Here Are The Best MI Colleges, According To New Rankings

MICHIGAN — University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is the best college in Michigan, according to rankings released Monday by Niche, a college ranking and review platform. In all, 20 colleges in Michigan were ranked among the best.

Niche said its 2024 Best Colleges Rankings reflect the declining importance of SAT and ACT scores and the increasing importance prospective students and their families place on value and economic mobility — that is, the ability of students to improve their economic status after graduation.

The platform evaluated 4,048 public and private four-year colleges nationwide and developed separate lists for the best academics value, food, dorms and college life.

The top five colleges in Michigan are:

1. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Overall Niche grade: A+
Acceptance rate: 20 percent
Net price: $19,205
SAT range: 1340-1520

2. Michigan State University
Overall Niche grade: A
Acceptance rate: 83 percent
Net price: $8,738
SAT range: 1100-1320

3. Michigan Technological University
Overall Niche grade: A
Acceptance rate: 86 percent
Net price: $17,826
SAT range: 1130-1350

4. Wayne State University
Overall Niche grade: A-
Acceptance rate: 63 percent
Net price: $15,710
SAT range: 1030-1260

5. Andrews University
Overall Niche grade: A-
Acceptance rate: 82 percent
Net price: $23,719
SAT range: 1050-1300

Other Michigan schools ranked by Niche are found on the website.

6. Hope College

7. University of Michigan-Dearborn

8. Calvin University

9. Grand Valley State University

10. Central Michigan University

11. Kalamazoo University

12. Madonna University

13. Spring Arbor University

14. Oakland University

15. University of Detroit-Mercy

16.Western Michigan University

17. Saginaw Valley State University

18. Northwood University - Midland

19. Ferris State University

20. Lawerence Technological University

To rank the schools, Niche analyzed data from the U.S. Department of Education along with reviews and ratings from current students, alumni and parents. The new economic mobility index takes into account the percentage of students receiving Pell Grants, the net tuition price for students from low-income households and the median earnings of those students six years after they get their first post-graduation jobs.

The top schools nationwide are, respectively: Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut;

Stanford University, Stanford, California; Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge; Harvard University, Cambridge; and Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey.

The best value colleges are, respectively, Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, California; Stanford University; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; California Institute of Technology, Pasadena; and Clarmont-McKenna College.