Best colleges for NCAA Division I athletes in Michigan
Colleges that compete in NCAA Division I athletics, ranked by Compass Score.
Best colleges for NCAA Division I athletes in Michigan7 schools
7 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in Michigan.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Competes in NCAA Division I (the school's athletics association, from federal and association data).
- 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+
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 93% graduate
- 2
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI · Public#3 in Michigan
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 81% graduate
- 3
University of Detroit Mercy
Detroit, MI · Private nonprofitTop 14% for earnings
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 67% graduate
- 4
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI · PublicTop 12% for low net price
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 58% graduate
- 5
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI · PublicGood: Compass grade B
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 58% graduate
- 6
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI · PublicGood: Compass grade B
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 59% graduate
- 7
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI · PublicSolid: Compass grade C+
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 46% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | About $13,000 | $19,500 | $83,648 | 93% |
| Michigan State University | About $20,000 | $23,250 | $67,253 | 81% |
| University of Detroit Mercy | About $15,000 | $23,250 | $71,030 | 67% |
| Oakland University | About $9,000 | $22,750 | $58,612 | 58% |
| Western Michigan University | About $15,000 | $26,188 | $53,562 | 58% |
| Central Michigan University | About $18,000 | $27,000 | $55,874 | 59% |
| Eastern Michigan University | About $15,000 | $25,000 | $51,793 | 46% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.
This list in other states
- Alabama 10
- Arizona 5
- Arkansas 5
- California 26
- Colorado 5
- Connecticut 6
- District of Columbia 4
- Florida 14
- Georgia 6
- Idaho 3
- Illinois 13
- Indiana 11
- Iowa 4
- Kansas 3
- Kentucky 8
- Louisiana 12
- Maryland 9
- Massachusetts 9
- Mississippi 6
- Missouri 6
- Nebraska 3
- New Jersey 8
- New York 23
- North Carolina 19
- Ohio 13
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 4
- Pennsylvania 15
- Rhode Island 4
- South Carolina 12
- Tennessee 12
- Texas 26
- Utah 7
- Virginia 14
- Washington 5
- Wisconsin 4