# Best Bachelor's Programs in Michigan

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 40 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-michigan

## Methodology

Bachelor's programs in Michigan ranked by outcomes and mobility

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

When considering a bachelor's degree in Michigan, the choices can be overwhelming. With 39 programs to choose from, students and families are looking for schools that not only provide a quality education but also ensure strong post-graduation outcomes. For instance, the average earnings of graduates from these programs sit at $56,834, a figure that highlights the importance of selecting the right institution.

What sets the top schools in this list apart are the key metrics that reflect their effectiveness. Factors like graduate earnings, completion rates, student debt, and mobility play crucial roles in determining which programs deliver the best value. In this ranking, you'll see how schools stack up against each other based on these outcomes, allowing for a clearer understanding of the potential return on investment.

Take, for example, the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and Michigan Technological University. The former boasts impressive earnings of $83,648 with a graduation rate of 93%, while the latter has earnings of $78,198 and a significantly lower graduation rate of 68%. This contrast illustrates the tradeoffs students must consider as they weigh options in their educational journey.

## Key Findings

- University of Michigan-Ann Arbor graduates earn an average of $83,648.
- The average graduation rate across these programs is 59%.
- Michigan Technological University has a net price of $14,182.
- University of Michigan-Dearborn graduates have an average debt of $22,500.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [University of Detroit Mercy](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-detroit-mercy) | Detroit, MI | 68% | $71,030 | $15,232 | $23,250 | 0.33x |
| 2 | [Michigan State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/michigan-state-university) | East Lansing, MI | 81% | $67,253 | $19,680 | $23,250 | 0.35x |
| 3 | [Michigan Technological University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/michigan-technological-university) | Houghton, MI | 68% | $78,198 | $14,182 | $24,990 | 0.32x |
| 4 | [University of Michigan-Ann Arbor](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor) | Ann Arbor, MI | 93% | $83,648 | $13,138 | $19,500 | 0.23x |
| 5 | [Ferris State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/ferris-state-university) | Big Rapids, MI | 47% | $54,735 | $8,624 | $21,000 | 0.38x |
| 6 | [Kalamazoo College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/kalamazoo-college) | Kalamazoo, MI | 79% | $65,590 | $19,072 | $26,077 | 0.4x |
| 7 | [Calvin University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/calvin-university) | Grand Rapids, MI | 76% | $58,375 | $22,992 | $23,250 | 0.4x |
| 8 | [Andrews University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/andrews-university) | Berrien Springs, MI | 69% | $53,187 | $12,547 | $26,000 | 0.49x |
| 9 | [Kettering University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/kettering-university) | Flint, MI | 71% | $94,823 | $34,660 | $27,000 | 0.28x |
| 10 | [Oakland University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/oakland-university) | Rochester Hills, MI | 57% | $58,612 | $9,120 | $22,750 | 0.39x |
| 11 | [Lake Superior State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lake-superior-state-university) | Sault Ste Marie, MI | 54% | $49,045 | $12,822 | $23,250 | 0.47x |
| 12 | [Grand Valley State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/grand-valley-state-university) | Allendale, MI | 68% | $56,118 | $16,317 | $24,500 | 0.44x |
| 13 | [Western Michigan University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/western-michigan-university) | Kalamazoo, MI | 58% | $53,562 | $15,273 | $26,188 | 0.49x |
| 14 | [Siena Heights University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/siena-heights-university) | Adrian, MI | 45% | $57,529 | $17,124 | $18,750 | 0.33x |
| 15 | [Albion College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/albion-college) | Albion, MI | 59% | $58,799 | $14,301 | $27,000 | 0.46x |
| 16 | [Eastern Michigan University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/eastern-michigan-university) | Ypsilanti, MI | 46% | $51,793 | $15,407 | $25,000 | 0.48x |
| 17 | [Hope College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/hope-college) | Holland, MI | 81% | $58,427 | $27,182 | $26,800 | 0.46x |
| 18 | [Central Michigan University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/central-michigan-university) | Mount Pleasant, MI | 60% | $55,874 | $17,597 | $27,000 | 0.48x |
| 19 | [Saginaw Valley State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/saginaw-valley-state-university) | University Center, MI | 51% | $51,955 | $10,775 | $25,000 | 0.48x |
| 20 | [Madonna University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/madonna-university) | Livonia, MI | 59% | $59,058 | $17,755 | $23,000 | 0.39x |
| 21 | [Wayne State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/wayne-state-university) | Detroit, MI | 58% | $53,493 | $12,766 | $21,250 | 0.4x |
| 22 | [Cornerstone University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/cornerstone-university) | Grand Rapids, MI | 62% | $47,314 | $20,301 | $25,000 | 0.53x |
| 23 | [Aquinas College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/aquinas-college) | Grand Rapids, MI | 64% | $49,584 | $16,626 | $23,000 | 0.46x |
| 24 | [University of Michigan-Dearborn](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-michigan-dearborn) | Dearborn, MI | 57% | $59,649 | $9,492 | $22,500 | 0.38x |
| 25 | [Northern Michigan University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northern-michigan-university) | Marquette, MI | 52% | $47,107 | $14,085 | $21,474 | 0.46x |
| 26 | [Spring Arbor University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/spring-arbor-university) | Spring Arbor, MI | 61% | $51,732 | $19,353 | $26,375 | 0.51x |
| 27 | [Alma College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/alma-college) | Alma, MI | 63% | $54,742 | $20,694 | $27,000 | 0.49x |
| 28 | [Northwood University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northwood-university) | Midland, MI | 62% | $63,075 | $27,232 | $20,842 | 0.33x |
| 29 | [Lawrence Technological University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lawrence-technological-university) | Southfield, MI | 62% | $69,151 | $32,918 | $27,000 | 0.39x |
| 30 | [Davenport University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/davenport-university) | Grand Rapids, MI | 53% | $45,099 | $17,707 | $26,000 | 0.58x |
| 31 | [The University of Olivet](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-university-of-olivet) | Olivet, MI | 36% | $47,907 | $21,393 | $27,000 | 0.56x |
| 32 | [Adrian College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/adrian-college) | Adrian, MI | 52% | $55,504 | $25,368 | $27,000 | 0.49x |
| 33 | [College for Creative Studies](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/college-for-creative-studies) | Detroit, MI | 70% | $44,860 | $34,617 | $26,000 | 0.58x |
| 34 | [University of Michigan-Flint](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-michigan-flint) | Flint, MI | 42% | $53,230 | $7,007 | $25,000 | 0.47x |
| 35 | [Baker College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/baker-college) | Owosso, MI | 33% | $35,833 | $13,157 | $25,000 | 0.7x |
| 36 | [Grace Christian University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/grace-christian-university) | Wyoming, MI | 46% | $41,663 | $12,404 | $24,375 | 0.59x |
| 37 | [Rochester University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/rochester-university) | Rochester Hills, MI | 43% | $48,707 | $21,456 | $24,475 | 0.5x |
| 38 | [Cleary University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/cleary-university) | Howell, MI | 41% | $54,186 | $22,143 | $19,500 | 0.36x |
| 39 | [Hillsdale College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/hillsdale-college) | Hillsdale, MI | 87% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 40 | [Concordia University Ann Arbor](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/concordia-university-ann-arbor) | Ann Arbor, MI | 49% | $56,075 | $32,811 | $25,750 | 0.46x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Bachelor's Programs in Michigan." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-michigan

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.