# Most Affordable Colleges in Michigan

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

## Methodology

Ranked by lowest net price 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 it comes to choosing a college in Michigan, affordability is a top concern for many students and families. With the average net price hovering around $3,000 for the schools on this list, these institutions are designed to make higher education accessible without overwhelming debt.

The schools here stand out based on a few key factors: earnings after graduation, graduation rates, and debt levels. This data helps paint a picture of not just affordability but also the potential return on investment. As you explore the rankings below, consider how each school balances these metrics to inform your decision.

For instance, West Shore Community College offers a low net price of $1,527, but it has a graduation rate of just 29%. In contrast, Alpena Community College has a slightly higher net price of $3,320 but boasts a graduation rate of 51%. This tradeoff highlights the importance of examining multiple factors beyond just cost when making a choice about your education.

## Key Findings

- West Shore Community College has the lowest net price at $1,527.
- Alpena Community College has a graduation rate of 51%, the highest among the top five.
- Macomb Community College offers average earnings post-graduation of $41,596.
- Washtenaw Community College has a debt level of $13,310, which is notably higher than others on the list.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Macomb Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/macomb-community-college) | Warren, MI | 17% | $41,596 | $1,618 | $6,000 | 0.14x |
| 2 | [West Shore Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/west-shore-community-college) | Scottville, MI | 29% | $36,115 | $1,527 | $9,089 | 0.25x |
| 3 | [Kalamazoo Valley Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/kalamazoo-valley-community-college) | Kalamazoo, MI | 25% | $38,618 | $2,979 | $9,699 | 0.25x |
| 4 | [Washtenaw Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/washtenaw-community-college) | Ann Arbor, MI | 31% | $39,449 | $3,249 | $13,310 | 0.34x |
| 5 | [Alpena Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/alpena-community-college) | Alpena, MI | 51% | $36,442 | $3,320 | $9,024 | 0.25x |
| 6 | [Muskegon Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/muskegon-community-college) | Muskegon, MI | 30% | $36,549 | $4,005 | $9,125 | 0.25x |
| 7 | [Delta College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/delta-college) | University Center, MI | 21% | $37,781 | $4,547 | $10,978 | 0.29x |
| 8 | [Monroe County Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/monroe-county-community-college) | Monroe, MI | 33% | $41,646 | $4,586 | $12,296 | 0.3x |
| 9 | [Kellogg Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/kellogg-community-college) | Battle Creek, MI | 28% | $38,329 | $4,858 | $17,000 | 0.44x |
| 10 | [Lansing Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lansing-community-college) | Lansing, MI | 24% | $39,206 | $5,437 | $12,700 | 0.32x |
| 11 | [Gogebic Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/gogebic-community-college) | Ironwood, MI | 34% | $40,950 | $5,397 | $10,925 | 0.27x |
| 12 | [Oakland Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/oakland-community-college) | Auburn Hills, MI | 19% | $37,395 | $5,777 | $9,105 | 0.24x |
| 13 | [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 |
| 14 | [Schoolcraft Community College District](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/schoolcraft-community-college-district) | Livonia, MI | 17% | $42,722 | $2,260 | $10,500 | 0.25x |
| 15 | [Southwestern Michigan College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southwestern-michigan-college) | Dowagiac, MI | 32% | $37,303 | $5,978 | $10,959 | 0.29x |
| 16 | [University of Michigan-Flint](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-michigan-flint) | Flint, MI | 42% | $53,230 | $7,007 | $25,000 | 0.47x |
| 17 | [Northwestern Michigan College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northwestern-michigan-college) | Traverse City, MI | 25% | $38,167 | $6,231 | $12,500 | 0.33x |
| 18 | [Oakland University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/oakland-university) | Rochester Hills, MI | 57% | $58,612 | $9,120 | $22,750 | 0.39x |
| 19 | [Ferris State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/ferris-state-university) | Big Rapids, MI | 47% | $54,735 | $8,624 | $21,000 | 0.38x |
| 20 | [Lake Michigan College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lake-michigan-college) | Benton Harbor, MI | 22% | $34,466 | $6,680 | $9,000 | 0.26x |
