Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Schools are assigned a value from 1-100, where 100 is best for students from households earning up to $30,000. This value is multiplied by the percentage of the school’s student body that received a Pell Grant, to calculate the economic mobility score. A higher score is better. Read the full explanation
The percentage of a school’s student body that has received a Pell Grant.
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor ranked first and Michigan Technological University ranked second for the best colleges in Michigan.
Students from around the country migrate to the state to take advantage of top law and medical schools. Besides excellent sportsmanship and world-famous alumni, like Earvin “Magic” Johnson, the Michigan State Spartans mascot, Sparty the Spartan, often ranks among the best mascots in the country.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$16,792
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$83,648
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate93%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$16,283
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$78,198
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate74%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$16,196
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$71,030
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate77%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$12,102
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$59,649
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate62%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$19,449
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$67,253
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate83%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$12,614
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$58,612
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate62%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$12,812
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$54,735
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate61%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$10,658
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$53,230
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate49%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$22,567
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$65,590
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate82%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$33,677
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$94,823
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate74%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$17,331
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$58,799
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate68%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$14,630
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$55,874
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate66%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$17,921
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$59,058
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate72%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$14,055
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$53,493
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate56%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$15,545
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$56,118
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate69%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$23,943
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$63,075
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate70%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$11,561
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$51,955
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate53%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$22,724
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$57,529
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate63%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$23,985
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$58,427
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate75%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$23,621
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$58,375
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate75%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not displayed.
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Average income based on education level
The average salaries in Michigan for each level of education are listed below. These figures come from College Scorecard, an initiative of the Department of Education to make education data more accessible to the public, and IPEDS.
Average Income
The average income of people in this state with a high-school diploma, certificate, associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or master’s degree, 10 years after enrollment, based on 2021-2022 CSC data.
HS Diploma$35,865
Certificate$43,330
Associate$48,901
Bachelor$57,309
Master$71,863
Cost of attending college in Michigan
In-state-tuition$23,229
The average in-state tuition, before financial aid, of all 4-year institutions in the state. Includes public, private, online, on-campus, non-profit, and for-profit institutions. Based on 2021-2022 CSC data.
Out-of-state-tuition$26,761
The average tuition for out-of-state students, before financial aid of all 4-year institutions in the state. Includes public, private, online, on-campus, non-profit, and for-profit institutions. Based on 2021-2022 CSC data.
Most popular degrees in Michigan
In Michigan, the most popular degrees are Marine Transportation., Systems Engineering, and Computer Programming. By most popular, we mean that these programs have the most graduates annually (bachelor’s and master’s level) in the state. Data comes from College Scorecard and IPEDS.
Popular degrees
1Business Administration 6,751graduates
2Registered Nursing 4,706graduates
3General Psychology 2,573graduates
4Biology 2,527graduates
5Computer and Information Sciences 2,501graduates
6Mechanical Engineering 2,182graduates
7Health & Fitness 2,107graduates
8Social Work 2,072graduates
9Accounting 1,852graduates
10Marketing 1,770graduates
Fastest growing careers
Michigan job growth
8.8%
Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers
78.6%
Nurse Practitioners
50.9%
Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors
38%
Occupational Therapy Assistants
37.5%
Dental Laboratory Technicians
35.4%
Statisticians
35.3%
Epidemiologists
33.3%
Physician Assistants
31.9%
Medical and Health Services Managers
31.5%
Physical Therapist Assistants
30.6%
Best bachelor’s degrees in Michigan
These majors are most likely to pay off economically after graduation.
Higher ed is supposed to act as an economic elevator that lifts students from low-income households into the middle class. But not all colleges do this: unfortunately, many of the nation’s most “prestigious” schools accept very few students from low-income backgrounds.
To determine what colleges are doing the best job at lifting the most students out of poverty, we have devised a Social Mobility Index (SMI).
The best colleges for social mobility in Michigan are shown below.
Bachelor's degree holders or higher
29.7%
Filters
Michigan
8.8%
