Most Affordable Colleges in Michigan 2025

Badge for MOST AFFORDABLE COLLEGES IN MICHIGAN

Key Takeaways

  • Michigan provides so many study opportunities both for local and international students.
  • Michigan has a diverse group of colleges including technology and career preparation universities, small colleges, religious schools, and large state schools that support athletic rivalries.
  • Michigan has also a relatively lower cost of living than any other region across the US, thus making the state a perfect choice for those looking not only for affordable colleges, but also for a cheaper way of life.

2025 Ranking Update

Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.

The top 4 schools in our 2025 ranking of the most affordable colleges in Michigan remain unchanged between 2024 and 2025.

Ferris State University gained 1 position to move into the top 10.

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

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Michigan: Home to Quality, Inexpensive Colleges

You can find the best universities and colleges across Michigan and in cities like Grand Rapids, Detroit, Kalamazoo, Flint, and Ann Arbor. Michigan’s state capital, Lansing, is where you can find one of the biggest colleges in the US, Michigan State University, home to more than 37,000 undergraduates every year.

Michigan’s Top Cities for Higher Education

Lansing: This is Michigan’s state capital, and is the center for Michigan’s industry, government, commerce, education, and culture. Lansing is where you can find Michigan State University. The state is also home to two nursing schools, two medical schools, a veterinary school, and two law schools, including the Michigan State University College of Law. This city is also where the state capitol is located, as well as the state’s Supreme Court, a famous library, and a historical center.

Ann Arbor: The embodiment of a real college town, it is home to the University of Michigan. Here, students seem to practically run the city; from the school’s sporting events that turn the entire town into a bed of blue and maize, to the students’ sway over liberal political demographic and cheap but good places to drink and eat.

The University of Michigan’s Ann Arbor campus plays a crucial role in the town’s culture and heritage, as evidently seen by the Museum of Art and Museum of Natural History, which are both open and allow students to access for free.

Detroit: What was once the world’s wealthiest cities is now known as the gritty and industrial “Motor City.” Although no longer leading in the car manufacturing industry, Detroit still has its own charm—a city of urban culture, vibrancy, and sass. It also offers a rich cultural and arts scene, such as the Detroit Institute of Arts, found within the vicinity of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.

Funding Options for Michigan College Students

Scholarships: Scholarship awards can be as little as $25 or full-ride tuition and expenses for four years of college. Because of the overwhelming options, finding the right one is a challenge. Talk to your high school counselors first or go to the financial aid office of your college of choice. Some free websites to help you find scholarships include:

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Grants: Similar to scholarships, grants are usually issued by government agencies, non-profit organizations, or colleges, and are awarded to qualified students based on their financial needs. Examples of grants available for college students in Michigan include:

  • Michigan Student Aid, which includes programs such as the Michigan Educational Opportunity Grant, Children of Veterans Tuition Grant, Michigan Tuition Grants, and the Tuition Incentive Program.
  • Grants, like the Pell Grant or the Academic Competitiveness Grant, are needs-based grants for low-income students. Students can apply for these federal grants by completing the federal financial aid form (FAFSA).
  • The federal Teach Grant program is for graduate and undergraduate students who wish to pursue a teaching career. This is also ideal for students who agree to teach in high-need fields or low-income areas for a given period of time after they graduate.
  • Grants for specific ethnic groups are also offered. These include grants for African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanics, Jewish Americans, Irish Americans, Native Americans, and Italian Americans. There are also grants for women, for people from a specific religious group, for first-generation college students, for high-needs fields, or for specialized fields like engineering, math, or science.

College Work Study Programs

There are types of study programs that pay a certain amount to students based on their financial needs as part of college-based, state, or financial aid packages. College work-study programs require students to work on campus or locally for a minimum wage.

There are 21 colleges and universities in Michigan with stated tuitions and fees under $20,000/year. The following list of the most affordable colleges and universities in Michigan is composed entirely of schools offering bachelor’s degree programs, have stated tuition and fees near or under the national average of $16,000/year, and are fully accredited colleges.

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Most Affordable Colleges in Michigan 2025

These schools are ranked by academic excellence, and all under $20,000/year.

