Best Grad Schools in Michigan 2024

Badge for BEST IN MICHIGAN GRADUATE SCHOOLS

Graduate school may be a critical step in your higher education, whether you are interested in expanding your knowledge, learning a specialization, or earning advanced credentials required by your profession. The best graduate schools in Michigan offer advanced degrees, such as master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as opportunities for independent research, mentorships, and professional networking.

10 Best Grad Schools in Michigan

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  1. University of Michigan
  2. Michigan State University
  3. Wayne State University
  4. Western Michigan University
  5. Oakland University
  6. University of Detroit Mercy
  7. Eastern Michigan University
  8. Michigan Technological University
  9. Central Michigan University
  10. Andrews University
  1. University of Michigan
  2. Michigan State University
  3. Wayne State University
  4. Western Michigan University
  5. Eastern Michigan University
  6. Andrews University
  7. Oakland University
  8. Michigan Technological University
  9. University of Detroit Mercy
  10. Central Michigan University
  1. Michigan Technological University 94%
  2. University of Detroit Mercy 91%
  3. Andrews University 91%
  4. Oakland University 90%
  5. Michigan State University 88%
  6. Ferris State University 88%
  7. Western Michigan University 85%
  8. Eastern Michigan University 83%
  9. Lawrence Technological University 82%
  10. Cornerstone University 82%
  1. Central Michigan University 17 to 1
  2. Michigan State University 17 to 1
  3. Oakland University 17 to 1
  4. Western Michigan University 16 to 1
  5. University of Michigan–Dearborn 16 to 1
  6. Cornerstone University 15 to 1
  7. Ferris State University 15 to 1
  8. Wayne State University 14 to 1
  9. Eastern Michigan University 14 to 1
  10. University of Michigan–Flint 13 to 1
  1. Lawrence Technological University $39,570
  2. Andrews University $32,734
  3. University of Detroit Mercy $31,058
  4. Cornerstone University $27,880
  5. Madonna University $26,100
  6. Michigan Technological University $18,592
  7. University of Michigan $17,454
  8. Michigan State University $16,437
  9. Eastern Michigan University $16,410
  10. Oakland University $15,723
  1. Andrews University $26,580
  2. University of Michigan $25,894
  3. Michigan Technological University $23,607
  4. University of Detroit Mercy $21,626
  5. Michigan State University $20,202
  6. Oakland University $20,016
  7. Lawrence Technological University $18,774
  8. Wayne State University $17,682
  9. Western Michigan University $17,539
  10. Eastern Michigan University $16,857
  1. Cornerstone University
  2. University of Michigan–Flint
  3. University of Michigan–Dearborn
  4. Lawrence Technological University
  5. Madonna University
  6. Ferris State University
  7. Andrews University
  8. Central Michigan University
  9. Michigan Technological University
  10. Eastern Michigan University
  1. Cornerstone University
  2. Madonna University
  3. Lawrence Technological University
  4. University of Michigan–Flint
  5. University of Michigan–Dearborn
  6. Ferris State University
  7. Central Michigan University
  8. University of Detroit Mercy
  9. Michigan Technological University
  10. Oakland University
  1. University of Michigan 18%
  2. University of Michigan–Dearborn 54%
  3. Madonna University 65%
  4. University of Michigan–Flint 66%
  5. Wayne State University 75%
  6. Central Michigan University 79%
  7. Cornerstone University 82%
  8. Lawrence Technological University 82%
  9. Eastern Michigan University 83%
  10. Western Michigan University 85%
  1. Andrews University 10 to 1
  2. University of Detroit Mercy 11 to 1
  3. Lawrence Technological University 11 to 1
  4. University of Michigan 12 to 1
  5. Madonna University 12 to 1
  6. University of Michigan–Flint 13 to 1
  7. Michigan Technological University 13 to 1
  8. Wayne State University 14 to 1
  9. Eastern Michigan University 14 to 1
  10. Cornerstone University 15 to 1
  1. University of Michigan–Flint $12,234
  2. Ferris State University $13,076
  3. Central Michigan University $13,650
  4. University of Michigan–Dearborn $13,920
  5. Wayne State University $14,140
  6. Western Michigan University $14,523
  7. Oakland University $15,723
  8. Eastern Michigan University $16,410
  9. Michigan State University $16,437
  10. University of Michigan $17,454
  1. Ferris State University $8,532
  2. University of Michigan–Flint $12,740
  3. Cornerstone University $14,160
  4. University of Michigan–Dearborn $14,890
  5. Central Michigan University $15,942
  6. Madonna University $16,830
  7. Eastern Michigan University $16,857
  8. Western Michigan University $17,539
  9. Wayne State University $17,682
  10. Lawrence Technological University $18,774

