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# Best Colleges in Michigan (2026)

Updated October 1, 2026

Best Colleges in Michigan ranks 39 nonprofit four-year institutions in Michigan. Schools are ordered by Azimuth's overall score for Michigan, highest first.

The score combines four pillars, weighted 30% return, 30% mobility, 20% access and 20% affordability, as set out on Azimuth's methodology page. [University of Michigan-Ann Arbor](/school/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor/majors/) ranks 1st on this list and reports $96,159 in median earnings for its graduates four years after completing.

The list includes 15 public and 24 private institutions. 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. University of Michigan-Flint posts the lowest average net price at $7,007.

## The ranked list

39 schools in list order

| Rank | School | Median earnings, 4 years after completion | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor · Ann Arbor, MI | $96,159 | $13,138 | $1,043 | 15.6% |
|  | [University of Michigan-Ann Arbor](/school/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor/majors/) reports [median earnings of $96,159](/school/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor/outcomes/) for its graduates four years after completing, the highest figure on this list. |
| 2 | Michigan State University · East Lansing, MI | $74,093 | $19,680 | $7,068 | 84.8% |
|  | [Michigan State University](/school/michigan-state-university/majors/) [admits 85% of applicants](/school/michigan-state-university/admissions/) and graduates 81% of its students within six years. |
| 3 | Wayne State University · Detroit, MI | $68,551 | $12,766 | $11,090 | 81.2% |
|  | [Wayne State University](/school/wayne-state-university/majors/) carries an [average net price of $12,766](/school/wayne-state-university/cost/) and ranks 80th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
| 4 | University of Michigan-Dearborn · Dearborn, MI | $77,294 | $9,492 | $7,211 | 55.6% |
|  | [University of Michigan-Dearborn](/school/university-of-michigan-dearborn/majors/) posts a [six-year completion rate of 58%](/school/university-of-michigan-dearborn/outcomes/) alongside median earnings of $77,294 for its graduates four years after completing. |
| 5 | Oakland University · Rochester Hills, MI | $68,708 | $9,120 | $4,422 | 87.8% |
|  | [Oakland University](/school/oakland-university/majors/) shows an [average net price of $4,422](/school/oakland-university/cost/) for families earning under $30,000 and ranks 5th on this list. |
| 6 | Ferris State University · Big Rapids, MI | $64,721 | $8,624 | $2,556 | 91.4% |
|  | [Ferris State University](/school/ferris-state-university/majors/) [admits 91% of applicants](/school/ferris-state-university/admissions/) and reports an average net price of $8,624. |
| 7 | Grand Valley State University · Allendale, MI | $60,491 | $16,317 | $12,272 | 83.0% |
|  | [Grand Valley State University](/school/grand-valley-state-university/majors/) [graduates 67% of its students within six years](/school/grand-valley-state-university/outcomes/) and reports median earnings of $60,491 for its graduates four years after completing. |
| 8 | Michigan Technological University · Houghton, MI | $84,560 | $14,182 | $2,045 | 92.4% |
|  | [Michigan Technological University](/school/michigan-technological-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $84,560](/school/michigan-technological-university/outcomes/) for its graduates four years after completing and carries an average net price of $2,045 for families earning under $30,000. |
| 9 | University of Michigan-Flint · Flint, MI | $65,600 | $7,007 | $1,517 | 70.5% |
|  | [University of Michigan-Flint](/school/university-of-michigan-flint/majors/) holds the lowest average net price on the page at $7,007 and [admits 70% of applicants](/school/university-of-michigan-flint/admissions/). |
| 10 | Eastern Michigan University · Ypsilanti, MI | $59,616 | $15,407 | $13,250 | 79.6% |
|  | [Eastern Michigan University](/school/eastern-michigan-university/majors/) [ranks 319th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/eastern-michigan-university/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and graduates 46% of its students within six years. |
| 11 | University of Detroit Mercy · Detroit, MI | $78,953 | $15,232 | $13,088 | 75.4% |
