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10 Best Colleges in Michigan
What’s Covered:
From public to private schools, large research universities to small liberal arts colleges, Michigan offers an abundance of higher education opportunities to students. We’ve rounded up the top 10 colleges in the state and will reveal our rankings in this post.
Our Ranking Methodology
In order to determine our rankings, we mainly focused on school quality, outcomes, and return on investment (ROI). We also factored in data on retention rate, selectivity, endowment per student, student-faculty ratio, median earnings, and cost of attendance, among many others. Students can see our nation-wide rankings here.
10 Best Colleges in Michigan
1. University of Michigan
Location: Ann Arbor
Acceptance Rate: 23%
Middle 50% SAT: 1330-1510
Middle 50% ACT: 30-34
Undergrad Enrollment: 30,000
This “Public Ivy” is considered the best public university in the U.S. for its stellar academics and world-class research. Students choose among more than 275 degree programs across 19 individual colleges, including 14 undergraduate schools: Architecture & Urban Planning; Art & Design; Business; Dental Hygiene; Education; Engineering; Information; Kinesiology; Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA); Music, Theatre & Dance; Nursing; Pharmacy; Public Health; and Public Policy.
In addition to the Ivy League-caliber academics, the Michigan Wolverines are known for their outstanding athletics. This Big Ten school is known for filling “The Big House”—the largest football stadium in the country—with over 107,000 adoring students, alumni, and fans for games throughout the season. Students at U Michigan embody the phrase “work hard, play hard.”
Learn more about U Michigan and what it takes to get accepted.
2. Michigan State University
Location: East Lansing
Acceptance Rate: 78%
Middle 50% SAT: 1110-1310
Middle 50% ACT: 23-29
Undergrad Enrollment: 39,400
Founded in 1855 as the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan, MSU became the nation’s “premier” land-grant university. In fact, it was the first institution of higher learning to focus on scientific agriculture. Today, the university has expanded its offerings to over 200 programs across 17 colleges. Popular majors include Education, Psychology, Nuclear Physics, Communication, among others. Additionally, MSU is widely known for its Spartans, who compete in NCAA Division I and the Big Ten.
Learn more about Michigan State University and what it takes to get accepted.
3. Kalamazoo College
Location: Kalamazoo
Acceptance Rate: 73%
Middle 50% SAT: 1140-1370
Middle 50% ACT: N/A
Undergrad Enrollment: 1,400
Experiential learning is at the foundation of Kalamazoo’s programs and curriculum. From laboratories to national forests, research facilities to surrounding communities, students have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in real-life contexts. In fact, 71% of students participate in career-development programs. Clearly, they pay off—92% of job seekers are employed six months after graduation.
With its K-Plan, Kalamazoo offers 30 majors across Fine Arts, Humanities, Modern and Classical Languages and Literature, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and Social Sciences. It also has a robust study abroad program across 29 different countries that many students participate in.
Learn more about Kalamazoo College and what it takes to get accepted.
4. Hope College
Location: Holland
Acceptance Rate: 76%
Middle 50% SAT: 1110-1330
Middle 50% ACT: 24-29
Undergrad Enrollment: 3,100
Hope College was founded on Christian principles in 1862, and the liberal arts college continues to adhere to its Christian roots today. The college offers 91 majors, minors, and pre-professional programs and offers flexibility, along with small class sizes that encourage support and mentoring. Additionally, Hope facilitates a large number of internships and study abroad opportunities. The LAC employs a rigorous curriculum, with almost the entire student population participating in experiential learning and finding a job in their field of study post-graduation.
Learn more about Hope College and what it takes to get accepted.
5. Hillsdale College
Location: Hillsdale
Acceptance Rate: 36%
Middle 50% SAT: 1275-1465
Middle 50% ACT: 29-32
Undergrad Enrollment: 1,400
Hillsdale is a Christian, classical liberal arts college that draws students from all 50 states and more than a dozen countries. Originally founded in 1844 by abolitionists, the college operates independently of government funding. Regardless of their major, all students must complete the core curriculum where they study classic literature, physical sciences, and the Constitution. This curriculum is foundational to its two major principles: academic excellence and institutional independence.
