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# Best Engineering Colleges in Michigan (2026)

Updated September 30, 2026

Programs in this field[Biomedical/Medical Engineering](/rankings/best-biomedicalmedical-engineering-programs-in-michigan/)[Chemical Engineering](/rankings/best-chemical-engineering-programs-in-michigan/)

This page ranks the 19 schools in Michigan that offer Engineering by median earnings of Engineering graduates four years after completing. [University of Michigan-Ann Arbor](/school/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor/majors/) leads the list with median earnings of $111,754 four years after completing.

Across the 16 schools with a published figure, earnings range from $111,754 to $82,141, with a median of $90,426.

Public institutions account for 68% of the listed schools. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ranks 16th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.

University of Michigan-Flint posts the lowest average net price on the page at $7,007.

## The ranked list

19 schools in list order

| Rank | School | Median Engineering Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor · Ann Arbor, MI | $111,754 | $13,138 | $1,043 | 15.6% |
|  | [University of Michigan-Ann Arbor](/school/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor/majors/) reports [$111,754 in median earnings](/school/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor/outcomes/) of Engineering graduates four years after completing, the highest figure on this list, and ranks 16th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (275 graduates), Industrial Engineering (170 graduates), Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering (164 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Engineering ($142,071), Industrial Engineering ($117,930), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($117,610) |
| 2 | University of Detroit Mercy · Detroit, MI | $104,683 | $15,232 | $13,088 | 75.4% |
|  | A private nonprofit university in Detroit, University of Detroit Mercy posts median earnings of $104,683 for its Engineering graduates four years after completing, alongside a six-year completion rate of 67%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (19 graduates), Engineering, General (7 graduates), Civil Engineering (7 graduates) |
| 3 | Kettering University · Flint, MI | $102,080 | $34,660 | $24,910 | 78.7% |
|  | [Kettering University](/school/kettering-university/majors/) [admits 79% of applicants](/school/kettering-university/admissions/) and its Engineering graduates earn a median of $102,080 four years after completing, while the school carries an average net price of $34,660. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (193 graduates), Computer Engineering (35 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (35 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($109,977), Mechanical Engineering ($99,292), Industrial Engineering ($86,265) |
| 4 | University of Michigan-Dearborn · Dearborn, MI | No published median | $9,492 | $7,211 | 55.6% |
|  | [University of Michigan-Dearborn](/school/university-of-michigan-dearborn/majors/) [ranks 88th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/university-of-michigan-dearborn/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and shows an average net price of $9,492 alongside a six-year completion rate of 58%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (134 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (121 graduates), Biomedical/Medical Engineering (38 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Engineering ($111,740), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($105,446), Mechanical Engineering ($94,919) |
| 5 | Michigan State University · East Lansing, MI | $97,272 | $19,680 | $7,068 | 84.8% |
|  | With a [six-year completion rate of 81%](/school/michigan-state-university/outcomes/), [Michigan State University](/school/michigan-state-university/majors/) reports median earnings of $97,272 for its Engineering graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (277 graduates), Chemical Engineering (102 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (101 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Engineering ($104,627), Engineering, General ($102,301), Chemical Engineering ($102,223) |
| 6 | Oakland University · Rochester Hills, MI | No published median | $9,120 | $4,422 | 87.8% |
|  | [Oakland University](/school/oakland-university/majors/) posts an [average net price of $9,120](/school/oakland-university/cost/) and admits 88% of applicants, with a six-year completion rate of 58%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (173 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (128 graduates), Computer Engineering (49 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($99,967), Mechanical Engineering ($97,444), Computer Engineering ($95,843) |
| 7 | Wayne State University · Detroit, MI | $96,274 | $12,766 | $11,090 | 81.2% |
|  | [Wayne State University](/school/wayne-state-university/majors/) [graduates 58% of its students within six years](/school/wayne-state-university/outcomes/), and its Engineering completers earn a median of $96,274 four years after graduating. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (69 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (65 graduates), Civil Engineering (33 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($100,944), Mechanical Engineering ($94,869), Chemical Engineering ($93,047) |
| 8 | Grand Valley State University · Allendale, MI | $95,021 | $16,317 | $12,272 | 83.0% |
|  | [Grand Valley State University](/school/grand-valley-state-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $95,021](/school/grand-valley-state-university/outcomes/) for its Engineering graduates four years after completing, and ranks 210th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (71 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (31 graduates), Manufacturing Engineering (20 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Mechanical Engineering ($90,565) |
| 9 | Lawrence Technological University · Southfield, MI | $94,104 | $32,918 | $25,980 | 55.9% |
|  | A private nonprofit institution in Southfield, [Lawrence Technological University](/school/lawrence-technological-university/majors/) shows a [six-year completion rate of 61%](/school/lawrence-technological-university/outcomes/) and median earnings of $94,104 for its Engineering graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (60 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (45 graduates), Biomedical/Medical Engineering (22 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Mechanical Engineering ($100,145) |
| 10 | Western Michigan University · Kalamazoo, MI | $90,637 | $15,273 | $5,263 | 84.6% |
|  | [Western Michigan University](/school/western-michigan-university/majors/) [admits 85% of applicants](/school/western-michigan-university/admissions/) and its Engineering graduates earn a median of $90,637 four years after completing, while the school carries an average net price of $15,273. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (82 graduates), Chemical Engineering (47 graduates), Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering (41 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($95,469), Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering ($94,177), Industrial Engineering ($92,306) |
| 11 | Lake Superior State University · Sault Ste Marie, MI | $90,216 | $12,822 | $3,516 | Not reported |
|  | [Lake Superior State University](/school/lake-superior-state-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $90,216](/school/lake-superior-state-university/outcomes/) for its Engineering graduates four years after completing, and shows an average net price of $3,516 for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (21 graduates), Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering (8 graduates) |
| 12 | Michigan Technological University · Houghton, MI | $89,881 | $14,182 | $2,045 | 92.4% |
|  | [Michigan Technological University](/school/michigan-technological-university/majors/) [admits 92% of applicants](/school/michigan-technological-university/admissions/) and ranks 12th on this list, with its Engineering graduates earning a median of $89,881 four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (266 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (102 graduates), Chemical Engineering (88 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($99,848), Chemical Engineering ($94,478), Computer Engineering ($93,557) |
| 13 | University of Michigan-Flint · Flint, MI | $89,554 | $7,007 | $1,517 | 70.5% |
|  | [University of Michigan-Flint](/school/university-of-michigan-flint/majors/) ranks 13th on this list and reports an [average net price of $1,517](/school/university-of-michigan-flint/cost/) for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (40 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Mechanical Engineering ($89,554) |
| 14 | Central Michigan University · Mount Pleasant, MI | $87,546 | $17,597 | $12,185 | 89.8% |
|  | [Central Michigan University](/school/central-michigan-university/majors/) ranks 14th on this page with [median earnings of $87,546](/school/central-michigan-university/outcomes/) for its Engineering graduates four years after completing, and its six-year completion rate is 59%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (34 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (20 graduates), Computer Engineering (6 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($91,542), Mechanical Engineering ($85,196) |
| 15 | Saginaw Valley State University · University Center, MI | $85,889 | $10,775 | $9,844 | 72.1% |
|  | With an [admission rate of 72%](/school/saginaw-valley-state-university/admissions/), [Saginaw Valley State University](/school/saginaw-valley-state-university/majors/) admits 72% of applicants and reports median earnings of $85,889 four years after completing its Engineering program. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (41 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (18 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Mechanical Engineering ($83,873) |
| 16 | Hope College · Holland, MI | $82,513 | $27,182 | $17,606 | 79.2% |
|  | A private nonprofit institution in Holland, [Hope College](/school/hope-college/majors/) [graduates 80% of its students within six years](/school/hope-college/outcomes/) and lists an average net price of $27,182. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Engineering, General (52 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Engineering, General ($82,513) |
| 17 | Calvin University · Grand Rapids, MI | $82,326 | $22,992 | $19,281 | 70.9% |
|  | [Calvin University](/school/calvin-university/majors/) posts [median earnings of $82,326](/school/calvin-university/outcomes/) for its Engineering graduates four years after completing and ranks 1140th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Engineering, General (75 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Engineering, General ($82,326) |
| 18 | Ferris State University · Big Rapids, MI | $82,141 | $8,624 | $2,556 | 91.4% |
|  | [Ferris State University](/school/ferris-state-university/majors/) reports an [average net price of $2,556](/school/ferris-state-university/cost/) for families earning under $30,000 and a six-year completion rate of 47%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Manufacturing Engineering (32 graduates), Surveying Engineering (13 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Manufacturing Engineering ($80,996) |
| 19 | Baker College · Owosso, MI | No published median | $13,157 | $11,976 | 81.9% |
|  | [Baker College](/school/baker-college/majors/) [ranks 970th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/baker-college/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and admits 82% of applicants. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (11 graduates) |

