The Best Colleges in Michigan

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Explore your options for the perfect college choice in Michigan. This dynamic state has a variety of higher education options affordable, and high-quality public, private, and community colleges. Get off to a great start on your career path with one of the academic hotbeds that the state provides.

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No matter if you’re a Michigan resident or if you are going to the area simply to get a college education, attending colleges and universities in Michigan can be a very worthwhile experience. A state that is well known for its beautiful mountainous landscape, picturesque lakes, and thriving college culture, attending Universities in Northern Michigan provides students with lots of benefits. 

Nevertheless, if you have never been to the state, you may want to learn more about the various colleges and universities in Michigan before making a decision. That said, here is a closer look at the specifics of attending universities in Michigan. 

What are the Benefits of Attending College in Michigan?

No matter if you’re considering attending universities in northern Michigan, southern Michigan colleges, or any college in between, there are plenty of benefits to going to college in Michigan. Here are some of the top ones:

The Auto Industry

If you have a personal or professional interest in the auto industry, Michigan is an excellent state to attend college. Nicknamed ‘The Motor City,’ Michigan is the home of the American auto industry. Specifically, the city of Detroit was once the world’s leading automobile manufacturer. 

These days, there are various museums that were created to commemorate its once-thriving auto industry. This includes world-renowned venues such as The Automotive Hall of Fame, The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, and The Fiat Chrysler Jefferson North Assembly Plant. So, whether you’re interested in learning about the history of car production or simply want to apply for entry-level positions in some of these businesses, this makes it worthwhile to go to college in Michigan. 

Great Food

Although many new college students dread the freshman 15, the college lifestyle heavily champions delicious food. Luckily, Michigan is known for a wide array of delicious foods, such as:

  • Coney Island Hot Dogs: The Coney Island Hot Dog is a Detroit staple. Also known as a “chilly dog” or “Coney,” a Coney Island Dog is a grilled hot dog topped with chili, onions, and mustard and served on a bun. 
  • Traverse City Cherries: If you love fresh cherries, you will enjoy attending Michigan college. This is because Traverse City is known as the Cherry Capital of the World; Traverse City has a wide array of cherry orchards in the area. In fact, Traverse City even hosts an annual Cherry Festival.
  • Cornish Patties: Cornish Patties are traditional handheld meat pies that are filled with beef, onion, potato, and rutabaga wrapped in a tasty crust. 

The Great Lakes

If you like the idea of living by a lake, going to colleges in the upper Peninsula of Michigan could be an excellent choice. Nicknamed the “Great Lakes State,” 60% of Michigan’s coastline is bordered by four Great Lakes: Huron, Superior, Michigan, and Erie. If you enjoy swimming, fishing, and other activities in fresh water, 21% of the world’s fresh surface water exists in these four lakes alone! 

Beautiful Lighthouses 

If you’ve ever beheld the beauty of lighthouses in person, you are well aware of the optical benefits of living near them. As the lighthouse capital of the world, Michigan is the home to 115 lighthouses, many of which are located along the Great Lakes. This makes it a fun area to sightsee, take photos, and even study outdoors. 

What Kinds of Colleges are in Michigan?

If you are interested in finding out about the various types of colleges in Michigan upper Peninsula and other areas, there are plenty to choose from. Here is an overview of some of the types of colleges in Michigan. 

Michigan is an excellent place for those interested in engineering schools. Students can choose from institutions such as Michigan Tech, which is a common choice for STEM students. Moreover, Kettering University, which is located in Flint, has a legacy of being an esteemed college most well-known for helping to give Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors, her start in the industry. Moreover, students may choose to attend Lawrence Technological University, which is excellent for those searching for engineering and technology jobs.  

On the other hand, many people are unaware of the fact that Western Michigan University has a highly revered aerospace engineering program. Also, the University of Michigan has a similar program. 

Additionally, Michigan is known for the following types of colleges:

  • Research universities.
  • Doctoral/Professional universities.
  • Master’s colleges and universities.
  • Baccalaureate colleges.
  • Baccalaureate/Associate’s colleges.
  • Associate’s colleges.
  • Special-focus institutions.
  • Tribal colleges.