|  | University of Detroit Mercy, a private nonprofit university in Detroit, reports median earnings of $78,953 for its graduates four years after completing. |
| 12 | Western Michigan University · Kalamazoo, MI | $62,885 | $15,273 | $5,263 | 84.6% |
|  | [Western Michigan University](/school/western-michigan-university/majors/) carries an [average net price of $15,273](/school/western-michigan-university/cost/) and admits 85% of applicants. |
| 13 | Saginaw Valley State University · University Center, MI | $63,454 | $10,775 | $9,844 | 72.1% |
|  | [Saginaw Valley State University](/school/saginaw-valley-state-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $63,454](/school/saginaw-valley-state-university/outcomes/) for its graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $10,775. |
| 14 | Central Michigan University · Mount Pleasant, MI | $61,298 | $17,597 | $12,185 | 89.8% |
|  | [Central Michigan University](/school/central-michigan-university/majors/) [admits 90% of applicants](/school/central-michigan-university/admissions/) and graduates 59% of its students within six years. |
| 15 | Walsh College · Troy, MI | $83,054 | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
|  | A private nonprofit institution in Troy, Walsh College ranks 636th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
| 16 | Kettering University · Flint, MI | $99,943 | $34,660 | $24,910 | 78.7% |
|  | [Kettering University](/school/kettering-university/majors/) posts [median earnings of $99,943](/school/kettering-university/outcomes/) for its graduates four years after completing, with an average net price of $24,910 for families earning under $30,000. |
| 17 | Northern Michigan University · Marquette, MI | $52,624 | $14,085 | $7,697 | 84.0% |
|  | [Northern Michigan University](/school/northern-michigan-university/majors/) has a [six-year completion rate of 52%](/school/northern-michigan-university/outcomes/) and an average net price of $14,085. |
| 18 | Albion College · Albion, MI | $55,297 | $14,301 | $10,036 | 80.7% |
|  | Albion College ranks 18th on this list, with median earnings of $55,297 for its graduates four years after completing. |
| 19 | Lake Superior State University · Sault Ste Marie, MI | $56,687 | $12,822 | $3,516 | Not reported |
|  | [Lake Superior State University](/school/lake-superior-state-university/majors/) reports an [average net price of $3,516](/school/lake-superior-state-university/cost/) for families earning under $30,000 and a six-year completion rate of 51%. |
| 20 | Siena Heights University · Adrian, MI | $62,131 | $17,124 | $15,624 | 68.9% |
|  | [Siena Heights University](/school/siena-heights-university/majors/) [admits 69% of applicants](/school/siena-heights-university/admissions/) and reports median earnings of $62,131 for its graduates four years after completing. |
| 21 | Davenport University · Grand Rapids, MI | $69,009 | $17,707 | $16,700 | 97.8% |
|  | Davenport University ranks 768th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, with a six-year completion rate of 57%. |
| 22 | Cleary University · Howell, MI | $67,914 | $22,143 | $18,046 | 67.5% |
|  | Cleary University reports an average net price of $22,143 and median earnings of $67,914 for its graduates four years after completing. |
| 23 | Madonna University · Livonia, MI | $61,516 | $17,755 | $14,759 | 63.4% |
|  | Madonna University admits 63% of applicants and graduates 60% of its students within six years. |
| 24 | Lawrence Technological University · Southfield, MI | $90,760 | $32,918 | $25,980 | 55.9% |
|  | [Lawrence Technological University](/school/lawrence-technological-university/majors/) posts [median earnings of $90,760](/school/lawrence-technological-university/outcomes/) for its graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $25,980 for families earning under $30,000. |
| 25 | Andrews University · Berrien Springs, MI | $60,517 | $12,547 | $13,406 | 81.9% |
|  | Andrews University reports median earnings of $60,517 for its graduates four years after completing, and its six-year completion rate stands at 72%. |
| 26 | Kalamazoo College · Kalamazoo, MI | $55,566 | $19,072 | $12,019 | 75.3% |
|  | Kalamazoo College admits 75% of applicants and shows a six-year completion rate of 76%. |
| 27 | Baker College · Owosso, MI | $53,754 | $13,157 | $11,976 | 81.9% |
