $5,263 for families earning under $30,000 and graduates 58% of its students within six years.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Marketing (277 graduates), Business Administration, Management and Operations (239 graduates), Finance and Financial Management Services (194 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations ($75,143), Finance and Financial Management Services ($72,353), Human Resources Management and Services ($71,870)

15Adrian College · Adrian, MI$70,633$25,368$19,54272.5%
Adrian College, a private nonprofit university in Adrian, admits 73% of applicants and its Business graduates earn a median of $70,633 four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (27 graduates), Marketing (24 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (17 graduates)

16Davenport University · Grand Rapids, MI$69,407$17,707$16,70097.8%
Davenport University ranks 768th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports a Business earnings median of $69,407 four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (209 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (101 graduates), Marketing (61 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Finance and Financial Management Services ($74,898), Business/Commerce, General ($73,948), Business Administration, Management and Operations ($71,344)

17Aquinas College · Grand Rapids, MI$68,500$16,626$10,72589.9%
Aquinas College has an average net price of $16,626 and a six-year completion rate of 65%, ranking 17th on this list.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (45 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (15 graduates), Business/Corporate Communications (14 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations ($74,404)

18Hope College · Holland, MI$68,033$27,182$17,60679.2%
Hope College graduates 80% of its students within six years, and its Business alumni earn a median of $68,033 four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (120 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (15 graduates), Business/Managerial Economics (6 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Accounting and Related Services ($86,253), Business Administration, Management and Operations ($65,755)

19Northwood University · Midland, MI$67,464$27,232$25,70064.5%
Ranking 19th on this page, Northwood University admits 65% of applicants and carries an average net price of $25,700 for families earning under $30,000.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (321 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (96 graduates), Marketing (55 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations ($77,647), Business Administration, Management and Operations ($68,679), Finance and Financial Management Services ($67,477)

20Eastern Michigan University · Ypsilanti, MI$66,813$15,407$13,25079.6%
Eastern Michigan University reports a Business earnings median of $66,813 four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $15,407.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (169 graduates), Marketing (112 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (78 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Construction Management ($87,028), Finance and Financial Management Services ($74,066), Accounting and Related Services ($70,471)

21Ferris State University · Big Rapids, MI$66,506$8,624$2,55691.4%
Ferris State University ranks 198th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and shows an average net price of $2,556 for families earning under $30,000.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (181 graduates), Construction Management (66 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (54 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Construction Management ($90,504), Marketing ($66,023), Business Administration, Management and Operations ($64,131)

22Cornerstone University · Grand Rapids, MI$66,329$20,301$20,17777.8%
With a six-year completion rate of 62%, Cornerstone University reports median earnings of $66,329 for its Business graduates four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (65 graduates), Marketing (15 graduates), Finance and Financial Management Services (13 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations ($67,148)

23Madonna University · Livonia, MI$64,515$17,755$14,75963.4%
Madonna University admits 63% of applicants and its Business alumni earn a median of $64,515 four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (52 graduates), International Business (34 graduates), Hospitality Administration/Management (7 graduates)

24University of Michigan-Flint · Flint, MI$64,422$7,007$1,51770.5%
University of Michigan-Flint ranks 24th on this list, admits 70% of applicants, and posts the lowest average net price on the page at $7,007.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (49 graduates), Finance and Financial Management Services (34 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (32 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Finance and Financial Management Services ($68,826), Marketing ($67,437), Business Administration, Management and Operations ($64,086)

25Baker College · Owosso, MI$64,284$13,157$11,97681.9%
Baker College, a private nonprofit university in Owosso, reports median earnings of $64,284 for its Business graduates four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (182 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (37 graduates), Human Resources Management and Services (28 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Finance and Financial Management Services ($71,345), Business Administration, Management and Operations ($65,591), Accounting and Related Services ($63,286)

26Saginaw Valley State University · University Center, MI$63,689$10,775$9,84472.1%
Saginaw Valley State University posts a six-year completion rate of 48% and an average net price of $10,775.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Accounting and Related Services (51 graduates), Marketing (46 graduates), Business Administration, Management and Operations (43 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Accounting and Related Services ($72,171), Finance and Financial Management Services ($65,610), Business Administration, Management and Operations ($65,594)

27Spring Arbor University · Spring Arbor, MI$63,427$19,353$14,53051.5%
With an admission rate of 52%, Spring Arbor University ranks 1149th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (35 graduates), Finance and Financial Management Services (8 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (6 graduates)

28The University of Olivet · Olivet, MI$63,092$21,393$19,65683.3%
The University of Olivet carries an average net price of $19,656 for families earning under $30,000 and a six-year completion rate of 35%.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (22 graduates), Insurance (18 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (9 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations ($63,380), Insurance ($62,740)

29Alma College · Alma, MI$62,147$20,694$17,16257.0%
Alma College reports median earnings of $62,147 for its Business graduates four years after completing, and ranks 29th on this list.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (21 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (13 graduates), Finance and Financial Management Services (11 graduates)

30Northern Michigan University · Marquette, MI$62,094$14,085$7,69784.0%
Northern Michigan University, a public university in Marquette, admits 84% of applicants and shows a six-year completion rate of 52%.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (61 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (32 graduates), Construction Management (32 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Marketing ($68,157), Finance and Financial Management Services ($63,730), Accounting and Related Services ($62,901)

31Siena Heights University · Adrian, MI$58,171$17,124$15,62468.9%
Siena Heights University ranks 763rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, with median earnings of $58,171 for its Business graduates four years after completing.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (67 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (32 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Accounting and Related Services ($59,960), Business Administration, Management and Operations ($57,316)

32Rochester Christian University · Rochester Hills, MI$55,478$21,456$18,46397.7%
Rochester Christian University admits 98% of applicants and posts an average net price of $21,456.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (32 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (9 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations ($60,312)

33Michigan Technological University · Houghton, MI$55,236$14,182$2,04592.4%
Michigan Technological University reports an average net price of $2,045 for families earning under $30,000 and a six-year completion rate of 68%.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (13 graduates), Finance and Financial Management Services (13 graduates), Construction Management (13 graduates)

34Kettering University · Flint, MI$54,713$34,660$24,91078.7%
Kettering University reports median earnings of $54,713 for its Business graduates two years after completing, and ranks 649th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (10 graduates)

35Lake Superior State University · Sault Ste Marie, MI$48,297$12,822$3,516Not reported
Lake Superior State University posts a six-year completion rate of 51% and an average net price of $12,822.

Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Accounting and Related Services (14 graduates), Marketing (10 graduates), Business Administration, Management and Operations (9 graduates)

Highest four-year median earnings by program: Accounting and Related Services ($60,167), Business Administration, Management and Operations ($53,396)

How this list is ordered

Schools are ordered by the median earnings of their Business graduates four years after completing, or two years for programs that report only a two-year figure, highest first. The metric covers federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled after completing. For 1 of the 35 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. It does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The figures cited on this page cover the 28 schools with a reported completion median. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor leads Michigan State University by $49,599, and the spread from top to bottom is $86,464.