So, how many colleges are in Michigan? There are 104 colleges in Michigan overall. This allows students to choose from all Michigan colleges, including upper peninsula Michigan colleges, southern Michigan colleges, and everywhere in between. There are undergraduate and graduate degrees, student resources, financial aid, and online programs plenty. Prospective students for graduate degrees should seek out graduate programs from an accredited graduate school. Michigan’s colleges have excellent academic quality. Do you want a Christian university? Study abroad programs? A public university? A low student to faculty ratio? You can find them all in Michigan.

Public Colleges and Universities in Michigan

  • Central Michigan University – Mount Pleasant
  • Eastern Michigan University – Ypsilanti
  • Ferris State University – Big Rapids
  • Grand Valley State University – Allendale
  • Michigan State University – East Lansing
  • Michigan Technological University – Houghton
  • Northern Michigan University – Marquette
  • Oakland University – Rochester Hills
  • Saginaw Valley State University – University Center
  • University of Michigan–Ann Arbor – Ann Arbor
  • University of Michigan–Dearborn – Dearborn
  • University of Michigan–Flint – Flint
  • Wayne State University – Detroit
  • Western Michigan University – Kalamazoo

Are There Community Colleges in Michigan?

Many people enjoy attending community colleges because they offer the best of both worlds — students can get all of the benefits of attending a Michigan college, all for a fraction of the cost. Luckily, Michigan offers a wide array of community colleges. Here is a list of them:

  • Alpena Community College – Alpena
  • Bay de Noc Community College – Escanaba
  • Delta College – University Center
  • Glen Oaks Community College – Centreville
  • Gogebic Community College – Ironwood
  • Grand Rapids Community College – Grand Rapids
  • Henry Ford Community College – Dearborn
  • Jackson College – Jackson
  • Kalamazoo Valley Community College – Kalamazoo
  • Kellogg Community College – Battle Creek
  • Kirtland Community College – Roscommon
  • Lake Michigan College – Benton Harbor
  • Lansing Community College – Lansing
  • Macomb Community College – Warren
  • Mid Michigan Community College – Harrison
  • Monroe County Community College – Monroe
  • Montcalm Community College – Sidney
  • Mott Community College – Flint
  • Muskegon Community College – Muskegon
  • North Central Michigan College – Petoskey
  • Northwestern Michigan College – Traverse City
  • Oakland Community College – Bloomfield Hills
  • Schoolcraft College – Livonia
  • Southwestern Michigan College – Dowagiac
  • St. Clair County Community College – Port Huron
  • Washtenaw Community College – Ann Arbor
  • Wayne County Community College District – Detroit
  • West Shore Community College – Scottville

Tribal Colleges in Michigan

  • Bay Mills Community College – Brimley
  • Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College – Baraga
  • Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College – Mount Pleasant

Private Colleges and Universities in Michigan

  • Adrian College – Adrian
  • Albion College – Albion
  • Alma College – Alma
  • Andrews University – Berrien Springs
  • Aquinas College – Grand Rapids
  • Baker College – Multiple Locations
  • Calvin College – Grand Rapids
  • Calvin Theological Seminary – Grand Rapids
  • Cleary University – Ann Arbor
  • College for Creative Studies – Detroit
  • Concordia University–Ann Arbor – Ann Arbor
  • Cornerstone University – Grand Rapids
  • Cranbrook Academy of Art – Bloomfield Hills
  • Davenport University – Grand Rapids
  • Ecumenical Theological Seminary – Detroit
  • Finlandia University – Hancock
  • Grace Bible College – Wyoming
  • Great Lakes Christian College – Lansing
  • Hillsdale College – Hillsdale
  • Hope College – Holland
  • Kalamazoo College – Kalamazoo
  • Kettering University – Flint
  • Kuyper College – Grand Rapids
  • Lake Superior State University – Sault Ste Marie
  • Lawrence Technological University – Southfield
  • Madonna University – Livonia
  • Marygrove College – Detroit
  • Michigan School of Professional Psychology – Farmington Hills
  • Michigan State University College of Law – East Lansing
  • Moody Theological Seminary–Michigan – Plymouth
  • Northwood University – Midland
  • Olivet College – Olivet
  • Rochester College – Rochester Hills
  • Sacred Heart Major Seminary – Detroit
  • Siena Heights University – Adrian
  • Spring Arbor University – Spring Arbor
  • The Art Institute of Michigan – Novi
  • Trine University–Centreville Campus – Centreville
  • University of Detroit Mercy – Detroit
  • Walsh College of Accountancy and Business – Troy
  • Western Michigan University Cooley Law School – Lansing
  • Western Theological Seminary – Holland
  • Yeshiva Gedolah of Greater Detroit – Oak Park

