Best large colleges in Michigan
Colleges with 10,000 or more undergraduates, ranked by Compass Score.
Best large colleges in Michigan8 schools
8 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in Michigan.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- 10,000 or more undergraduate students (federal enrollment).
- 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+
- 33,730 undergraduates
- 93% graduate
- 2
- 3
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI · PublicTop 24% for low net price
- 16,117 undergraduates
- 58% graduate
- 4
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI · PublicTop 25% for graduation
- 19,243 undergraduates
- 67% graduate
- 5
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI · PublicTop 12% for low net price
- 12,719 undergraduates
- 58% graduate
- 6
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI · PublicGood: Compass grade B
- 13,026 undergraduates
- 58% graduate
- 7
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI · PublicGood: Compass grade B
- 10,055 undergraduates
- 59% graduate
- 8
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI · PublicSolid: Compass grade C+
- 11,129 undergraduates
- 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% |
| Wayne State University | About $13,000 | $21,250 | $53,493 | 58% |
| Grand Valley State University | About $16,000 | $24,500 | $56,118 | 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 5
- Arizona 6
- California 29
- Colorado 6
- District of Columbia 3
- Florida 13
- Georgia 8
- Idaho 3
- Illinois 8
- Indiana 6
- Kansas 4
- Kentucky 4
- Louisiana 4
- Maryland 4
- Massachusetts 6
- Minnesota 3
- Mississippi 3
- Missouri 6
- Nebraska 3
- New Jersey 4
- New York 19
- North Carolina 9
- Ohio 9
- Oklahoma 3
- Oregon 3
- Pennsylvania 6
- South Carolina 4
- Tennessee 4
- Texas 19
- Utah 8
- Virginia 8
- Washington 3
- Wisconsin 3