12 Best Colleges in Michigan

Michigan is home to 93 different universities and colleges — from small-town colleges, to bustling city campuses, and renowned liberal arts schools. With so many options to choose from, there’s bound to be something for everybody in this beautiful state. 

Have a look at the top 12 colleges in Michigan to see which school best fits your academic dreams for the next semester and beyond. 

12 Best Colleges in Michigan

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

University of Michigan is a popular university situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It is a large public university that was founded in 1817, with an undergraduate enrollment of about 30,000 students and a large 3,200-acre campus. The University of Michigan’s student life is bustling, with over 1,500 student organizations to choose from. Freshmen are not required to live on campus, but there is guaranteed space for any who choose to take advantage of the university’s housing.

• Tuition and fees: $16,856
• Acceptance rate: 23%
• SAT scores: 1330-1510
• ACT scores: 30-34

Michigan State University

Michigan State University is a highly ranked research university located in a bustling college town in East Lansing, Michigan. It was founded in 1855 and has a large undergraduate enrollment of 39,400 students. A few of Michigan State University’s popular majors include advertising, communications, and logistics and supply chain management. In addition, the university offers online courses, and one bachelor’s online degree program.

• Tuition and fees: $16,227
• Acceptance rate: 78%
• SAT scores: 1110-1310
• ACT scores: 23-29

Michigan Technological University

Michigan Technological University is a smaller public institution, with a 925-acre campus, and an undergraduate enrollment of 5,828 students. The university is situated on the Keweenaw Peninsula of Lake Superior, in a small town called Houghton. With its 120 areas of study and 200 student organizations, students are highly involved and benefit from one-on-one research with their professors in preparation for the undergraduate university’s annual design expo. The expo, hosted by the College of Engineering and the Pavlis Honors College, highlights the students’ discoveries and innovation and gives them a chance to showcase their work and win awards. 

• Tuition and fees: $17,174
• Acceptance rate: 74%
• SAT scores: 1170-1360
• ACT scores: 24-30

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Hope College

Hope College is a small Christian liberal arts college located around five miles from Lake Michigan in Holland, Michigan. It was ranked #1 in Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Michigan by Niche Rankings. Hope College fields 22 NCAA Division III teams and is nationally accredited in art, music, dance, and theater. The college offers more than 90 academic majors and minors, and over 60 student organizations, with plenty of campus events.

• Tuition and fees: $27,812
• Acceptance rate: 76%
• SAT scores: 1110-1330
• ACT scores: 23-29

Calvin College

Calvin College is a private Christian college in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The college has an undergraduate enrollment of around 3,400 students, making it a fairly small institution. Some of its popular majors include engineering, business, and nursing. Calvin College offers courses with a mix of on-campus and online learning, though 97% of courses are offered on campus. The college does not offer Greek life, but students report feeling a sense of community in the school.

• Tuition and fees: $25,851
• Acceptance rate: 79%
• SAT scores: 1150-1370
• ACT scores: 24-30

Kalamazoo College

Kalamazoo College, otherwise known as K College, is a private college that was founded in 1833 in Southwest Michigan. The college offers over 25 liberal arts studies, and offers a unique program called Discover Externship Program which pairs freshman and sophomore students with alumni in the field of interest for two weeks of immersive practice and guidance. The campus has a good student life, with over 60 organizations, weekly stress-relieving activities on their Wind Down Wednesdays, and plenty of sports and events.

• Tuition and fees: $25,903
• Acceptance rate: 73%
• SAT scores: 1140-1370
• ACT scores: 24-31

Wayne State University

Wayne State University is a large public university located in Detroit, Michigan, with an undergraduate enrollment of 12,956 students. Some of its most popular majors include psychology, biology, and international business. Wayne State University additionally offers eight online bachelor’s degree programs, as well as courses with a mix of on-campus and online or distance learning platforms.

• Tuition and fees: $14,366
• Acceptance rate: 71%
• SAT scores: 1010-1210
• ACT scores: 21-27

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Albion College

Albion College is a small, private institution with an undergraduate enrollment of 1,500 students. Its 570-acre campus is located in the suburban setting of Albion, Michigan. Albion College was ranked #3 in the Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Michigan by Niche Rankings. Its most popular majors include psychology, communications, and biology. 

• Tuition and fees: $17,663
• Acceptance rate: 68%
• SAT scores: 1010-1240
• ACT scores: 20-26

University of Michigan, Dearborn

University of Michigan, Dearborn is a medium-sized institution with 5,238 undergraduates enrolled. A few of the university’s popular majors include psychology, mechanical engineering, and accounting, with over 60 additional areas of study to choose from. The university offers a few courses online, or courses with a mix of on-campus and online instruction. 

• Tuition and fees: $10,533
• Acceptance rate: 78%
• SAT scores: 1070-1290
• ACT scores: 23-30

University of Detroit Mercy

University of Detroit Mercy is a small, private Catholic institution with a 2,494 undergraduate student enrollment. Nursing, biology, and business are a few of the university’s popular majors. The university’s Leadership Development Institute and University Outreach project puts an emphasis on community outreach and service programs which give the students a chance to engage with their communities. The students can also choose from 50 various clubs and organizations on campus.

• Tuition and fees: $22,016
• Acceptance rate: 83%
• SAT scores: 1050-1250
• ACT scores: 21-27

Western Michigan University

Western Michigan University is a large public institution with 17,000 undergraduate enrollments. Its 1,200-acre campus is located in the city of Kalamazoo (halfway between Chicago and Detroit). The university offers over 140 different undergraduate and master’s programs, and is well known for their Haworth College of Business, College of Engineering and Applied Science, and their College of Education and Human Development. The university also offers over 300 student organizations and 30 different fraternities and sororities. 

• Tuition and fees: $13,017 – $16,041
• Acceptance rate: 81%
• SAT scores: 990-1190
• ACT scores: 20-26

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Grand Valley State University

Located in the Grand Rapids area, Grand Valley State University is a large public institution with 19,233 undergraduate enrollments. Some of its popular majors include psychology, education, and marketing. Though 91% of the courses are taught on campus, there is also 9% of the courses which incorporate a mixture of on-campus and online instruction.

• Tuition and fees: $17,184
• Acceptance rate: 83%
• SAT scores: 1050-1240
• ACT scores: 21-27

Online Colleges

Online college or distance learning can be another great option for earning your degree. There are many benefits to earning a degree online, including the ability to choose the optimal location for your unique needs and interests.

Online studies may be a good option for you if you’re looking to attend an international program overseas or need flexible hours for managing family and work while earning your degree. Online learning makes it possible to earn a degree while pursuing other interests.

Many of the above universities and colleges offer online programs. This is especially true in 2020 when many students are opting to work and study from home due to the pandemic, changing economies, and changes in academic programs and requirements. 

One option for earning a degree online is University of the People (UoPeople). University of the People is a completely online university that offers degrees in business administration, computer science, health science, and education. We are a tuition-free university with the goal of making quality education accessible and affordable to students from all backgrounds.

The Bottom Line

There are many high-quality colleges in Michigan to meet your academic needs and interests. Whether you’re a Maryland resident taking your college tours this year, or a continuing student exploring your options, colleges in Michigan have a lot to offer.

Alternatively, getting a degree online is easier than ever, and there are many options for earning your degree completely online, or getting a headstart on your studies while planning the next step in your academic caree