2026 Best Value Graduate Degrees Schools in Michigan
Looking for the best-value Graduate Degrees degree programs in Michigan? We have ranked 160 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Grad Degree evaluated 23 schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Michigan
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Our analysis found Ferris State University to be the best-value Graduate Degrees school in Michigan. Based in Big Rapids, MI, Ferris State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Ferris State University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $23,562 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,735 ten years after entry. Set against $23,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%. See the full Ferris State University profile
Out of the 23 schools in Michigan in this year's value ranking, Spring Arbor University landed the #2 spot. Spring Arbor University is a private not-for-profit school based in Spring Arbor, MI. In-state tuition and fees average $34,014. Graduates carry a median of $28,268 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $51,732. Set against $28,268 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Spring Arbor University report
You'll get strong value at University Of Michigan Dearborn, which ranked #3 this year. Set in Dearborn, MI, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Graduates carry a median of $26,516 in student loans. University Of Michigan Dearborn alumni report median earnings of $59,649 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,516 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted. Get the full University Of Michigan Dearborn report
Out of the 23 schools in Michigan in this year's value ranking, University Of Michigan Flint landed the #4 spot. University Of Michigan Flint is a public school based in Flint, MI. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,236, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $31,016. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,230. That is a strong return on a $31,016 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Michigan Flint profile
You'll get strong value at Michigan State University, which ranked #5 this year. Set in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $25,213. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $67,253. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%. See the full Michigan State University profile
Concordia University Ann Arbor ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Concordia University Ann Arbor is a private not-for-profit school based in Ann Arbor, MI. In-state tuition and fees average $35,410. Concordia University Ann Arbor Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $27,584 in debt. Concordia University Ann Arbor alumni report median earnings of $56,075 a decade after entry. Set against $27,584 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Concordia University Ann Arbor has an acceptance rate of 69%. See the full Concordia University Ann Arbor profile
Northern Michigan University came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Marquette, MI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,322, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $22,608. Median earnings reach $47,107 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $22,608 median debt. About 84% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Northern Michigan University report
Saginaw Valley State University offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Set in University Center, MI, Saginaw Valley State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Graduates carry a median of $28,091 in student loans. Saginaw Valley State University alumni report median earnings of $51,955 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saginaw Valley State University has an acceptance rate of 72%. Read the full report on Saginaw Valley State University
Michigan Technological University came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Michigan Technological University is a public school based in Houghton, MI. In-state tuition and fees run about $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,800 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,198. That is a strong return on a $25,800 median debt. About 92% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Michigan Technological University report
Central Michigan University offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. Located in Mount Pleasant, MI, Central Michigan University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Students borrow a median of $27,857 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Central Michigan University alumni report median earnings of $55,874 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,857 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%. Read more about Central Michigan University
Lawrence Technological University placed #11 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Michigan. This private not-for-profit school is set in Southfield, MI. In-state tuition and fees run about $44,760. Lawrence Technological University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $27,799 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $69,151. Set against $27,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lawrence Technological University has an acceptance rate of 56%. See the full Lawrence Technological University profile
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public school based in Ann Arbor, MI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $19,137. Median earnings reach $83,648 ten years out. Set against $19,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor has an acceptance rate of 16%. Read the full report on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Grand Valley State University placed #13 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Michigan. Based in Allendale, MI, Grand Valley State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Grand Valley State University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $26,378 in debt. Median earnings reach $56,118 ten years out. Set against $26,378 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted. More on Grand Valley State University
Baker College Of Flint placed #13 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Michigan. Based in Owosso, MI, Baker College Of Flint is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,000. Graduates carry a median of $30,688 in student loans. Baker College Of Flint alumni report median earnings of $35,833 a decade after entry. Set against $30,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Baker College Of Flint admits about 82% of applicants. More on Baker College Of Flint
Western Michigan University came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. Set in Kalamazoo, MI, Western Michigan University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $27,981. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $53,562. Set against $27,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%. Get the full Western Michigan University report
