# Best Colleges in Michigan

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 50 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-michigan

## Methodology

Composite score for institutions in Michigan

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 evaluating colleges in Michigan, students and families face a range of options that vary widely in outcomes. The schools listed here are known for their strong academic programs, supportive environments, and potential career earnings, making them worthy of consideration in your college search. For context, the average earnings for graduates from these institutions stand at $49,208.

What sets the top schools apart are their graduation rates, average earnings, debt levels, and overall student mobility. These factors paint a clearer picture of the return on investment of attending each institution. By analyzing the earnings and debt data, we can better understand how these schools equip their graduates for success and how they help them navigate their post-college lives.

For instance, the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor boasts impressive earnings of $83,648 with a graduation rate of 93%. In contrast, the University of Michigan-Dearborn shows lower earnings at $59,649 and a graduation rate of just 57%. These differences highlight the trade-offs students must consider when weighing their options in Michigan's diverse college landscape.

## Key Findings

- University of Michigan-Ann Arbor graduates earn an average of $83,648.
- Michigan Technological University has a graduation rate of 68%.
- University of Michigan-Dearborn students face $22,500 in debt.
- The average graduation rate for Michigan colleges is only 46%.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Michigan Technological University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/michigan-technological-university) | Houghton, MI | 68% | $78,198 | $14,182 | $24,990 | 0.32x |
| 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 | [Ferris State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/ferris-state-university) | Big Rapids, MI | 47% | $54,735 | $8,624 | $21,000 | 0.38x |
| 5 | [Kalamazoo College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/kalamazoo-college) | Kalamazoo, MI | 79% | $65,590 | $19,072 | $26,077 | 0.4x |
| 6 | [Kettering University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/kettering-university) | Flint, MI | 71% | $94,823 | $34,660 | $27,000 | 0.28x |
| 7 | [Oakland University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/oakland-university) | Rochester Hills, MI | 57% | $58,612 | $9,120 | $22,750 | 0.39x |
| 8 | [Calvin University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/calvin-university) | Grand Rapids, MI | 76% | $58,375 | $22,992 | $23,250 | 0.4x |
| 9 | [Andrews University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/andrews-university) | Berrien Springs, MI | 69% | $53,187 | $12,547 | $26,000 | 0.49x |
| 10 | [Grand Valley State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/grand-valley-state-university) | Allendale, MI | 68% | $56,118 | $16,317 | $24,500 | 0.44x |
| 11 | [Western Michigan University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/western-michigan-university) | Kalamazoo, MI | 58% | $53,562 | $15,273 | $26,188 | 0.49x |
| 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 | [Siena Heights University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/siena-heights-university) | Adrian, MI | 45% | $57,529 | $17,124 | $18,750 | 0.33x |
| 14 | [Albion College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/albion-college) | Albion, MI | 59% | $58,799 | $14,301 | $27,000 | 0.46x |
| 15 | [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 |
| 16 | [Hope College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/hope-college) | Holland, MI | 81% | $58,427 | $27,182 | $26,800 | 0.46x |
| 17 | [Macomb Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/macomb-community-college) | Warren, MI | 17% | $41,596 | $1,618 | $6,000 | 0.14x |
| 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 | [Muskegon Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/muskegon-community-college) | Muskegon, MI | 30% | $36,549 | $4,005 | $9,125 | 0.25x |
| 20 | [West Shore Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/west-shore-community-college) | Scottville, MI | 29% | $36,115 | $1,527 | $9,089 | 0.25x |
| 21 | [Eastern Michigan University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/eastern-michigan-university) | Ypsilanti, MI | 46% | $51,793 | $15,407 | $25,000 | 0.48x |
| 22 | [Gogebic Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/gogebic-community-college) | Ironwood, MI | 34% | $40,950 | $5,397 | $10,925 | 0.27x |