  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

    Wayne State University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Mortuary Science
    • Required Credits: 56
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Social Work
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  3. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $15K

    Acceptance

    85%

    Graduation

    55%

    Student body

    20K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1105/23

    Career Outlook for degree at Western Michigan University

    Cost of Degree: $14,623
    Expenses: $14,803
    Starting Salary: $50,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Western Michigan University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Family Studies, Child And Family Development
    • Required Credits: 122
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Healthcare Services & Sciences
    Degree Concentrations
    • Clinical Practice in Health
    • Audiology Preparation
    • Blindness and Low Vision Studies Preparation
    • Occupational Therapy Preparation
    • Physician Assistant Preparation
    • Required Credits: 62
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS/BA in University Studies
    • Required Credits: 56 or more
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  4. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $16K

    Acceptance

    83%

    Graduation

    45%

    Student body

    19K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1055/21

    Career Outlook for degree at Eastern Michigan University

    Cost of Degree: $16,410
    Expenses: $14,566
    Starting Salary: $43,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Eastern Michigan University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Information. Assurance And Cyber Defense
    • Required Credits: 124
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing: RN to BSN
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  5. #6

    Oakland University

    Rochester Hills , MI
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $16K

    Acceptance

    90%

    Graduation

    58%

    Student body

    20K

    Career Outlook for degree at Oakland University

    Cost of Degree: $15,723
    Expenses: $14,636
    Starting Salary: $48,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Oakland University’s Online Degrees

    BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Environmental Health And Safety
    • Required Credits: 125
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  6. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $14K

    Acceptance

    90%

    Graduation

    66%

    Student body

    25K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1085/24

    Career Outlook for degree at Grand Valley State University

    Cost of Degree: $14,302
    Expenses: $13,245
    Starting Salary: $47,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Grand Valley State University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

    Grand Valley State University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Respiratory Care
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
    BSN in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 128
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
    BS in Health Professional
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  7. #10

    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

    Ferris State University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Digital Media Software Engineering
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Project Management
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Information Security And Intelligence
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Integrative Studies
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Technical Education Pre-Mo-Ted
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Allied Health Science
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Respiratory Therapy
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Dental Hygiene
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Hvac/R Engineering Technology And Energy Management
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  8. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    71%

    Graduation

    53%

    Student body

    8K

    Career Outlook for degree at Northern Michigan University

    Cost of Degree: $12,948
    Expenses: $14,784
    Starting Salary: $39,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Northern Michigan University’s Online Degrees

    BAS in Applied Science In Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Construction Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Loss Prevention Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Ski Area Business Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
    BS in Applied Workplace Leadership
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Clinical Lab Sciences/Laboratory Medicine
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Psychology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  9. 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

  10. 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

    University of Michigan–Flint’s Online Degrees

    BA in Applied Science
    • Required Credits: 124
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Health Care Administration
    • Required Credits: 124
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Early Childhood Studies
    • Required Credits: 128
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Business Administration
    Degree Concentrations
    • Accounting
    • Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management
    • Finance
    • General Business
    • International Business
    • Marketing
    • Organizational Behavior & Human Resouces Management (OBHRM)
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Psychology
    • Required Credits: 124
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Respiratory Therapy
    • Required Credits: 124
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  11. #14

    Saginaw Valley State University

    University Center , MI

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    76%

    Graduation

    50%

    Student body

    8K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1075/22

    Career Outlook for degree at Saginaw Valley State University

    Cost of Degree: $11,565
    Expenses: $13,720
    Starting Salary: $42,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Saginaw Valley State University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

  12. #15

    Lake Superior State University

    Sault Ste Marie , MI

    Tuition + fees

    $14K

    Acceptance

    77%

    Graduation

    51%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1112/22

    Career Outlook for degree at Lake Superior State University

    Cost of Degree: $13,728
    Expenses: $13,966
    Starting Salary: $42,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Lake Superior State University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

  13. Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Graduation

    44%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Alpena Community College

    Cost of Degree: $7,995
    Expenses: $10,150
    Starting Salary: $35,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Alpena Community College known for?

    Alpena Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  14. #18

    Northwestern Michigan College

    Traverse City , MI

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Graduation

    24%

    Student body

    4K

    Career Outlook for degree at Northwestern Michigan College

    Cost of Degree: $9,532
    Expenses: $9,995
    Starting Salary: $34,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Northwestern Michigan College known for?

    Northwestern Michigan College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  15. #19

    Henry Ford College

    Dearborn , MI

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    11%

    Student body

    16K

    Career Outlook for degree at Henry Ford College

    Cost of Degree: $5,308
    Starting Salary: $35,700
    What is Henry Ford College known for?

    Henry Ford College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  16. #20

    Jackson College

    Jackson , MI

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Graduation

    16%

    Student body

    6K

    Career Outlook for degree at Jackson College

    Cost of Degree: $7,425
    Expenses: $12,002
    Starting Salary: $34,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Jackson College known for?

    Jackson College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  17. #21

    Lake Michigan College

    Benton Harbor , MI

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Graduation

    21%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at Lake Michigan College

    Cost of Degree: $7,148
    Expenses: $17,808
    Starting Salary: $27,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Lake Michigan College known for?

    Lake Michigan College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

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Michigan’s Most Affordable Colleges in Your Area of Interest

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