Best colleges under $20,000 a year in Michigan
The highest-rated colleges whose average yearly price after grants is under $20,000.
Best colleges under $20,000 a year in Michigan12 schools
12 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in Michigan.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Academic Excellence grade B+ or better (the top 35% of rated colleges).
- Net price (average yearly cost after grants) under $20,000 from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI · PublicHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A+
- Net price $13,138 a year
- 93% graduate
- 2
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI · Public#3 in Michigan
- Net price $19,680 a year
- 81% graduate
- 3
Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo, MI · Private nonprofit#4 in Michigan
- Net price $19,072 a year
- 76% graduate
- 4
Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI · PublicTop 9% for earnings
- Net price $14,182 a year
- 68% graduate
- 5
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI · Private nonprofitTop 18% for graduation
- Net price $12,547 a year
- 72% graduate
- 6
University of Detroit Mercy
Detroit, MI · Private nonprofitTop 14% for earnings
- Net price $15,232 a year
- 67% graduate
- 7
University of Michigan-Dearborn
Dearborn, MI · PublicTop 14% for low net price
- Net price $9,492 a year
- 58% graduate
- 8
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI · PublicTop 24% for low net price
- Net price $12,766 a year
- 58% graduate
- 9
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI · PublicTop 25% for graduation
- Net price $16,317 a year
- 67% graduate
- 10
Aquinas College
Grand Rapids, MI · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- Net price $16,626 a year
- 65% graduate
- 11
Albion College
Albion, MI · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- Net price $14,301 a year
- 62% graduate
- 12
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI · PublicGood: Compass grade B
- Net price $15,273 a year
- 58% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | $13,138 | $19,500 | $83,648 | 93% |
| Michigan State University | $19,680 | $23,250 | $67,253 | 81% |
| Kalamazoo College | $19,072 | $26,077 | $65,590 | 76% |
| Michigan Technological University | $14,182 | $24,990 | $78,198 | 68% |
| Andrews University | $12,547 | $26,000 | $53,187 | 72% |
| University of Detroit Mercy | $15,232 | $23,250 | $71,030 | 67% |
| University of Michigan-Dearborn | $9,492 | $22,500 | $59,649 | 58% |
| Wayne State University | $12,766 | $21,250 | $53,493 | 58% |
| Grand Valley State University | $16,317 | $24,500 | $56,118 | 67% |
| Aquinas College | $16,626 | $23,000 | $49,584 | 65% |
| Albion College | $14,301 | $27,000 | $58,799 | 62% |
| Western Michigan University | $15,273 | $26,188 | $53,562 | 58% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.