Rankings / By State
Best Nursing Colleges in Michigan
- 50
- Schools
- $46,816
- Avg. Earnings
- 44%
- Avg. Graduation
- $10,878
- Avg. Net Price
- $17,871
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 50 schools run from $29,079 to $83,648, a 2.9× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Macomb Community College delivers the most for the money: roughly $41,596 in median earnings against $1,618 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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West Shore Community College is the lowest-cost school here at $1,527 a year in net price.
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University of Michigan-Ann Arbor graduates 93% of its students, versus a 44% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Macomb Community College carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.14× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 Oakland University ($58,612 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ($83,648), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- West Shore Community College costs $1,527 a year and Hope College costs $27,182. Yet their graduates earn $36,115 and $58,427, nowhere near the $25,655 price gap.
- On value, Macomb Community College beats University of Michigan-Ann Arbor: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with Macomb Community College and University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
Why this ranking matters
Healthcare is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $45K within a decade, and registered nurse roles are projected to grow 6%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Oakland University #1 overall | $58,612 ▲ +25% vs avg | $9,120 | 57% | 81 |
| 2 Muskegon Community College #2 overall | $36,549 ▼ -22% vs avg | $4,005 | 30% | 79 |
| 3 University of Detroit Mercy #3 overall | $71,030 ▲ +52% vs avg | $15,232 | 68% | 79 |
| $57,529 ▲ +23% vs avg | $17,124 | 45% | 79 | |
| $36,115 ▼ -23% vs avg | $1,527 | 29% | 78 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Nursing Colleges in Michigan
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $46,816 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 44% and an average net price of $10,878.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Macomb Community College — Net Price: $1,618 | Graduation Rate: 17%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: University of Michigan-Ann Arbor — 93% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: University of Michigan-Ann Arbor — Median alumni earnings: $83,648
CollegeRanker Primary Research
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Healthcare Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the U.S. healthcare workforce?
$43,911
Median earnings (10yr)
44%
Median graduation rate
$9,306
Median net price
1.1%
Avg. mobility rate
Few sectors of the economy depend more directly on what colleges produce than healthcare. Chronic shortages across nursing and allied health have made workforce training a bottleneck for the entire system. Schools rise on this list by combining rigorous instruction with clinical placements and high licensure pass rates, the bridge between enrolling and actually practicing.
The median graduation rate across these 50 schools is 44%. Median graduate earnings reach $43,911 ten years after enrollment. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $9,306 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $19,125. Some 30% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 1.1%.
What we’re seeing: demographic pressure keeps demand high, and programs with embedded clinical networks convert that demand into employment fastest. Oakland University leads the list, and graduates across these programs earn a median of $43,911 ten years after enrollment. The constraint is not jobs. It is clinical capacity and licensure throughput, and that is where the strongest programs pull away.
The podium
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Oakland University lands at #1 with a 81/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $58,612 a decade after enrolling, 25% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,120 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Muskegon Community College lands at #2 with a 79/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $36,549 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,005 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
University of Detroit Mercy lands at #3 with a 79/100 composite, led by academic quality (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $71,030 a decade after enrolling, 52% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,232 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Siena Heights University lands at #4 with a 79/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $57,529 a decade after enrolling, 23% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,124 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
West Shore Community College lands at #5 with a 78/100 composite, led by value per dollar (94/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $36,115 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $1,527 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Ferris State University lands at #6 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (62/100). Graduates earn a median $54,735 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $8,624 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Madonna University lands at #7 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $59,058 a decade after enrolling, 26% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,755 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Monroe County Community College lands at #8 with a 78/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $41,646 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,586 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Lansing Community College lands at #9 with a 77/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $39,206 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,437 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Andrews University lands at #10 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (63/100). Graduates earn a median $53,187 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,547 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Gogebic Community College lands at #11 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $40,950 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,397 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
St Clair County Community College lands at #12 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $40,177 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,571 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Baker College lands at #13 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (75/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $35,833 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,157 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
University Center, MI · 72% accepted · $10,775 net
Why it ranks #14
Saginaw Valley State University lands at #14 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $51,955 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,775 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Davenport University lands at #15 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $45,099 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,707 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Alpena Community College lands at #16 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $36,442 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,320 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Kellogg Community College lands at #17 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (42/100). Graduates earn a median $38,329 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,858 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Calvin University lands at #18 with a 74/100 composite, led by academic quality (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $58,375 a decade after enrolling, 25% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,992 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Eastern Michigan University lands at #19 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $51,793 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,407 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Grand Valley State University lands at #20 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $56,118 a decade after enrolling, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,317 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Lake Michigan College lands at #21 with a 73/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (61/100). Graduates earn a median $34,466 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,680 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Delta College lands at #22 with a 73/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $37,781 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,547 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Michigan State University lands at #23 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (65/100). Graduates earn a median $67,253 a decade after enrolling, 44% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,680 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Bay de Noc Community College lands at #24 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (77/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $35,090 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,949 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Spring Arbor University lands at #25 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $51,732 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,353 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Wayne State University lands at #26 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (72/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $53,493 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,766 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Macomb Community College lands at #27 with a 71/100 composite, led by value per dollar (94/100) and pulled down by academic quality (39/100). Graduates earn a median $41,596 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $1,618 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Western Michigan University lands at #28 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (62/100). Graduates earn a median $53,562 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,273 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
