# Best Master's Programs in Michigan

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 44 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-michigan

## Methodology

Master's programs in Michigan ranked by graduate outcomes

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

Considering a master's program in Michigan? You're in good company. With 43 options available, students are weighing their choices based on crucial factors like earnings potential and graduation rates.

What separates the strongest programs from the rest? Outcomes matter. Here, we look specifically at earnings, graduation rates, net prices, and debt levels. Analyzing these figures can help you identify which schools effectively prepare their graduates for successful careers.

Take the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, for instance. With an impressive average earnings of $83,648 and a graduation rate of 93%, it stands out. In contrast, the University of Michigan-Dearborn has lower earnings at $59,649 and a graduation rate of only 57%. Understanding these differences can guide your decision-making process as you consider your future.

## Key Findings

- University of Michigan-Ann Arbor graduates earn an average of $83,648.
- The average graduation rate among these programs is 56%.
- Michigan Technological University's net price is $14,182 with an average debt of $24,990.
- University of Detroit Mercy has a graduation rate of 68% and an average debt of $23,250.

## 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 | [Alpena Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/alpena-community-college) | Alpena, MI | 51% | $36,442 | $3,320 | $9,024 | 0.25x |
| 19 | [Central Michigan University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/central-michigan-university) | Mount Pleasant, MI | 60% | $55,874 | $17,597 | $27,000 | 0.48x |
| 20 | [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 |
| 21 | [Madonna University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/madonna-university) | Livonia, MI | 59% | $59,058 | $17,755 | $23,000 | 0.39x |
| 22 | [Wayne State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/wayne-state-university) | Detroit, MI | 58% | $53,493 | $12,766 | $21,250 | 0.4x |
| 23 | [Cornerstone University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/cornerstone-university) | Grand Rapids, MI | 62% | $47,314 | $20,301 | $25,000 | 0.53x |
| 24 | [Aquinas College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/aquinas-college) | Grand Rapids, MI | 64% | $49,584 | $16,626 | $23,000 | 0.46x |
| 25 | [University of Michigan-Dearborn](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-michigan-dearborn) | Dearborn, MI | 57% | $59,649 | $9,492 | $22,500 | 0.38x |
| 26 | [Northern Michigan University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northern-michigan-university) | Marquette, MI | 52% | $47,107 | $14,085 | $21,474 | 0.46x |
| 27 | [Northwestern Michigan College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northwestern-michigan-college) | Traverse City, MI | 25% | $38,167 | $6,231 | $12,500 | 0.33x |
| 28 | [Spring Arbor University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/spring-arbor-university) | Spring Arbor, MI | 61% | $51,732 | $19,353 | $26,375 | 0.51x |
| 29 | [Alma College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/alma-college) | Alma, MI | 63% | $54,742 | $20,694 | $27,000 | 0.49x |
| 30 | [Jackson College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/jackson-college) | Jackson, MI | 17% | $36,898 | $7,761 | $13,875 | 0.38x |
| 31 | [Northwood University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northwood-university) | Midland, MI | 62% | $63,075 | $27,232 | $20,842 | 0.33x |
| 32 | [Lawrence Technological University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lawrence-technological-university) | Southfield, MI | 62% | $69,151 | $32,918 | $27,000 | 0.39x |
| 33 | [Davenport University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/davenport-university) | Grand Rapids, MI | 53% | $45,099 | $17,707 | $26,000 | 0.58x |
| 34 | [The University of Olivet](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-university-of-olivet) | Olivet, MI | 36% | $47,907 | $21,393 | $27,000 | 0.56x |
| 35 | [Adrian College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/adrian-college) | Adrian, MI | 52% | $55,504 | $25,368 | $27,000 | 0.49x |
| 36 | [College for Creative Studies](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/college-for-creative-studies) | Detroit, MI | 70% | $44,860 | $34,617 | $26,000 | 0.58x |
| 37 | [University of Michigan-Flint](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-michigan-flint) | Flint, MI | 42% | $53,230 | $7,007 | $25,000 | 0.47x |
| 38 | [Baker College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/baker-college) | Owosso, MI | 33% | $35,833 | $13,157 | $25,000 | 0.7x |
| 39 | [Grace Christian University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/grace-christian-university) | Wyoming, MI | 46% | $41,663 | $12,404 | $24,375 | 0.59x |
| 40 | [Rochester University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/rochester-university) | Rochester Hills, MI | 43% | $48,707 | $21,456 | $24,475 | 0.5x |
| 41 | [Cleary University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/cleary-university) | Howell, MI | 41% | $54,186 | $22,143 | $19,500 | 0.36x |
| 42 | [Hillsdale College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/hillsdale-college) | Hillsdale, MI | 87% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 43 | [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 |
| 44 | [Bay Mills Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bay-mills-community-college) | Brimley, MI | 30% | $30,048 | $3,073 | 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 Master's Programs in Michigan." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-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/.