Colleges and Universities in Michigan

With over 80 public and private colleges to choose from, students hoping to earn their associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree can find a program that suits their educational needs and budget. Michigan State University and the University of Michigan are the two largest schools, both serving around 42,000 students and costing $16,000 in tuition. Most of the schools in The Wolverine State, however, serve smaller student populations, with tuition fees ranging from $3,000 to $49,000.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

Additionally, students pursuing their degree at a school with religious affiliations have more than 20 options to choose from, including Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, Grand Rapid’s Calvin College, and Hope College in Holland. Students attending one of Michigan’s private schools, like Davenport University, can earn their degrees in fields like nursing, education, criminal justice, and history. Michigan, like many other states, also provides a special loan forgiveness program to those in medical, dental, and mental health professions who work in underserved communities. Recipients can receive up to $200,000 of tax-free funds over an eight-year period.

The great state of Michigan famously serves as the major hub of the United States auto industry - and also boasts the longest freshwater coastline in the nation. Students who love the outdoors but are also drawn to the metropolitan energy of big cities like Detroit and Grand Rapids will feel very much at home in Michigan.

To find your degree program, explore some of the top schools in Michigan.


What are Michigan’s Colleges & Universities?

Michigan’s Best Overall


Michigan's Best Grad Schools Badge
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There are 16 doctorate-granting graduate schools in Michigan. Our ranking of the best graduate schools in the Michigan is composed of both private and public schools. To be included, schools must be fully accredited non-profit institutions, and must offer doctoral degrees and a broad array of graduate degrees.

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Best Grad Schools in Michigan 2023

  1. #1

    University of Michigan

    Ann Arbor , MI
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $18K

    Acceptance

    18%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    52K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1440/32

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Michigan

    Cost of Degree: $17,786
    Expenses: $16,820
    Starting Salary: $79,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  2. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $16K

    Acceptance

    75%

    Graduation

    60%

    Student body

    29K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1150/24

    Career Outlook for degree at Wayne State University

    Cost of Degree: $15,882
    Expenses: $16,873
    Starting Salary: $52,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  3. #10

    Andrews University

    Berrien Springs , MI
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $33K

    Acceptance

    91%

    Graduation

    71%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1225/24

    Career Outlook for degree at Andrews University

    Cost of Degree: $32,734
    Expenses: $11,674
    Starting Salary: $47,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  4. #11

    Ferris State University

    Big Rapids , MI
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    88%

    Graduation

    49%

    Student body

    13K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1030/20

    Career Outlook for degree at Ferris State University

    Cost of Degree: $13,608
    Expenses: $13,600
    Starting Salary: $49,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Ferris State University known for?

    Ferris State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  5. Tuition + fees

    $40K

    Acceptance

    82%

    Graduation

    66%

    Student body

    4K

    Career Outlook for degree at Lawrence Technological University

    Cost of Degree: $39,570
    Expenses: $17,839
    Starting Salary: $60,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Lawrence Technological University known for?

    Lawrence Technological University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  6. Tuition + fees

    $14K

    Acceptance

    54%

    Graduation

    56%

    Student body

    10K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1150/25

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Michigan–Dearborn

    Cost of Degree: $14,320
    Starting Salary: $56,200
    What is University of Michigan–Dearborn known for?

    University of Michigan–Dearborn’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  7. Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    66%

    Graduation

    46%

    Student body

    7K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1075/24

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Michigan–Flint

    Cost of Degree: $12,858
    Expenses: $13,764
    Starting Salary: $44,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Michigan–Flint known for?

    University of Michigan–Flint’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  8. #16

    Cornerstone University

    Grand Rapids , MI
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $28K

    Acceptance

    82%

    Graduation

    62%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Cornerstone University

    Cost of Degree: $27,880
    Expenses: $14,780
    Starting Salary: $40,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Cornerstone University known for?

    Cornerstone University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

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Michigan’s Best Grad School for Your Area of Interest

Resources for Prospective Grad Students

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.

  1. University of Michigan
  2. Michigan State University
  3. Western Michigan University
  4. Michigan Technological University
  5. University of Michigan–Dearborn
  6. University of Detroit Mercy
  7. Central Michigan University
  8. Oakland University
  9. Eastern Michigan University
  10. Lawrence Technological University
  11. Andrews University
  12. Ferris State University
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