Colleges where the most freshmen return in Michigan
Colleges ranked by first-year retention: the share of full-time freshmen who come back for a second year.
Colleges where the most freshmen return in Michigan21 schools
21 schools qualify, ranked by first-year retention.
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).
- Has a first-year retention rate from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by retention rate, highest first.
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+
- 97% of freshmen return
- 93% graduate
- 2
Hillsdale College
Hillsdale, MI · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#1 in Michigan
- 97% of freshmen return
- 90% graduate
- 3
Kettering University
Flint, MI · Private nonprofitTop 3% for earnings
- 94% of freshmen return
- 71% graduate
- 4
- 5
Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI · PublicTop 9% for earnings
- 89% of freshmen return
- 68% graduate
- 6
- 7
Calvin University
Grand Rapids, MI · Private nonprofit#6 in Michigan
- 87% of freshmen return
- 74% graduate
- 8
- 9
- 10
University of Detroit Mercy
Detroit, MI · Private nonprofitTop 14% for earnings
- 83% of freshmen return
- 67% graduate
- 11
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI · Private nonprofitTop 18% for graduation
- 83% of freshmen return
- 72% graduate
- 12
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI · PublicTop 24% for low net price
- 83% of freshmen return
- 58% graduate
- 13
University of Michigan-Dearborn
Dearborn, MI · PublicTop 14% for low net price
- 82% of freshmen return
- 58% graduate
- 14
College for Creative Studies
Detroit, MI · Private nonprofitTop 20% for graduation
- 82% of freshmen return
- 71% graduate
- 15
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI · PublicGood: Compass grade B
- 81% of freshmen return
- 58% graduate
- 16
Northwood University
Midland, MI · Private nonprofitTop 23% for earnings
- 79% of freshmen return
- 63% graduate
- 17
Lawrence Technological University
Southfield, MI · Private nonprofitTop 15% for earnings
- 78% of freshmen return
- 61% graduate
- 18
Aquinas College
Grand Rapids, MI · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- 78% of freshmen return
- 65% graduate
- 19
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI · PublicTop 25% for graduation
- 76% of freshmen return
- 67% graduate
- 20
- 21
Chamberlain University-Michigan
Troy, MI · Private for-profitTop 1% for graduation
- 60% of freshmen return
- 100% 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% |
| Hillsdale College | — | — | — | 90% |
| Kettering University | About $35,000 | $27,000 | $94,823 | 71% |
| Michigan State University | About $20,000 | $23,250 | $67,253 | 81% |
| Michigan Technological University | About $14,000 | $24,990 | $78,198 | 68% |
| Hope College | About $27,000 | $26,800 | $58,427 | 80% |
| Calvin University | About $23,000 | $23,250 | $58,375 | 74% |
| Alma College | About $21,000 | $27,000 | $54,742 | 63% |
| Kalamazoo College | About $19,000 | $26,077 | $65,590 | 76% |
| University of Detroit Mercy | About $15,000 | $23,250 | $71,030 | 67% |
| Andrews University | About $13,000 | $26,000 | $53,187 | 72% |
| Wayne State University | About $13,000 | $21,250 | $53,493 | 58% |
| University of Michigan-Dearborn | About $9,000 | $22,500 | $59,649 | 58% |
| College for Creative Studies | About $35,000 | $26,000 | $44,860 | 71% |
| Western Michigan University | About $15,000 | $26,188 | $53,562 | 58% |
| Northwood University | About $27,000 | $20,842 | $63,075 | 63% |
| Lawrence Technological University | About $33,000 | $27,000 | $69,151 | 61% |
| Aquinas College | About $17,000 | $23,000 | $49,584 | 65% |
| Grand Valley State University | About $16,000 | $24,500 | $56,118 | 67% |
| Albion College | About $14,000 | $27,000 | $58,799 | 62% |
| Chamberlain University-Michigan | About $28,000 | $20,919 | $92,405 | 100% |
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 4
- Arkansas 5
- California 63
- Colorado 7
- Connecticut 14
- District of Columbia 5
- Florida 21
- Georgia 9
- Idaho 3
- Illinois 21
- Indiana 21
- Iowa 15
- Kansas 4
- Kentucky 7
- Louisiana 3
- Maine 8
- Maryland 16
- Massachusetts 46
- Minnesota 19
- Missouri 18
- Nebraska 8
- New Hampshire 5
- New Jersey 17
- New York 80
- North Carolina 17
- Ohio 31
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 11
- Pennsylvania 62
- Rhode Island 9
- South Carolina 10
- Tennessee 10
- Texas 20
- Utah 4
- Vermont 6
- Virginia 20
- Washington 13
- Wisconsin 15