Most affordable colleges with strong academics in Michigan
The lowest net prices among colleges with an Academic Excellence grade of B or better.
Most affordable colleges with strong academics in Michigan20 schools
20 schools qualify, ranked by net price.
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 net price from federal data (the average yearly cost after grants, College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by net price, lowest first.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
University of Michigan-Dearborn
Dearborn, MI · PublicTop 14% for low net price
- Net price $9,492 a year
- 58% graduate
- 2
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI · Private nonprofitTop 18% for graduation
- Net price $12,547 a year
- 72% graduate
- 3
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI · PublicTop 24% for low net price
- Net price $12,766 a year
- 58% graduate
- 4
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI · PublicHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A+
- Net price $13,138 a year
- 93% graduate
- 5
Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI · PublicTop 9% for earnings
- Net price $14,182 a year
- 68% graduate
- 6
Albion College
Albion, MI · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- Net price $14,301 a year
- 62% graduate
- 7
University of Detroit Mercy
Detroit, MI · Private nonprofitTop 14% for earnings
- Net price $15,232 a year
- 67% graduate
- 8
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI · PublicGood: Compass grade B
- Net price $15,273 a year
- 58% graduate
- 9
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI · PublicTop 25% for graduation
- Net price $16,317 a year
- 67% graduate
- 10
Aquinas College
Grand Rapids, MI · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- Net price $16,626 a year
- 65% graduate
- 11
Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo, MI · Private nonprofit#4 in Michigan
- Net price $19,072 a year
- 76% graduate
- 12
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI · Public#3 in Michigan
- Net price $19,680 a year
- 81% graduate
- 13
- 14
Calvin University
Grand Rapids, MI · Private nonprofit#6 in Michigan
- Net price $22,992 a year
- 74% graduate
- 15
- 16
Northwood University
Midland, MI · Private nonprofitTop 23% for earnings
- Net price $27,232 a year
- 63% graduate
- 17
Chamberlain University-Michigan
Troy, MI · Private for-profitTop 1% for graduation
- Net price $28,045 a year
- 100% graduate
- 18
Lawrence Technological University
Southfield, MI · Private nonprofitTop 15% for earnings
- Net price $32,918 a year
- 61% graduate
- 19
College for Creative Studies
Detroit, MI · Private nonprofitTop 20% for graduation
- Net price $34,617 a year
- 71% graduate
- 20
Kettering University
Flint, MI · Private nonprofitTop 3% for earnings
- Net price $34,660 a year
- 71% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Michigan-Dearborn | $9,492 | $22,500 | $59,649 | 58% |
| Andrews University | $12,547 | $26,000 | $53,187 | 72% |
| Wayne State University | $12,766 | $21,250 | $53,493 | 58% |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | $13,138 | $19,500 | $83,648 | 93% |
| Michigan Technological University | $14,182 | $24,990 | $78,198 | 68% |
| Albion College | $14,301 | $27,000 | $58,799 | 62% |
| University of Detroit Mercy | $15,232 | $23,250 | $71,030 | 67% |
| Western Michigan University | $15,273 | $26,188 | $53,562 | 58% |
| Grand Valley State University | $16,317 | $24,500 | $56,118 | 67% |
| Aquinas College | $16,626 | $23,000 | $49,584 | 65% |
| Kalamazoo College | $19,072 | $26,077 | $65,590 | 76% |
| Michigan State University | $19,680 | $23,250 | $67,253 | 81% |
| Alma College | $20,694 | $27,000 | $54,742 | 63% |
| Calvin University | $22,992 | $23,250 | $58,375 | 74% |
| Hope College | $27,182 | $26,800 | $58,427 | 80% |
| Northwood University | $27,232 | $20,842 | $63,075 | 63% |
| Chamberlain University-Michigan | $28,045 | $20,919 | $92,405 | 100% |
| Lawrence Technological University | $32,918 | $27,000 | $69,151 | 61% |
| College for Creative Studies | $34,617 | $26,000 | $44,860 | 71% |
| Kettering University | $34,660 | $27,000 | $94,823 | 71% |
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 6
- Connecticut 13
- District of Columbia 5
- Florida 21
- Georgia 9
- Illinois 21
- Indiana 21
- Iowa 16
- Kansas 4
- Kentucky 7
- Louisiana 3
- Maine 9
- Maryland 15
- Massachusetts 47
- Minnesota 19
- Missouri 18
- Nebraska 8
- New Hampshire 5
- New Jersey 17
- New York 79
- North Carolina 17
- Ohio 33
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 11
- Pennsylvania 60
- Rhode Island 9
- South Carolina 10
- Tennessee 10
- Texas 20
- Utah 4
- Vermont 6
- Virginia 20
- Washington 13
- Wisconsin 15