What Are the Most Popular Majors in Michigan?

If you are wondering about the most popular majors in Michigan, some of them are as follows:

1. Computer and Information Sciences, General– 11% of Students

Majoring in Computer and Information Science allows students to learn how to manage information through computing. This is considered more of an evergreen major as far as computer science is concerned — it does not focus on emerging trends. Instead, it teaches students how to help companies, nonprofit organizations, and governments leverage existing technology to achieve their business goals. This major is popular in Michigan because it is a thriving city filled with an array of businesses. 

2. Business Administration and Management, General — 7% of Students

Another of the most popular majors in Michigan is Business and Administration Management. This major teaches students the mechanics of business via fundamental courses such as accounting, finance, and marketing, as well as an array of more specialized topics. This enables students to study business ethics while also finding creative ways to solve problems using data. 

3. Economics, General — 7% of Students

No matter what area you may reside in, studying economics can be a beneficial degree. This is because economics majors learn highly beneficial topics such as financial markets,  supply, economic policy and international trade, demand, and consumer behavior. In addition, undergraduate students also take courses that can help propel their economics careers forward, such as social science, business, and statistics.

4. Behavioral Neuroscience — 4% of Students

Those who choose to major in Behavioral Neuroscience will learn about the role of the nervous system in normal/ abnormal behavior, thought, and emotion. This program requires students to gain an understanding of the nervous system and how it functions on a molecular level. 

Mechanical Engineering — 4% of Students 

Those who choose the mechanical engineer’s major learn about the design of automotive and aerospace systems/ bioengineering devices, as well as other energy-related technologies. They are tasked with learning how to conduct research through design and development to manufacturing and sales.

Experimental Psychology — 4% of Students 

Are you interested in enrolling in experimental psychology in colleges in Northern Michigan? Well, majoring in experimental psychology may be a fantastic choice.  Those who enroll in these programs  learn how to use scientific research methods as a means of studying the thoughts and behaviors of people from all walks of life. This means they learn how to assess the state of the human mind via an array of scientific research methods.

How Many College Students are in Michigan? 

With such a massive number of schools, college enrollment in Michigan is a big deal. According to Univstats, there are 501,313 students enrolled in Michigan colleges. Of those students, 425,984 are undergraduate students, 75,329 are graduate students, 215,805 students are men, and 285,508 are women. 

What Kinds of Jobs are Needed in Michigan?

Michigan is a great, complex state with a wide variety of needs. For this reason, the list of the most in-demand jobs is equally as difficult. Here is a closer look at that list:

Automotive Service/Technology Certification or Associate — $19.76  per hour

Although Michigan is no longer the automotive powerhouse it once was, it is still a great area to pursue a career in the field. Those who choose these positions are tasked with diagnosing and repairing electronic and electrical systems. They may also be expected to repair or replace transmissions as necessary. Replace or repair transmissions and fuel components as needed, perform emissions inspections, repair air conditioners and help engine cooling and more. 

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics $ 19.76

Similarly, automotive service technicians and mechanics are responsible for performing maintenance and care for various types of vehicles. They may be tasked with routine care and maintenance, including checking fluid levels, oil changes, tire rotation, and more. 

Associate in Computer Systems Computer User Support Specialists $ 22.78

If you’re considering becoming an Associate in Computer Systems Computer User Support Specialist, you will be tasked with maintaining computer networks and providing technical help to computer users. These are highly beneficial skills to have whether you choose to remain in the region after graduation or not. 