|  | With an [admission rate of 82%](/school/baker-college/admissions/), [Baker College](/school/baker-college/majors/) posts median earnings of $53,754 for its graduates four years after completing. |
| 28 | Grace Christian University · Wyoming, MI | $43,821 | $12,404 | $9,538 | 99.2% |
|  | Grace Christian University carries an average net price of $12,404 and graduates 51% of its students within six years. |
| 29 | Northwood University · Midland, MI | $67,409 | $27,232 | $25,700 | 64.5% |
|  | Graduates of Northwood University earn a median of $67,409 four years after completing, and the school admits 65% of applicants. |
| 30 | Calvin University · Grand Rapids, MI | $60,889 | $22,992 | $19,281 | 70.9% |
|  | [Calvin University](/school/calvin-university/majors/) [ranks 1140th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/calvin-university/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports a six-year completion rate of 74%. |
| 31 | Spring Arbor University · Spring Arbor, MI | $55,203 | $19,353 | $14,530 | 51.5% |
|  | Spring Arbor University shows an average net price of $19,353 and median earnings of $55,203 for its graduates four years after completing. |
| 32 | The University of Olivet · Olivet, MI | $52,261 | $21,393 | $19,656 | 83.3% |
|  | [The University of Olivet](/school/the-university-of-olivet/majors/) [admits 83% of applicants](/school/the-university-of-olivet/admissions/), and its graduates earn a median of $52,261 four years after completing. |
| 33 | Cornerstone University · Grand Rapids, MI | $53,010 | $20,301 | $20,177 | 77.8% |
|  | [Cornerstone University](/school/cornerstone-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $53,010](/school/cornerstone-university/outcomes/) for its graduates four years after completing, alongside a six-year completion rate of 62%. |
| 34 | Aquinas College · Grand Rapids, MI | $51,578 | $16,626 | $10,725 | 89.9% |
|  | [Aquinas College](/school/aquinas-college/majors/) carries an [average net price of $16,626](/school/aquinas-college/cost/) and admits 90% of applicants. |
| 35 | Hope College · Holland, MI | $60,573 | $27,182 | $17,606 | 79.2% |
|  | [Hope College](/school/hope-college/majors/) [ranks 1255th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/hope-college/) among nonprofit four-year institutions, with median earnings of $60,573 for its graduates four years after completing. |
| 36 | Alma College · Alma, MI | $55,040 | $20,694 | $17,162 | 57.0% |
|  | Alma College graduates 63% of its students within six years and reports an average net price of $20,694. |
| 37 | Rochester Christian University · Rochester Hills, MI | $50,000 | $21,456 | $18,463 | 97.7% |
|  | Rochester Christian University reports median earnings of $50,000 for its graduates four years after completing, alongside a six-year completion rate of 44%. |
| 38 | Adrian College · Adrian, MI | $55,233 | $25,368 | $19,542 | 72.5% |
|  | [Adrian College](/school/adrian-college/majors/) [admits 73% of applicants](/school/adrian-college/admissions/) and carries an average net price of $25,368. |
| 39 | College for Creative Studies · Detroit, MI | $47,659 | $34,617 | $30,267 | 91.9% |
|  | College for Creative Studies, a private nonprofit institution in Detroit, ranks 1442nd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |

## How this list is ordered

Schools are ordered by Azimuth's overall score for Michigan, highest first. The score combines four pillars, weighted 30% return, 30% mobility, 20% access and 20% affordability, as set out on [Azimuth's methodology page](/methodology/#composite). The score draws on institution-level earnings for federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled four years after completing, alongside measures of access, affordability and mobility. It does not measure fit or teaching quality. The list includes 15 public and 24 private nonprofit four-year institutions. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ranks 1st on this list and 16th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, while Michigan State University follows at 2nd with median earnings of $74,093 for its graduates four years after completing.

## Related rankings

-   [Most Affordable Colleges in Michigan](/rankings/most-affordable-colleges-in-michigan/)
-   [Highest Paying Colleges in Michigan](/rankings/highest-paying-colleges-in-michigan/)
-   [Best Colleges for Social Mobility in Michigan](/rankings/best-colleges-for-social-mobility-in-michigan/)