# Best Biology Colleges in Michigan

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-08-03 | Schools: 29 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-biology-michigan

## Methodology

Biology programs in Michigan ranked by outcomes and program concentration

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

Choosing the right college for a biology program is a significant decision for many students and families. With 28 institutions in Michigan offering diverse pathways in this field, it's crucial to understand how each school measures up. Graduates from these programs can expect varying degrees of success, with average earnings reported at $57,661.

The strongest schools in this ranking are distinguished by tangible outcomes: earnings potential, graduation rates, student debt levels, and overall program concentration. As you explore the list below, keep an eye on these key metrics, especially the balance between net price and post-graduate earnings. This will help you gauge which programs might set you on a promising career path.

For example, the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor stands out with impressive earnings of $83,648 and a graduation rate of 93%. In contrast, the University of Michigan-Dearborn shows earnings of $59,649, with a lower graduation rate of 57%. This illustrates a clear tradeoff: while the former may come with a higher price tag, the return on investment appears significantly greater in the long run.

## Key Findings

- University of Michigan-Ann Arbor graduates earn $83,648 on average, the highest in this ranking.
- The average graduation rate across these schools is 60%, indicating a mixed level of student success.
- University of Detroit Mercy has a net price of $15,232, which is higher than the average of $13,138.
- Graduates from University of Michigan-Dearborn face an average debt of $22,500, one of the higher amounts in this list.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Kalamazoo College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/kalamazoo-college) | Kalamazoo, MI | 79% | $65,590 | $19,072 | $26,077 | 0.4x |
| 2 | [University of Detroit Mercy](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-detroit-mercy) | Detroit, MI | 68% | $71,030 | $15,232 | $23,250 | 0.33x |
| 3 | [Michigan State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/michigan-state-university) | East Lansing, MI | 81% | $67,253 | $19,680 | $23,250 | 0.35x |
| 4 | [Albion College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/albion-college) | Albion, MI | 59% | $58,799 | $14,301 | $27,000 | 0.46x |
| 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 | [Calvin University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/calvin-university) | Grand Rapids, MI | 76% | $58,375 | $22,992 | $23,250 | 0.4x |
| 7 | [Grand Valley State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/grand-valley-state-university) | Allendale, MI | 68% | $56,118 | $16,317 | $24,500 | 0.44x |
| 8 | [Andrews University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/andrews-university) | Berrien Springs, MI | 69% | $53,187 | $12,547 | $26,000 | 0.49x |
| 9 | [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 |
| 10 | [Oakland University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/oakland-university) | Rochester Hills, MI | 57% | $58,612 | $9,120 | $22,750 | 0.39x |
| 11 | [Hope College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/hope-college) | Holland, MI | 81% | $58,427 | $27,182 | $26,800 | 0.46x |
| 12 | [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 |
| 13 | [Central Michigan University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/central-michigan-university) | Mount Pleasant, MI | 60% | $55,874 | $17,597 | $27,000 | 0.48x |
| 14 | [Western Michigan University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/western-michigan-university) | Kalamazoo, MI | 58% | $53,562 | $15,273 | $26,188 | 0.49x |
| 15 | [Eastern Michigan University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/eastern-michigan-university) | Ypsilanti, MI | 46% | $51,793 | $15,407 | $25,000 | 0.48x |
| 16 | [Northern Michigan University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northern-michigan-university) | Marquette, MI | 52% | $47,107 | $14,085 | $21,474 | 0.46x |
| 17 | [Aquinas College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/aquinas-college) | Grand Rapids, MI | 64% | $49,584 | $16,626 | $23,000 | 0.46x |
| 18 | [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 |
| 19 | [Madonna University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/madonna-university) | Livonia, MI | 59% | $59,058 | $17,755 | $23,000 | 0.39x |
| 20 | [Alma College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/alma-college) | Alma, MI | 63% | $54,742 | $20,694 | $27,000 | 0.49x |
| 21 | [Cornerstone University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/cornerstone-university) | Grand Rapids, MI | 62% | $47,314 | $20,301 | $25,000 | 0.53x |
| 22 | [Wayne State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/wayne-state-university) | Detroit, MI | 58% | $53,493 | $12,766 | $21,250 | 0.4x |
| 23 | [University of Michigan-Dearborn](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-michigan-dearborn) | Dearborn, MI | 57% | $59,649 | $9,492 | $22,500 | 0.38x |
| 24 | [Adrian College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/adrian-college) | Adrian, MI | 52% | $55,504 | $25,368 | $27,000 | 0.49x |
| 25 | [The University of Olivet](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-university-of-olivet) | Olivet, MI | 36% | $47,907 | $21,393 | $27,000 | 0.56x |
| 26 | [University of Michigan-Flint](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-michigan-flint) | Flint, MI | 42% | $53,230 | $7,007 | $25,000 | 0.47x |
| 27 | [Mott Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mott-community-college) | Flint, MI | 26% | $32,538 | $5,687 | $13,000 | 0.4x |
| 28 | [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 |
| 29 | [Hillsdale College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/hillsdale-college) | Hillsdale, MI | 87% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |

## 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 Biology Colleges in Michigan." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-08-03. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-biology-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/.