Best Colleges in Michigan by ROI
Trying to find the best value in Michigan? We ranked all 42 colleges we track here on what graduates actually earn versus what families actually pay, using U.S. Department of Education data. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor comes out on top at 95/100 - here's how every school compares.
We scored all 42 Michigan colleges in our dataset from 0 to 100 on one thing: financial return. The state averages 53/100, on an average net price of $18,442 a year after grants and scholarships. The school that does best by your money is University of Michigan-Ann Arbor at 95/100.
Graduates of Kettering University earn the most ten years out of any school in the state, a median $94,823. The lightest price tag belongs to University of Michigan-Flint at $7,007 a year. The list below ranks every Michigan college we scored by ROI, so you can weigh what you'd pay against what you'd likely earn.
Top 10 Michigan Colleges by ROI Score
- 1University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn Arbor, MI · PublicNet price$13,138/yrMedian earnings$83,64895ROI
- 2Michigan Technological UniversityHoughton, MI · PublicNet price$14,182/yrMedian earnings$78,19889ROI
- 3Kettering UniversityFlint, MI · Private NonprofitNet price$34,660/yrMedian earnings$94,82388ROI
- 4Chamberlain University-MichiganTroy, MI · Private For-ProfitNet price$28,045/yrMedian earnings$92,40588ROI
- 5University of Detroit MercyDetroit, MI · Private NonprofitNet price$15,232/yrMedian earnings$71,03084ROI
- 6Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing, MI · PublicNet price$19,680/yrMedian earnings$67,25379ROI
- 7Kalamazoo CollegeKalamazoo, MI · Private NonprofitNet price$19,072/yrMedian earnings$65,59074ROI
- 8University of Michigan-DearbornDearborn, MI · PublicNet price$9,492/yrMedian earnings$59,64972ROI
- 9Oakland UniversityRochester Hills, MI · PublicNet price$9,120/yrMedian earnings$58,61271ROI
- 10Ferris State UniversityBig Rapids, MI · PublicNet price$8,624/yrMedian earnings$54,73568ROI
Michigan College ROI: Common Questions
What is the best-value college in Michigan?
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor has the highest ROI score in Michigan at 95/100, while the lowest net price among Michigan schools we track is $7,007/year at University of Michigan-Flint. Rankings are based on net price and median graduate earnings from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
How much does college cost in Michigan?
The average net price across the 42 Michigan colleges in our dataset is $18,442 per year, after grants and scholarships are applied. Actual cost varies widely by family income and institution.
Which Michigan college has the highest graduate earnings?
Kettering University reports the highest median earnings among Michigan schools we scored, at $94,823 ten years after enrollment. Higher earnings do not always mean better ROI, since cost matters just as much.
How many colleges in Michigan did CampusROI analyze?
We scored 42 colleges in Michigan on return on investment. Of those, 17 earn an ROI score of 60 or higher. See our methodology for how each score is calculated.
All Michigan Schools by ROI Score
42 schools
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI
Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI
Kettering University
Flint, MI
Chamberlain University-Michigan
Troy, MI
University of Detroit Mercy
Detroit, MI
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo, MI
University of Michigan-Dearborn
Dearborn, MI
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI
Albion College
Albion, MI
Calvin University
Grand Rapids, MI
Lawrence Technological University
Southfield, MI
Northwood University
Midland, MI
Madonna University
Livonia, MI
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI
Siena Heights University
Adrian, MI
Hope College
Holland, MI
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI
University of Michigan-Flint
Flint, MI
Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI
Alma College
Alma, MI
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI
Cleary University
Howell, MI
Lake Superior State University
Sault Ste Marie, MI
Spring Arbor University
Spring Arbor, MI
Aquinas College
Grand Rapids, MI
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI
Northern Michigan University
Marquette, MI
Adrian College
Adrian, MI
Concordia University Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI
Cornerstone University
Grand Rapids, MI
College for Creative Studies
Detroit, MI
Rochester University
Rochester Hills, MI
Davenport University
Grand Rapids, MI
Kuyper College
Grand Rapids, MI
Grace Christian University
Wyoming, MI
The University of Olivet
Olivet, MI
Great Lakes Christian College
Lansing, MI
Baker College
Owosso, MI
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release