Oakland University came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Rochester Hills, MI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $25,972. Oakland University alumni report median earnings of $58,612 a decade after entry. Set against $25,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 88% of those who apply are admitted. More on Oakland University
Eastern Michigan University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Set in Ypsilanti, MI, Eastern Michigan University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $28,781. Median earnings reach $51,793 ten years out. Set against $28,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 80% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Eastern Michigan University
University Of Detroit Mercy landed the #18 spot for value in Michigan this year. Located in Detroit, MI, University Of Detroit Mercy is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,946. Students borrow a median of $29,053 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $71,030. Set against $29,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 75% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Detroit Mercy report
Madonna University placed #19 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Michigan. This private not-for-profit school is set in Livonia, MI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,440. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $26,896. Madonna University alumni report median earnings of $59,058 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Madonna University
Wayne State University came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Located in Detroit, MI, Wayne State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $26,689. Median earnings reach $53,493 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 81% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Wayne State University
Cornerstone University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Cornerstone University is a private not-for-profit school based in Grand Rapids, MI. In-state tuition and fees run about $23,000. Cornerstone University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $29,243 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,314. Set against $29,243 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 78% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Cornerstone University profile
Davenport University landed the #22 spot for value in Michigan this year. Based in Grand Rapids, MI, Davenport University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $24,466 in tuition and fees. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $30,603. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $45,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Davenport University has an acceptance rate of 98%. More on Davenport University
Andrews University placed #23 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Michigan. Set in Berrien Springs, MI, Andrews University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $35,056. Students borrow a median of $26,314 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,187. Set against $26,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%. More on Andrews University
Irenes Myomassology Institute came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. See the full Irenes Myomassology Institute profile
Empire Beauty School Michigan placed #25 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Michigan. More on Empire Beauty School Michigan
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Michigan
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Hillsdale Beauty College offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. Read the full report on Hillsdale Beauty College
Sacred Heart Major Seminary landed the #27 spot for value in Michigan this year. See the full Sacred Heart Major Seminary profile
Chamberlain University Michigan placed #28 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Michigan. Read the full report on Chamberlain University Michigan
Paul Mitchell The School Michigan placed #29 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Michigan. Get the full Paul Mitchell The School Michigan report
Ross Medical Education Center Saginaw ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. See the full Ross Medical Education Center Saginaw profile
Ross Medical Education Center Kalamazoo offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. Read the full report on Ross Medical Education Center Kalamazoo
Cleary University ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. See the full Cleary University profile
Dorsey Business Schools Dearborn offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. Get the full Dorsey Business Schools Dearborn report
Dorsey College Woodhaven placed #34 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Michigan. More on Dorsey College Woodhaven
French Academy Of Cosmetology placed #35 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Michigan. Read the full report on French Academy Of Cosmetology
Great Lakes Christian College landed the #36 spot for value in Michigan this year. See the full Great Lakes Christian College profile
Aquinas College Michigan ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read the full report on Aquinas College Michigan
Lakewood School Of Therapeutic Massage came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Lakewood School Of Therapeutic Massage
Macomb Community College ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. See the full Macomb Community College profile
Panda Scholars Beauty School landed the #40 spot for value in Michigan this year. Get the full Panda Scholars Beauty School report
Yeshiva Gedolah Of Greater Detroit ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. More on Yeshiva Gedolah Of Greater Detroit
Dands School Of Cosmetology offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. Read more about Dands School Of Cosmetology
Kuyper College
Kuyper College landed the #43 spot for value in Michigan this year. Read the full report on Kuyper College
Paul Mitchell The School Great Lakes placed #44 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Michigan. Read more about Paul Mitchell The School Great Lakes
Western Michigan University Homer Stryker Md School Of Medicine landed the #45 spot for value in Michigan this year. Read the full report on Western Michigan University Homer Stryker Md School Of Medicine
Ross Medical Education Center Ann Arbor placed #46 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Michigan. More on Ross Medical Education Center Ann Arbor
Delta College
Delta College came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Delta College
Kalamazoo Valley Community College placed #48 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Michigan. Read the full report on Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Get the full Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College report
Alpena Community College ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Get the full Alpena Community College report
More Graduate Degrees Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 23 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 160 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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