HVAC Certification/Associate — Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers   $ 22.85

If you are interested in learning a trade, becoming a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer may be right for you. Certified HVAC associates are responsible for  installing, cleaning, and maintaining HVAC systems, as well as installing electrical components, wiring, and more. 

Licensed Practical Nurse Certification /Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses            $ 24.23

If you are considering enrolling in upper Peninsula Michigan colleges for nursing, you can earn a good living once you have graduated. Nurses are tasked with preventative care, check-ups, treating illnesses, ordering lab tests and prescribing medication for children and adults. 

Computer Numeric Control (CNC) Certification/Machinist Associate  Machinists —  $ 20.16

Another career in high demand is that of computer numerical control technician/programmer operator. They are tasked with setting up and operating computer-controlled machine tools. They may also need to set-up fixtures and tooling, produce and inspect parts, and edit CNC programs. 

Nursing Assistant Certification    Medical Assistants           $ 16.12

Also known as CPAs, Certified nursing assistants are responsible for assisting with feeding patients, serving meals, turning, and repositioning patients, and helping to keep their patients as safe and healthy as possible. Those who choose this career path become an essential part of their patient’s lives as they typically work with the elderly and those with serious, chronic illnesses. 

Registered Nurses           $ 34.74

Registered Nurses are tasked with creating plans for patient care. They are responsible for providing and coordinating patient care on all levels. They may even be tasked with educating patients, as well as the general public, in order to ward off various health conditions, and providing emotional support to those who suffer from these various conditions. 

Respiratory Therapists   $ 28.14

Another popular job for those attending Respiratory therapists interview and examine patients with breathing or cardiopulmonary disorders. Respiratory therapists care for patients who have trouble breathing—for example, because of conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Welding Associate/Certificate    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers               $ 18.64

If you want to pursue a trade that is in high demand in Michigan, becoming a Welding Associate may be an excellent choice. They are tasked with welding, cutting, soldering, and using remote-controlled or hand-held equipment as a means of joining, repairing, or cutting metal products and parts.    

Two Michigans, One Rich History

The Great Lakes State, Michigan, is named from the Ojibwe word of French origin, meaning “large water,” or “large lake.” The only state divided into two distinct halves, Michigan’s Lower Peninsula and Upper Peninsula have their own cultures and characteristics – the larger, more urban and industrial Lower, and the sparsely populated, French and Scandinavian influenced U.P., home of the Yoopers. The abundance of water is a factor frames the state as a beautiful destination, as a person is never more than 6 miles from a natural body of water, or 85 miles from a shoreline of a great lake. The largest city in the state is Detroit, which is rich in history and culture, as it is the birthplace of many important aspects that define the country including Motown.

How Michigan Does Higher Education

Michigan’s population is diverse as far as economic class, ethnicity, race, and culture are concerned, and the state’s higher education offerings are a reflection of its residents, making it so there are options that enable all students to be successful in their academic endeavors. Just like water, the state is covered in affordable community college and four-year degree-granting institutions of higher learning, and is ripe with the tools to offer adult learners and first-generation college students access to a successful career path. There are also several options for students pursuing creative and arts educations, as well as engagement with the state system, and research universities.


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Aya Andrews

Editor-in-Chief

Aya Andrews is a passionate educator and mother of two, with a diverse background that has shaped her approach to teaching and learning. Born in Metro Manila, she now calls San Diego home and is proud to be a Filipino-American. Aya earned her Masters degree in Education from San Diego State University, where she focused on developing innovative teaching methods to engage and inspire students.

Prior to her work in education, Aya spent several years as a continuing education consultant for KPMG, where she honed her skills in project management and client relations. She brings this same level of professionalism and expertise to her work as an educator, where she is committed to helping each of her students achieve their full potential.

In addition to her work as an educator, Aya is a devoted mother who is passionate about creating a nurturing and supportive home environment for her children. She is an active member of her community, volunteering her time and resources to support local schools and organizations. Aya is also an avid traveler, and loves to explore new cultures and cuisines with her family.

With a deep commitment to education and a passion for helping others succeed, Aya is a true inspiration to those around her. Her dedication to her craft, her community, and her family is a testament to her unwavering commitment to excellence in all aspects of her life.

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ValueColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

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