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Best Value Graduate Certificate Schools in Michigan

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2023 Best Value Graduate Certificate Schools in Michigan

Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing

17 Schools Ranked
$25,047 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$26,713 Avg Student Debt*

With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools and bootcamps that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Value Graduate Certificate Schools in Michigan ranking. Our analysis looked at 17 schools in Michigan to see which graduate certificate programs offered the best value experiences for students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.

Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.

In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.

Top Value Graduate Certificate Schools in Michigan

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Ferris State University

Big Rapids, Michigan
41 Total Awards
$8,232 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named Ferris State University the best value school in Michigan for students working on their graduate certificate. Located in Big Rapids, Michigan, the fairly large public school awarded 41 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Ferris are $8,232 per year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at Ferris. In 2019-2020 about 67% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Ferris not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #5 on our Best Graduate Certificate Schools in Michigan list.

Full Ferris State University Report

#2

University of Michigan - Dearborn

Dearborn, Michigan
7 Total Awards
$25,552 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of Michigan - Dearborn. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Graduate Certificate Schools in Michigan list. UM Dearborn is a public institution located in Dearborn, Michigan. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 7 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

UM Dearborn graduate students pay an average of $25,552 in tuition and fees each year.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at UM Dearborn. In 2019-2020 about 88% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

UM Dearborn did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our Best Graduate Certificate Schools in Michigan list.

Read More…

#3

Michigan Technological University

Houghton, Michigan
103 Total Awards
$22,981 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Michigan Technological University is a great place for students working on their graduate certificate who want the most bang for their educational buck. This medium-sized public school is located in Houghton, Michigan, and it awarded 103 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Michigan Tech graduate students pay an average of $22,981 in tuition and fees each year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Michigan Tech does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 30% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Michigan Tech did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our Best Graduate Certificate Schools in Michigan list.

Read full report on Michigan Technological University

19 Total Awards
$18,747 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent graduate certificate programs at University of Michigan - Flint helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value schools in Michigan. Flint, Michigan is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out graduate certificates to 19 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at UM Flint are $18,747 a year.

One thing to take note of is that UM Flint does offer online graduate classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 63% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full University of Michigan - Flint Report

#5

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
257 Total Awards
$38,638 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 17 schools in Michigan that were part of this year’s value ranking, Michigan State University landed the # 5 spot on the list. East Lansing, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out graduate certificates to 257 students in 2020-2021.

Michigan State graduate students pay an average of $38,638 in tuition and fees each year.

Michigan State does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 65% took at least some of their classes online.

Michigan State also took the #3 spot in our Best Graduate Certificate Schools in Michigan rankings.

Read More…

#6

Baker College

Owosso, Michigan
5 Total Awards
$12,750 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #6, Baker College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their graduate certificate. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Owosso, Michigan, and it awarded 5 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Baker College are $12,750 a year. Graduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $46,807 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at Baker College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 87% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#7

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan
130 Total Awards
$15,644 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #7, Central Michigan University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their graduate certificate. Central Michigan is located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 130 graduate certificates to qualified students.

Central Michigan graduate students pay an average of $15,644 in tuition and fees each year.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at Central Michigan. In 2019-2020 about 61% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#8

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, Michigan
61 Total Awards
$17,904 Average Tuition & Fees

Grand Valley State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Graduate Certificate Schools in Michigan list. Grand Valley State University is a large public school located in Allendale, Michigan that handed out 61 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at GVSU are $17,904 per year.

GVSU does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 73% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Grand Valley State University

#8

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
293 Total Awards
$50,464 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Graduate Certificate Schools in Michigan list. U-M is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 293 graduate certificates to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at U-M are $50,464 a year. By the time they get their graduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,014 in student loans.

U-M does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 74% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

U-M also took the #2 spot in our Best Graduate Certificate Schools in Michigan rankings.

Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Report

#10

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
64 Total Awards
$26,248 Average Tuition & Fees

Western Michigan University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #10 on the list. Kalamazoo, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out graduate certificates to 64 students in 2020-2021.

WMU graduate students pay an average of $26,248 in tuition and fees each year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at WMU. In fact, around 67% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#11

Lawrence Technological University

Southfield, Michigan
16 Total Awards
$18,436 Average Tuition & Fees

Lawrence Technological University landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value graduate certificate programs. Southfield, Michigan is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out graduate certificates to 16 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Lawrence Tech are $18,436 a year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Lawrence Tech does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 95% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Lawrence Technological University

#12

Madonna University

Livonia, Michigan
60 Total Awards
$16,380 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #12, Madonna University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their graduate certificate. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Livonia, Michigan, and it awarded 60 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Madonna are $16,380 per year.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at Madonna. In fact, around 69% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Madonna University

#13

Eastern Michigan University

Ypsilanti, Michigan
107 Total Awards
$28,818 Average Tuition & Fees

Eastern Michigan University landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value graduate certificate programs. Eastern Michigan University is a fairly large public school located in Ypsilanti, Michigan that handed out 107 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Eastern Michigan are $28,818 per year.

Eastern Michigan does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 93% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Eastern Michigan University Report

#14

University of Detroit Mercy

Detroit, Michigan
64 Total Awards
$21,276 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #14, University of Detroit Mercy did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their graduate certificate. Located in Detroit, Michigan, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 64 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Detroit Mercy are $21,276 per year.

One thing to take note of is that Detroit Mercy does offer online graduate classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 74% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full University of Detroit Mercy Report

#15

Davenport University

Grand Rapids, Michigan
93 Total Awards
$17,208 Average Tuition & Fees

Davenport University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Graduate Certificate Schools in Michigan ranking. Davenport University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It awarded 93 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Davenport University graduate students pay an average of $17,208 in tuition and fees each year.

One thing to take note of is that Davenport University does offer online graduate classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 96% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#16

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, Michigan
85 Total Awards
$24,648 Average Tuition & Fees

Oakland University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Graduate Certificate Schools in Michigan ranking. Rochester Hills, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out graduate certificates to 85 students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Oakland are $24,648 per year.

Online graduate courses are available at Oakland, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 88% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full Oakland University Report

#17

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
199 Total Awards
$38,667 Average Tuition & Fees

Wayne State University landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value graduate certificate programs. Wayne State is a public institution located in Detroit, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 199 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Wayne State graduate students pay an average of $38,667 in tuition and fees each year.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at Wayne State. In fact, around 75% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Wayne State University Report

Best Value Graduate Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 17 schools only.

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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