Best colleges in Michigan
Every accredited four-year college ranked by the Compass Score: outcomes, entering students, cost and teaching, from federal data.
Best colleges in Michigan44 schools
44 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score. The top 25 are shown.
How this list is made
- Schools in Michigan.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- 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
- 2
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI · PublicHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A+
- Value grade A+ · Top 3%
- 93% graduate
- 3
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI · Public#3 in Michigan
- Value grade B+ · Top 26%
- 81% graduate
- 4
Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo, MI · Private nonprofit#4 in Michigan
- Value grade B+ · Top 34%
- 76% graduate
- 5
- 6
- 7Tie
Chamberlain University-Michigan
Troy, MI · Private for-profitTop 1% for graduation
- Value grade B · Top 38%
- 100% graduate
- 7Tie
- 9
Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI · PublicTop 9% for earnings
- Value grade A · Top 7%
- 68% graduate
- 10
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI · Private nonprofitTop 18% for graduation
- Value grade B+ · Top 32%
- 72% graduate
- 11
University of Detroit Mercy
Detroit, MI · Private nonprofitTop 14% for earnings
- Value grade A · Top 10%
- 67% graduate
- 12
Spring Arbor University
Spring Arbor, MI · Private nonprofit#12 in Michigan
- Value grade B-
- 64% graduate
- 13
- 14
University of Michigan-Dearborn
Dearborn, MI · PublicTop 14% for low net price
- Value grade A · Top 8%
- 58% graduate
- 15
- 16
Lake Superior State University
Sault Ste Marie, MI · PublicTop 25% for low net price
- Value grade B+ · Top 34%
- 51% graduate
- 17
College for Creative Studies
Detroit, MI · Private nonprofitTop 20% for graduation
- Value grade C+
- 71% graduate
- 18Tie
Northwestern Michigan College
Traverse City, MI · PublicTop 7% for low net price
- Value grade B+ · Top 21%
- 25% graduate
- 18Tie
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI · PublicTop 24% for low net price
- Value grade A- · Top 20%
- 58% graduate
- 20
Lawrence Technological University
Southfield, MI · Private nonprofitTop 15% for earnings
- Value grade C+
- 61% graduate
- 21
Alpena Community College
Alpena, MI · PublicTop 2% for low net price
- Value grade A- · Top 20%
- 52% graduate
- 22
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI · PublicTop 25% for graduation
- Value grade B · Top 36%
- 67% graduate
- 23
Aquinas College
Grand Rapids, MI · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- Value grade B · Top 45%
- 65% graduate
- 24
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI · PublicTop 12% for low net price
- Value grade A · Top 9%
- 58% graduate
- 25
Cornerstone University
Grand Rapids, MI · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- Value grade B-
- 62% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsdale College | — | — | — | 90% |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | About $13,000 | $19,500 | $83,648 | 93% |
| Michigan State University | About $20,000 | $23,250 | $67,253 | 81% |
| Kalamazoo College | About $19,000 | $26,077 | $65,590 | 76% |
| Hope College | About $27,000 | $26,800 | $58,427 | 80% |
| Calvin University | About $23,000 | $23,250 | $58,375 | 74% |
| Chamberlain University-Michigan | About $28,000 | $20,919 | $92,405 | 100% |
| Kettering University | About $35,000 | $27,000 | $94,823 | 71% |
| Michigan Technological University | About $14,000 | $24,990 | $78,198 | 68% |
| Andrews University | About $13,000 | $26,000 | $53,187 | 72% |
| University of Detroit Mercy | About $15,000 | $23,250 | $71,030 | 67% |
| Spring Arbor University | About $19,000 | $26,375 | $51,732 | 64% |
| Alma College | About $21,000 | $27,000 | $54,742 | 63% |
| University of Michigan-Dearborn | About $9,000 | $22,500 | $59,649 | 58% |
| Northwood University | About $27,000 | $20,842 | $63,075 | 63% |
| Lake Superior State University | About $13,000 | $23,250 | $49,045 | 51% |
| College for Creative Studies | About $35,000 | $26,000 | $44,860 | 71% |
| Northwestern Michigan College | About $6,000 | $12,500 | $38,167 | 25% |
| Wayne State University | About $13,000 | $21,250 | $53,493 | 58% |
| Lawrence Technological University | About $33,000 | $27,000 | $69,151 | 61% |
| Alpena Community College | About $3,000 | $9,024 | $36,442 | 52% |
| Grand Valley State University | About $16,000 | $24,500 | $56,118 | 67% |
| Aquinas College | About $17,000 | $23,000 | $49,584 | 65% |
| Oakland University | About $9,000 | $22,750 | $58,612 | 58% |
| Cornerstone University | About $20,000 | $25,000 | $47,314 | 62% |
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 26
- Alaska 5
- Arizona 16
- Arkansas 23
- California 128
- Colorado 26
- Connecticut 26
- Delaware 4
- District of Columbia 9
- Florida 61
- Georgia 60
- Hawaii 6
- Idaho 9
- Illinois 57
- Indiana 45
- Iowa 30
- Kansas 27
- Kentucky 29
- Louisiana 24
- Maine 19
- Maryland 26
- Massachusetts 67
- Minnesota 40
- Mississippi 16
- Missouri 53
- Montana 10
- Nebraska 19
- Nevada 6
- New Hampshire 13
- New Jersey 36
- New Mexico 11
- New York 135
- North Carolina 55
- North Dakota 9
- Ohio 99
- Oklahoma 23
- Oregon 21
- Pennsylvania 118
- Puerto Rico 52
- Rhode Island 11
- South Carolina 35
- South Dakota 11
- Tennessee 43
- Texas 85
- Utah 16
- Vermont 9
- Virginia 51
- Washington 24
- West Virginia 19
- Wisconsin 36
- Wyoming 3