Best test-optional colleges in Michigan
Colleges that don't require the SAT or ACT for admission, ranked by Compass Score.
Best test-optional colleges in Michigan40 schools
40 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.
- Admission test policy: considered but not required, or neither required nor recommended (federal admissions 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
Hillsdale College
Hillsdale, MI · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#1 in Michigan
- SAT or ACT not required
- 90% graduate
- 2
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI · PublicHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A+
- SAT or ACT not required
- 93% graduate
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Calvin University
Grand Rapids, MI · Private nonprofit#6 in Michigan
- SAT or ACT not required
- 74% graduate
- 7Tie
Chamberlain University-Michigan
Troy, MI · Private for-profitTop 1% for graduation
- SAT or ACT not required
- 100% graduate
- 7Tie
Kettering University
Flint, MI · Private nonprofitTop 3% for earnings
- SAT or ACT not required
- 71% graduate
- 9
Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI · PublicTop 9% for earnings
- SAT or ACT not required
- 68% graduate
- 10
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI · Private nonprofitTop 18% for graduation
- SAT or ACT not required
- 72% graduate
- 11
University of Detroit Mercy
Detroit, MI · Private nonprofitTop 14% for earnings
- SAT or ACT not required
- 67% graduate
- 12
Spring Arbor University
Spring Arbor, MI · Private nonprofit#12 in Michigan
- SAT or ACT not required
- 64% graduate
- 13
- 14
University of Michigan-Dearborn
Dearborn, MI · PublicTop 14% for low net price
- SAT or ACT not required
- 58% graduate
- 15
Northwood University
Midland, MI · Private nonprofitTop 23% for earnings
- SAT or ACT not required
- 63% graduate
- 16
College for Creative Studies
Detroit, MI · Private nonprofitTop 20% for graduation
- SAT or ACT not required
- 71% graduate
- 17
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI · PublicTop 24% for low net price
- SAT or ACT not required
- 58% graduate
- 18
Lawrence Technological University
Southfield, MI · Private nonprofitTop 15% for earnings
- SAT or ACT not required
- 61% graduate
- 19
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI · PublicTop 25% for graduation
- SAT or ACT not required
- 67% graduate
- 20
Aquinas College
Grand Rapids, MI · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- SAT or ACT not required
- 65% graduate
- 21
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI · PublicTop 12% for low net price
- SAT or ACT not required
- 58% graduate
- 22
Cornerstone University
Grand Rapids, MI · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- SAT or ACT not required
- 62% graduate
- 23
Albion College
Albion, MI · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- SAT or ACT not required
- 62% graduate
- 24Tie
Madonna University
Livonia, MI · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- SAT or ACT not required
- 60% graduate
- 24Tie
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI · PublicGood: Compass grade B
- SAT or ACT not required
- 58% 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 | $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% |
| Hope College | $27,182 | $26,800 | $58,427 | 80% |
| Calvin University | $22,992 | $23,250 | $58,375 | 74% |
| Chamberlain University-Michigan | $28,045 | $20,919 | $92,405 | 100% |
| Kettering University | $34,660 | $27,000 | $94,823 | 71% |
| 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% |
| Spring Arbor University | $19,353 | $26,375 | $51,732 | 64% |
| Alma College | $20,694 | $27,000 | $54,742 | 63% |
| University of Michigan-Dearborn | $9,492 | $22,500 | $59,649 | 58% |
| Northwood University | $27,232 | $20,842 | $63,075 | 63% |
| College for Creative Studies | $34,617 | $26,000 | $44,860 | 71% |
| Wayne State University | $12,766 | $21,250 | $53,493 | 58% |
| Lawrence Technological University | $32,918 | $27,000 | $69,151 | 61% |
| Grand Valley State University | $16,317 | $24,500 | $56,118 | 67% |
| Aquinas College | $16,626 | $23,000 | $49,584 | 65% |
| Oakland University | $9,120 | $22,750 | $58,612 | 58% |
| Cornerstone University | $20,301 | $25,000 | $47,314 | 62% |
| Albion College | $14,301 | $27,000 | $58,799 | 62% |
| Madonna University | $17,755 | $23,000 | $59,058 | 60% |
| 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.
This list in other states
- Alabama 23
- Arizona 12
- Arkansas 10
- California 100
- Colorado 16
- Connecticut 18
- Delaware 3
- District of Columbia 5
- Florida 35
- Georgia 42
- Hawaii 5
- Idaho 6
- Illinois 56
- Indiana 40
- Iowa 29
- Kansas 24
- Kentucky 25
- Louisiana 21
- Maine 15
- Maryland 25
- Massachusetts 59
- Minnesota 35
- Mississippi 10
- Missouri 42
- Montana 7
- Nebraska 14
- Nevada 5
- New Hampshire 11
- New Jersey 33
- New Mexico 5
- New York 125
- North Carolina 54
- North Dakota 7
- Ohio 68
- Oklahoma 14
- Oregon 21
- Pennsylvania 113
- Puerto Rico 32
- Rhode Island 11
- South Carolina 30
- South Dakota 10
- Tennessee 28
- Texas 65
- Utah 8
- Vermont 9
- Virginia 43
- Washington 20
- West Virginia 13
- Wisconsin 34