Most selective colleges in Michigan
Colleges that admit the smallest share of applicants.
Most selective colleges in Michigan21 schools
21 schools qualify, ranked by admission rate.
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 an admission rate from federal data (College Scorecard). Average SAT scores are shown where the college reports them.
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by admission rate, lowest first. Selectivity measures demand for places, not the quality of teaching.
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+
- Admits 16%
- Average SAT 1465
- 2
Hillsdale College
Hillsdale, MI · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#1 in Michigan
- Admits 21%
- Average SAT 1415
- 3
University of Michigan-Dearborn
Dearborn, MI · PublicTop 14% for low net price
- Admits 56%
- Average SAT 1115
- 4
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- 6
- 7
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- 9
University of Detroit Mercy
Detroit, MI · Private nonprofitTop 14% for earnings
- Admits 75%
- Average SAT 1134
- 10
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- 14
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI · Private nonprofitTop 18% for graduation
- Admits 82%
- Average SAT 1150
- 15
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Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | $13,138 | $19,500 | $83,648 | 93% |
| Hillsdale College | — | — | — | 90% |
| University of Michigan-Dearborn | $9,492 | $22,500 | $59,649 | 58% |
| Lawrence Technological University | $32,918 | $27,000 | $69,151 | 61% |
| Alma College | $20,694 | $27,000 | $54,742 | 63% |
| Northwood University | $27,232 | $20,842 | $63,075 | 63% |
| Calvin University | $22,992 | $23,250 | $58,375 | 74% |
| Kalamazoo College | $19,072 | $26,077 | $65,590 | 76% |
| University of Detroit Mercy | $15,232 | $23,250 | $71,030 | 67% |
| Kettering University | $34,660 | $27,000 | $94,823 | 71% |
| Hope College | $27,182 | $26,800 | $58,427 | 80% |
| Albion College | $14,301 | $27,000 | $58,799 | 62% |
| Wayne State University | $12,766 | $21,250 | $53,493 | 58% |
| Andrews University | $12,547 | $26,000 | $53,187 | 72% |
| Grand Valley State University | $16,317 | $24,500 | $56,118 | 67% |
| Western Michigan University | $15,273 | $26,188 | $53,562 | 58% |
| Michigan State University | $19,680 | $23,250 | $67,253 | 81% |
| Chamberlain University-Michigan | $28,045 | $20,919 | $92,405 | 100% |
| Aquinas College | $16,626 | $23,000 | $49,584 | 65% |
| College for Creative Studies | $34,617 | $26,000 | $44,860 | 71% |
| Michigan Technological University | $14,182 | $24,990 | $78,198 | 68% |
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 57
- Colorado 7
- Connecticut 13
- District of Columbia 5
- Florida 20
- Georgia 9
- Idaho 3
- Illinois 21
- Indiana 21
- Iowa 16
- Kansas 3
- Kentucky 7
- Louisiana 3
- Maine 9
- Maryland 16
- Massachusetts 46
- Minnesota 19
- Missouri 19
- Nebraska 8
- New Hampshire 5
- New Jersey 17
- New York 79
- North Carolina 18
- Ohio 32
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 11
- Pennsylvania 60
- Rhode Island 9
- South Carolina 9
- Tennessee 10
- Texas 17
- Utah 4
- Vermont 6
- Virginia 22
- Washington 12
- Wisconsin 15