Learn more about Hillsdale College and what it takes to get accepted.
6. Calvin University
Location: Grand Rapids
Acceptance Rate: 79%
Middle 50% SAT: 1150-1370
Middle 50% ACT: 23-33
Undergrad Enrollment: 3,600
Founded as Calvin College, the institution expanded to a university, but continues to uphold its Calvinist traditions. Calvin offers undergraduates majors, minors, concentrations, emphases, and pre-professional programs across 10 categories:
- Business
- Communication & Media Studies
- Education
- Fine Arts
- Health Sciences
- Humanities
- Ministry
- Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
- Social Sciences
- World Languages & Cultural Studies
Along with more than 100 additional majors, the university offers top programs in business, engineering, and nursing.
Learn more about Calvin University and what it takes to get accepted.
7. Michigan Technological University
Location: Houghton
Acceptance Rate: 74%
Middle 50% SAT: 1170-1360
Middle 50% ACT: 24-30
Undergrad Enrollment: 5,700
A STEM-focused university, MTU offers more than 125 degree programs that offer students the opportunity to collaborate and research with faculty and industry leaders. But MTU has plenty to offer beyond its academics. For example, it was named the #1 safest college campus in the nation by College Magazine in 2017. It was also ranked the #8 public university in the nation that pays off the most by CNBC in 2019. Meanwhile, Washington Monthly ranks it #5 in the country for its ROTC program. And that’s not to mention the more than 200 broomball teams in action every winter!
Learn more about Michigan Tech and what it takes to get accepted.
8. Kettering University
Location: Flint
Acceptance Rate: 70%
Middle 50% SAT: 1190-1370
Middle 50% ACT: 25-30
Undergrad Enrollment: 1,800
Kettering University combines academic programs in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and business with applied professional experiences to offer students a comprehensive educational experience. Beginning in their first year, students split their time between 11-week academic terms and 12-week co-op terms. These paid co-op opportunities are available in a variety of industries that students can choose from.
Kettering was also the site of the first FIRST Robotics Competition, an international high school competition, in 2014. It has distinguished itself across fields like Applied Biology, Business, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Liberal Studies, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, and Physics. These programs and more are offered to undergraduates in Kettering’s three undergraduate schools: College of Engineering, College of Sciences and Liberal Arts, and the School of Management.
Learn more about Kettering University and what it takes to get accepted.
9. Northwood University
Location: Midland
Acceptance Rate: 68%
Middle 50% SAT: 990-1180
Middle 50% ACT: 19-24
Undergrad Enrollment: 2,800
“We develop free-enterprise leaders who drive global economic and social progress,” says Northwood. A business- and leadership-focused institution, the university offers over 20 concentrations for students pursuing a BBA degree. Northwood University has a combined, four-year bachelor/MBA program, which allows students to graduate with both degrees in just four years. Students also gain hands-on experience through experiential learning and opportunities like internships.
Learn more about Northwood University and what it takes to get accepted.
10. Andrews University
Location: Berrien Springs
Acceptance Rate: 66%
Middle 50% SAT: 1040-1300
Middle 50% ACT: 21-27
Undergrad Enrollment: 1,700
Comprised of the College of Arts & Sciences, College of Education & International Services, College of Health & Human Services, College of Professions, and Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, Andrews University is the first of its kind as a Seventh-day Adventist university. Across these eight schools, there are 130 undergraduate majors and 70 graduate majors offered, along with accelerated combined degree programs. These programs include Architecture, Business, Elementary Education, Physical Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, and many others.
Learn more about Andrews University and what it takes to get accepted.
What Are Your Chances of Acceptance?
Dream of attending one of these colleges in Michigan? Whether you’re interested in a school on this list or another top institution across the country, it’s important you understand your chances of admission. Find out with CollegeVine’s free chancing engine. Not only will this tool estimate your real odds of acceptance, but it will also give you free tips on how to improve your profile.
Our chancing engine can also help you build a balanced school list. By providing you with your odds of acceptance, you can strategically assign safety, target, and reach schools and put yourself in the ideal position to get into a great-fit school. Sign up for your free CollegeVine account today to get started!