University of Michigan-Flint lands at #29 with a 71/100 composite, led by value per dollar (74/100) and pulled down by social mobility (49/100). Graduates earn a median $53,230 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $7,007 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Cornerstone University lands at #30 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $47,314 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,301 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Aquinas College lands at #31 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $49,584 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,626 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Lake Superior State University lands at #32 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (62/100). Graduates earn a median $49,045 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,822 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Kalamazoo Valley Community College lands at #33 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $38,618 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $2,979 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Oakland Community College lands at #34 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $37,395 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,777 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
Central Michigan University lands at #35 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $55,874 a decade after enrolling, 19% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,597 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
Northern Michigan University lands at #36 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (61/100). Graduates earn a median $47,107 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,085 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Montcalm Community College lands at #37 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $35,499 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,280 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
Southwestern Michigan College lands at #38 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $37,303 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,978 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor lands at #39 with a 69/100 composite, led by academic quality (92/100) and pulled down by social mobility (52/100). Graduates earn a median $83,648 a decade after enrolling, 79% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,138 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
Hope College lands at #40 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $58,427 a decade after enrolling, 25% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,182 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
Grand Rapids Community College lands at #41 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $38,377 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,621 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
North Central Michigan College lands at #42 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $36,594 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,083 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
Schoolcraft Community College District lands at #43 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (32/100). Graduates earn a median $42,722 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $2,260 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #44
University of Michigan-Dearborn lands at #44 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (71/100) and pulled down by social mobility (63/100). Graduates earn a median $59,649 a decade after enrolling, 27% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,492 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
Northwestern Michigan College lands at #45 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $38,167 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,231 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #46
Glen Oaks Community College lands at #46 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by social mobility (54/100). Graduates earn a median $37,540 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,918 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
Alma College lands at #47 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $54,742 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,694 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #48
Mid Michigan College lands at #48 with a 64/100 composite, led by value per dollar (77/100) and pulled down by social mobility (48/100). Graduates earn a median $37,319 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,370 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #49
Wayne County Community College District lands at #49 with a 64/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (36/100). Graduates earn a median $29,079 a decade after enrolling, 38% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,656 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #50
Kirtland Community College lands at #50 with a 62/100 composite, led by value per dollar (77/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $35,831 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,456 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Registered Nurses and related roles — a field with $86,070 median pay and 6% projected growth.
See the Registered Nurse career guide →Choosing the right nursing college in Michigan is a significant decision for aspiring healthcare professionals. With 50 schools to consider, students and their families need to weigh factors like earnings potential and graduation rates as they explore their options. Many of these programs share a commitment to preparing students for a vital role in the healthcare system.
What sets the top nursing programs apart is their focus on essential outcomes: how much graduates earn, the rate at which students complete their degrees, and the amount of debt they incur. The schools in this ranking reflect a range of performance in these areas, giving prospective students a clear way to evaluate their choices. Below, you'll find a list that highlights programs with strong earnings and graduation rates, alongside the associated costs.
For example, the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor stands out with an impressive average earnings figure of $83,648 and a graduation rate of 93%. In contrast, Muskegon Community College has lower earnings at $36,549 and a graduation rate of just 30%. This contrast illustrates the trade-offs students may face in choosing between different programs and highlights the importance of aligning educational goals with financial realities.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 43 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.1%. Wayne State University leads the group at 2.4%, with Andrews University (2.4%) and West Shore Community College (2%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 9.3% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Wayne County Community College District leads at 27.2%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 14.8% across this list. Michigan State University posts the highest success rate at 33.9%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.31 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Calvin University reaches 1.79, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
The data reveals a clear pattern: the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor leads in both earnings and graduation rates, with graduates making an average of $83,648 and a remarkable 93% completion rate. In comparison, Muskegon Community College lags significantly, with earnings of just $36,549 and a graduation rate of 30%. This stark difference underscores the impact of choosing a program with strong outcomes on future earnings and career stability.
After reviewing the 50 schools, it’s important to weigh this data against your personal priorities. Consider factors such as location, the specific nursing program fit, and your financial situation. For instance, if you value lower costs, Muskegon Community College may seem appealing with a net price of $4,005, but be mindful of the trade-off in potential earnings and support in completing the program. Your decision should reflect a balance between what you can afford and the educational quality you desire.
Ultimately, the data highlights the stakes involved in selecting a nursing program. A degree can lead to a stable, well-paying job, but it’s crucial to understand the associated costs and potential outcomes. Every family faces this decision, and the right choice can shape a secure future. By focusing on the numbers that matter, we can make informed decisions that align with our long-term goals.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Nursing Colleges in Michigan: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Nursing Colleges in Michigan ranking? +
Oakland University in Rochester Hills, MI ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Nursing Colleges in Michigan ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $58,612 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 57% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor posts the highest median earnings on this list: $83,648 ten years after enrollment, well above the $46,816 average across the 50 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Macomb Community College leads: graduates earn a median $41,596 against net price of about $1,618 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 93%, compared with a 44% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $10,878 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. West Shore Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $1,527. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Nursing Colleges in Michigan ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 50 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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