Best Online Colleges in Michigan 2024

Badge for BEST ONLINE COLLEGES IN MICHIGAN

Published: Jan 4, 2022
Updated: Nov 22, 2023

Find the best online colleges in Michigan ranked by the academic successes of faculty and alumni associated with the colleges and universities and their online degree programs.

Top 10 Online Colleges in Michigan

Wayne State University
Western Michigan University
Oakland University
Northern Michigan University
Andrews University
Eastern Michigan University
Siena Heights University
Cornerstone University
Northwood University
Ferris State University

Wayne State University
Western Michigan University
Eastern Michigan University
Andrews University
Oakland University
Grand Valley State University
Ferris State University
Northern Michigan University
University of Michigan–Flint
Northwood University

Grace Christian University 100%
Davenport University 99%
Andrews University 91%
Oakland University 90%
Grand Valley State University 90%
Ferris State University 88%
Western Michigan University 85%
Eastern Michigan University 83%
Cornerstone University 82%
Northwood University 80%

Northern Michigan University 18 to 1
Oakland University 17 to 1
Western Michigan University 16 to 1
Davenport University 16 to 1
Grand Valley State University 15 to 1
Cornerstone University 15 to 1
Grace Christian University 15 to 1
Ferris State University 15 to 1
Wayne State University 14 to 1
Eastern Michigan University 14 to 1

Concordia University Ann Arbor $32,982
Andrews University $32,734
Spring Arbor University $31,660
Northwood University $31,600
Siena Heights University $29,044
Cornerstone University $27,880
Rochester College $26,736
Madonna University $26,100
Davenport University $22,244
Walsh College $20,232

Northwood University $37,080
Andrews University $26,580
Oakland University $20,016
Grand Valley State University $18,456
Wayne State University $17,682
Western Michigan University $17,539
Davenport University $17,262
Eastern Michigan University $16,857
Madonna University $16,830
Walsh College $16,632

Baker College
Rochester College
Grace Christian University
Walsh College
University of Michigan–Flint
Concordia University Ann Arbor
Davenport University
Spring Arbor University
Madonna University
Grand Valley State University

Grace Christian University
Rochester College
Walsh College
Concordia University Ann Arbor
Siena Heights University
Davenport University
Spring Arbor University
Cornerstone University
Baker College
Madonna University

Baker College 37%
Spring Arbor University 47%
Siena Heights University 65%
Madonna University 65%
University of Michigan–Flint 66%
Concordia University Ann Arbor 70%
Rochester College 71%
Northern Michigan University 71%
Wayne State University 75%
Northwood University 80%

Baker College 8 to 1
Northwood University 8 to 1
Andrews University 10 to 1
Spring Arbor University 10 to 1
Concordia University Ann Arbor 11 to 1
Madonna University 12 to 1
Siena Heights University 12 to 1
Walsh College 12 to 1
University of Michigan–Flint 13 to 1
Wayne State University 14 to 1

Northern Michigan University $12,096
University of Michigan–Flint $12,234
Baker College $12,710
Ferris State University $13,076
Wayne State University $14,140
Grand Valley State University $14,302
Grace Christian University $14,520
Western Michigan University $14,523
Oakland University $15,723
Eastern Michigan University $16,410

Spring Arbor University $8,198
Ferris State University $8,532
Northern Michigan University $10,176
Rochester College $11,034
Grace Christian University $11,040
Baker College $12,510
Siena Heights University $12,600
University of Michigan–Flint $12,740
Cornerstone University $14,160
Concordia University Ann Arbor $14,166

Table of Contents

Featured Programs

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

Online education has grown dramatically in quality, credibility, and popularity over the last two decades. Today, more than a quarter of all college students are taking at least one online course. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there are more than 5 million college students who are pursuing their undergraduate degree fully online. And the number of online college and graduate students continues to grow as online technology and instructional methods improve.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, access to remote learning has proven an essential part of the educational ecosystem. Schools that offer primarily online degree programs saw an increase of 7% enrollment just between Fall 2020 and Spring 2021. The number of traditional institutions offering online courses and degrees is growing as well. This all paints a promising picture for the future of online education. But it also produces a dizzying array of options.

Frequently Asked Questions About Best Online Colleges 2024

Asynchronous learning means classes don’t meet at set times. This is the most flexible online learning experience, making when you cover your course material up to you. Most asynchronous online courses will still have deadlines throughout the semester for various assignments and tests. Some asynchronous classes may still ask for an occasional meeting, such as initial meet-and-greets, and in some cases there may be scheduled test times. The idea of asynchronous learning is to allow the student to manage their schedules as needed.

Synchronous learning means you will have scheduled meeting times for your online classes. Synchronous learning gives online students the flexibility of location while also giving students a chance to engage with each other and their professors. For many online students, the structured class schedules and ability to see and hear from peers in real-time helps create the learning experience they want.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable institutions and less-than-reputable for-profit schools. Accreditation gives you the power to differentiate between the two. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency which indicates that a college or university is meeting standards of quality, credibility, and currency. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university which is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. When seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that students opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited, you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer. In many cases, you will be required to navigate a bureaucracy in which some of your credits will be transferred and others will be jettisoned. However, provided that you have attended an online school with the proper regional accreditation, you should have plenty of options for transfer.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript or resume differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

While some employers may express concern about making the adjustment from online education to in-person workplace collaboration, many other employers will view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st Century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

The advantages of online classes are many. First and foremost, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities—educational experiences that you can complete on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

How do we determine the best online colleges for undergrads?

Methodology

Pursuing your degree online doesn’t mean you need to settle for an inferior school. Today, most universities and colleges offer online degrees, and many respected schools are seeing significant growth in their numbers of online students.

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great. This is why influence — i.e., the academic impact of faculty and alumni associated with a school — gets at the heart of what is truly best in education. The combined influence score of a college or university’s top academic influencers is the best indicator of academic excellence. For our online degree rankings, we focus on the academic influence of faculty and alumni in the specific disciplines we’re ranking.

If you are serious about finding the best online colleges, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching, and whether their graduates themselves are advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence. Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and arbitrary performance metrics. Influence, as measured by our InfluenceRanking engine, provides a ranking that is free from bias, insulated from manipulation, and reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

Best Online Colleges in Michigan 2023

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Best Online Colleges in Michigan 2024

Top 10 Online Colleges in Michigan

Featured Programs

Colleges and Universities in Michigan

What are Michigan’s Colleges & Universities?

Best Online Colleges in Michigan 2023

Career Outlook for degree at Wayne State University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Western Michigan University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at Oakland University

Online Degrees

Areas of Study

Career Outlook for degree at Northern Michigan University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Andrews University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Eastern Michigan University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Siena Heights University

Online Degrees

Tracks

Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at Cornerstone University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Northwood University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at Ferris State University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Grand Valley State University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at Madonna University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Spring Arbor University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Davenport University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Concentrations

Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at Concordia University Ann Arbor

Online Degrees

Minors and Concentrations

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Career Outlook for degree at University of Michigan–Flint

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at Walsh College

Online Degree Completion Programs

Concentrations

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Career Outlook for degree at Grace Christian University

Online Degrees

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Career Outlook for degree at Rochester College

Online Degree Completion Programs

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Career Outlook for degree at Baker College

Online Degrees

Concentrations

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