## How this list is ordered

Schools are ordered by the median earnings of their Engineering graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only schools with a reported Engineering earnings cohort in Michigan appear. The figure captures federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled four years after finishing the program. It does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost of attendance, or the characteristics of the students who enroll, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The range and median below cover the 16 schools with a published figure. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor leads at $111,754, and the gap to second-ranked University of Detroit Mercy is $7,071.

## Job market context in Michigan

The Bureau of Labor Statistics links Engineering graduates to occupations such as Industrial Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, and Electrical Engineers in Michigan. Across those occupations the median annual wage is $108,271, and a quarter of workers in those occupations earn less than $86,935. Projections for 2024 to 2034 show about 10,920 openings a year, or about 212 openings a year for every hundred graduates, with more projected openings than graduates. Projections for 2024 to 2034 put employment in those occupations about 4.3% higher. Wages and top occupations exclude management occupations; openings include them. The ranking above uses graduate earnings four years after completing; the market figures describe the broader occupations and are not the same measure.

## Related rankings

-   [Best Engineering Colleges in the United States](/rankings/best-engineering-colleges/)
-   [Best Colleges in Michigan](/rankings/best-colleges-in-michigan/)
-   [Best Engineering Colleges in Maryland](/rankings/best-engineering-colleges-in-maryland/)
-   [Best Engineering Colleges in Texas](/rankings/best-engineering-colleges-in-texas/)
-   [Best Engineering Colleges in California](/rankings/best-engineering-colleges-in-california/)
-   [Best Engineering Colleges in New Jersey](/rankings/best-engineering-colleges-in-new-jersey/)
-   Engineering Colleges in Michigan for Social Mobility