| 21 | [Mott Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mott-community-college) | Flint, MI | 26% | $32,538 | $5,687 | $13,000 | 0.4x |
| 22 | [Montcalm Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/montcalm-community-college) | Sidney, MI | 29% | $35,499 | $7,280 | $16,500 | 0.46x |
| 23 | [Wayne County Community College District](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/wayne-county-community-college-district) | Detroit, MI | 23% | $29,079 | $7,656 | $12,062 | 0.41x |
| 24 | [Kirtland Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/kirtland-community-college) | Grayling, MI | 30% | $35,831 | $7,456 | $13,067 | 0.36x |
| 25 | [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 |
| 26 | [University of Michigan-Dearborn](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-michigan-dearborn) | Dearborn, MI | 57% | $59,649 | $9,492 | $22,500 | 0.38x |
| 27 | [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 |
| 28 | [Jackson College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/jackson-college) | Jackson, MI | 17% | $36,898 | $7,761 | $13,875 | 0.38x |
| 29 | [Mid Michigan College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mid-michigan-college) | Harrison, MI | 23% | $37,319 | $8,370 | $13,750 | 0.37x |
| 30 | [Glen Oaks Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/glen-oaks-community-college) | Centreville, MI | 40% | $37,540 | $8,918 | $10,794 | 0.29x |
| 31 | [North Central Michigan College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/north-central-michigan-college) | Petoskey, MI | 27% | $36,594 | $10,083 | $14,000 | 0.38x |
| 32 | [Bay Mills Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bay-mills-community-college) | Brimley, MI | 30% | $30,048 | $3,073 | N/A | N/A |
| 33 | [Wayne State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/wayne-state-university) | Detroit, MI | 58% | $53,493 | $12,766 | $21,250 | 0.4x |
| 34 | [Andrews University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/andrews-university) | Berrien Springs, MI | 69% | $53,187 | $12,547 | $26,000 | 0.49x |
| 35 | [Baker College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/baker-college) | Owosso, MI | 33% | $35,833 | $13,157 | $25,000 | 0.7x |
| 36 | [Michigan Technological University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/michigan-technological-university) | Houghton, MI | 68% | $78,198 | $14,182 | $24,990 | 0.32x |
| 37 | [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 |
| 38 | [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 |
| 39 | [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 |
| 40 | [Grace Christian University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/grace-christian-university) | Wyoming, MI | 46% | $41,663 | $12,404 | $24,375 | 0.59x |
| 41 | [Northern Michigan University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northern-michigan-university) | Marquette, MI | 52% | $47,107 | $14,085 | $21,474 | 0.46x |
| 42 | [Western Michigan University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/western-michigan-university) | Kalamazoo, MI | 58% | $53,562 | $15,273 | $26,188 | 0.49x |
| 43 | [Eastern Michigan University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/eastern-michigan-university) | Ypsilanti, MI | 46% | $51,793 | $15,407 | $25,000 | 0.48x |
| 44 | [University of Detroit Mercy](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-detroit-mercy) | Detroit, MI | 68% | $71,030 | $15,232 | $23,250 | 0.33x |
| 45 | [Albion College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/albion-college) | Albion, MI | 59% | $58,799 | $14,301 | $27,000 | 0.46x |
| 46 | [Grand Valley State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/grand-valley-state-university) | Allendale, MI | 68% | $56,118 | $16,317 | $24,500 | 0.44x |
| 47 | [Aquinas College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/aquinas-college) | Grand Rapids, MI | 64% | $49,584 | $16,626 | $23,000 | 0.46x |
| 48 | [Siena Heights University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/siena-heights-university) | Adrian, MI | 45% | $57,529 | $17,124 | $18,750 | 0.33x |
| 49 | [Central Michigan University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/central-michigan-university) | Mount Pleasant, MI | 60% | $55,874 | $17,597 | $27,000 | 0.48x |
| 50 | [Madonna University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/madonna-university) | Livonia, MI | 59% | $59,058 | $17,755 | $23,000 | 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. "Most Affordable Colleges in Michigan." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-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/.