2023 Most Popular Schools in Michigan
There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which program is right 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.
The Most Popular Schools in Michigan ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 151 schools in Michigan to see which programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
Featured schools near , edit
Most Popular Schools in Michigan
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named University of Michigan - Ann Arbor the most popular school in Michigan for students working on their degree. U-M is a public institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 15,915 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $17,682 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $419, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, U-M graduates make an average of $58,051 annually. Around 51% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Michigan State University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Schools in Michigan list. Michigan State University is a large public school located in East Lansing, Michigan that handed out 13,487 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Michigan State accumulate an average of $24,447 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $428 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Michigan State graduates make an average of $47,302 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Wayne State University. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Michigan list. This large public school is located in Detroit, Michigan, and it awarded 7,239 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Wayne State accumulate an average of $28,531 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $173. During the early years of their career, Wayne State graduates make an average of $48,414 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Grand Valley State University. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Michigan list. Located in Allendale, Michigan, the large public school awarded 6,502 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from GVSU accumulate an average of $25,527 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $243 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, GVSU graduates make an average of $43,501 annually. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Central Michigan University. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Michigan list. Located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, the fairly large public school handed out 5,662 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,288 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $251.After graduating from Central Michigan, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,509 during the early years of their career. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
Western Michigan University landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the fairly large public school awarded 5,153 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,986 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $269. Once they receive their degree, WMU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,765 during the early year of their career. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
Oakland University ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Michigan list. Oakland is a fairly large public school situated in Rochester Hills, Michigan. It awarded 4,697 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,781 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $174 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Oakland, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,418 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.
With a ranking of #8, Eastern Michigan University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. This fairly large public school is located in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and it awarded 4,425 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $29,932 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $160, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Eastern Michigan graduates make an average of $43,401 annually. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #9, Ferris State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Ferris State University is a fairly large public school located in Big Rapids, Michigan that handed out 3,575 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,330 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $189. Once they receive their degree, Ferris graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,887 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
Washtenaw Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Michigan list. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the fairly large public school awarded 3,159 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $20,323 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Washtenaw Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,288 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
Macomb Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Michigan ranking. This fairly large public school is located in Warren, Michigan, and it awarded 2,648 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,351 in student loans.After graduating from Macomb Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,546 during the early years of their career. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Michigan - Dearborn ranked #12 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Michigan list. UM Dearborn is located in Dearborn, Michigan and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,451 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,473 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $213 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UM Dearborn graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $53,986 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 47% were women.
Oakland Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Michigan ranking. This fairly large public school is located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and it awarded 2,273 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Oakland Community College accumulate an average of $19,359 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Oakland Community College graduates make an average of $38,470 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
Lansing Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #14 on the list. Located in Lansing, Michigan, the fairly large public school handed out 2,144 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $18,287 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, LCC graduates make an average of $45,008 annually. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #15, Baker College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Owosso, Michigan is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 1,905 students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Baker College accumulate an average of $30,021 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $86 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Baker College graduates make an average of $41,022 annually. Around 70% of those degree recipients were women.
Michigan Technological University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Michigan ranking. Michigan Technological University is a medium-sized public school located in Houghton, Michigan that handed out 1,820 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Michigan Tech accumulate an average of $24,749 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $294, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Michigan Tech, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $60,470 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 28% were women.
With a ranking of #17, Saginaw Valley State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Saginaw Valley State University is located in University Center, Michigan and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,699 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,456 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $179. Once they receive their degree, Saginaw Valley State University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,305 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 68% were women.
With a ranking of #18, Grand Rapids Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the fairly large public school handed out 1,695 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Grand Rapids Community College accumulate an average of $15,385 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Grand Rapids Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,054 during the early years of their career. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
Northern Michigan University landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Northern Michigan University is a public institution located in Marquette, Michigan. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,692 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,035 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $205 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Northern Michigan University graduates make an average of $33,476 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
University of Michigan - Flint landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. UM Flint is a medium-sized public school situated in Flint, Michigan. It awarded 1,674 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $31,408 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, UM Flint graduates make an average of $46,976 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 69% were women.
University of Detroit Mercy came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Michigan ranking. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Detroit, Michigan, and it awarded 1,635 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $32,785 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $316. During the early years of their career, Detroit Mercy graduates make an average of $64,174 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
Davenport University landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 1,579 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $33,211 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $189, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Davenport University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,918 during the early year of their career. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
Henry Ford College ranked #23 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Michigan list. Henry Ford College is a fairly large public school located in Dearborn, Michigan that handed out 1,480 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,475 in student loans.After graduating from Henry Ford College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,713 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
Schoolcraft College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Michigan ranking. Schoolcraft College is a medium-sized public school located in Livonia, Michigan that handed out 1,323 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Schoolcraft College accumulate an average of $18,481 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Schoolcraft College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $30,604 during the early years of their career. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
Mott Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #25 on the list. Located in Flint, Michigan, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,205 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from MCC accumulate an average of $21,408 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, MCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,931 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.
View Most Popular Schools Nationwide >
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | Delta College | University Center, MI |
| 27 | Spring Arbor University | Spring Arbor, MI |
| 28 | Madonna University | Livonia, MI |
| 29 | Calvin University | Grand Rapids, MI |
| 30 | Northwood University | Midland, MI |
| 31 | Wayne County Community College District | Detroit, MI |
Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 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.
Featured Schools
Request Info
|
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.