| 23 | [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 |
| 24 | [Madonna University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/madonna-university) | Livonia, MI | 59% | $59,058 | $17,755 | $23,000 | 0.39x |
| 25 | [Cornerstone University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/cornerstone-university) | Grand Rapids, MI | 62% | $47,314 | $20,301 | $25,000 | 0.53x |
| 26 | [Delta College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/delta-college) | University Center, MI | 21% | $37,781 | $4,547 | $10,978 | 0.29x |
| 27 | [Alpena Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/alpena-community-college) | Alpena, MI | 51% | $36,442 | $3,320 | $9,024 | 0.25x |
| 28 | [Aquinas College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/aquinas-college) | Grand Rapids, MI | 64% | $49,584 | $16,626 | $23,000 | 0.46x |
| 29 | [Oakland Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/oakland-community-college) | Auburn Hills, MI | 19% | $37,395 | $5,777 | $9,105 | 0.24x |
| 30 | [Monroe County Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/monroe-county-community-college) | Monroe, MI | 33% | $41,646 | $4,586 | $12,296 | 0.3x |
| 31 | [Northern Michigan University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northern-michigan-university) | Marquette, MI | 52% | $47,107 | $14,085 | $21,474 | 0.46x |
| 32 | [Lake Michigan College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lake-michigan-college) | Benton Harbor, MI | 22% | $34,466 | $6,680 | $9,000 | 0.26x |
| 33 | [Spring Arbor University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/spring-arbor-university) | Spring Arbor, MI | 61% | $51,732 | $19,353 | $26,375 | 0.51x |
| 34 | [Wayne State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/wayne-state-university) | Detroit, MI | 58% | $53,493 | $12,766 | $21,250 | 0.4x |
| 35 | [St Clair County Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/st-clair-county-community-college) | Port Huron, MI | 33% | $40,177 | $5,571 | $11,750 | 0.29x |
| 36 | [Northwestern Michigan College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northwestern-michigan-college) | Traverse City, MI | 25% | $38,167 | $6,231 | $12,500 | 0.33x |
| 37 | [Kalamazoo Valley Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/kalamazoo-valley-community-college) | Kalamazoo, MI | 25% | $38,618 | $2,979 | $9,699 | 0.25x |
| 38 | [Southwestern Michigan College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southwestern-michigan-college) | Dowagiac, MI | 32% | $37,303 | $5,978 | $10,959 | 0.29x |
| 39 | [Lansing Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lansing-community-college) | Lansing, MI | 24% | $39,206 | $5,437 | $12,700 | 0.32x |
| 40 | [Grand Rapids Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/grand-rapids-community-college) | Grand Rapids, MI | 20% | $38,377 | $8,621 | $9,000 | 0.23x |
| 41 | [Alma College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/alma-college) | Alma, MI | 63% | $54,742 | $20,694 | $27,000 | 0.49x |
| 42 | [North Central Michigan College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/north-central-michigan-college) | Petoskey, MI | 27% | $36,594 | $10,083 | $14,000 | 0.38x |
| 43 | [Montcalm Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/montcalm-community-college) | Sidney, MI | 29% | $35,499 | $7,280 | $16,500 | 0.46x |
| 44 | [University of Michigan-Dearborn](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-michigan-dearborn) | Dearborn, MI | 57% | $59,649 | $9,492 | $22,500 | 0.38x |
| 45 | [Northwood University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northwood-university) | Midland, MI | 62% | $63,075 | $27,232 | $20,842 | 0.33x |
| 46 | [Bay de Noc Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bay-de-noc-community-college) | Escanaba, MI | 27% | $35,090 | $11,949 | $12,618 | 0.36x |
| 47 | [Adrian College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/adrian-college) | Adrian, MI | 52% | $55,504 | $25,368 | $27,000 | 0.49x |
| 48 | [The University of Olivet](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-university-of-olivet) | Olivet, MI | 36% | $47,907 | $21,393 | $27,000 | 0.56x |
| 49 | [Kellogg Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/kellogg-community-college) | Battle Creek, MI | 28% | $38,329 | $4,858 | $17,000 | 0.44x |
| 50 | [Lawrence Technological University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lawrence-technological-university) | Southfield, MI | 62% | $69,151 | $32,918 | $27,000 | 0.39x |

## 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 Colleges in Michigan." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-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/.