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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Economics in Michigan

17 Ranked Colleges
1,221 Degrees Awarded
$17,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor's in Michigan

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Michigan” ranking.

In 2019-2020, 48,831 people earned their degree in economics, making the major the 18th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, economics graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $47,295 and had an average of $21,978 in loans still to pay off.

Across Michigan, there were 1,402 economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $41,425 and $23,888 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,221 economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $40,161 and $25,915 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Michigan” ranking, we looked at 17 colleges that offer a degree in economics. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great economics programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the economics program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Michigan” list to help you make the college decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Michigan

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Michigan.

Top 17 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Economics in Michigan

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Michigan. This large school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 586 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at U-M, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Michigan” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for U-M is $15,336 for Michigan Bachelor’s Degree Economics students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

#2

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Michigan State University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Michigan. This large school is located in East Lansing, Michigan, and it awarded 316 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Michigan State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Michigan” list. The yearly cost to attend Michigan State is $19,173 for Michigan Bachelor’s Degree Economics students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The low student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Michigan State University Economics Report

#3

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, Michigan

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Grand Valley State University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Michigan list. This large school is located in Allendale, Michigan, and it awarded 20 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our michigan bachelor’s degree economics students list, GVSU has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Michigan” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Grand Valley State University is $17,646 for Michigan Bachelor’s Degree Economics students.

The low student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Grand Valley State University Economics Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Dearborn. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Michigan. UM Dearborn is a public institution located in Dearborn, Michigan. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 27 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UM Dearborn did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Michigan” list. It costs about $11,473 for michigan bachelor’s degree economics students per year to attend University of Michigan - Dearborn.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Michigan - Dearborn Economics Report

#5

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#11 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Western Michigan University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Michigan list. WMU is a fairly large school located in Kalamazoo, Michigan that handed out 10 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

WMU also made our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Michigan” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend Western Michigan University is $19,433 for michigan bachelor’s degree economics students.

Read full report on Economics at WMU

#6

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan

With a ranking of #6, Central Michigan University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Michigan list. Central Michigan University is a fairly large public school situated in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. It awarded 17 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Central Michigan, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Michigan” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Central Michigan is $15,981 for michigan bachelor’s degree economics students.

Full Central Michigan Economics Report

#7

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, Michigan
#13 in overall quality

Oakland University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Michigan ranking. Oakland is a fairly large public school situated in Rochester Hills, Michigan. It awarded 10 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Oakland not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Michigan” list. The estimated yearly cost for Oakland University is $11,802 for michigan bachelor’s degree economics students.

Full Oakland Economics Report

#8

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Michigan ranking. Wayne State University is a large public school situated in Detroit, Michigan. It awarded 36 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our michigan bachelor’s degree economics students list, Wayne State has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Michigan” ranking. It costs about $13,965 for Michigan Bachelor’s Degree Economics students per year to attend Wayne State University.

Full Wayne State Economics Report

University of Michigan - Flint ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Michigan list. UM Flint is located in Flint, Michigan and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 9 bachelors’s economics degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our michigan bachelor’s degree economics students list, UM Flint has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Michigan” ranking. It costs about $12,734 for michigan bachelor’s degree economics students per year to attend UM Flint.

Read full report on Economics at UM Flint

#10

Northern Michigan University

Marquette, Michigan

Northern Michigan University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Michigan list. Northern Michigan University is a medium-sized school located in Marquette, Michigan that handed out 14 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Northern Michigan University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Michigan” list. It costs about $15,453 for michigan bachelor’s degree economics students per year to attend Northern Michigan University.

Full Northern Michigan University Economics Report

#11

Eastern Michigan University

Ypsilanti, Michigan

Eastern Michigan University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Michigan ranking. Eastern Michigan is a fairly large school located in Ypsilanti, Michigan that handed out 19 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Eastern Michigan also took the #17 spot in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Michigan” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Michigan University is $15,924 for Michigan Bachelor’s Degree Economics students.

Read more about Economics at Eastern Michigan

#12

University of Detroit Mercy

Detroit, Michigan
#5 in overall quality

University of Detroit Mercy came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Michigan ranking. Located in Detroit, Michigan, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 18 degrees to qualified bachelors’s economics students in 2019-2020.

Detroit Mercy did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Michigan” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Detroit Mercy is $18,356 for michigan bachelor’s degree economics students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 3.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at Detroit Mercy

#13

Hope College

Holland, Michigan
#3 in overall quality

Hope College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Michigan ranking, coming in at #13. Hope College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Holland, Michigan. It awarded 15 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Hope, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Michigan” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Hope is $26,562 for michigan bachelor’s degree economics students.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Full Hope Economics Report

#14

Aquinas College Michigan

Grand Rapids, Michigan
#9 in overall quality

Aquinas College Michigan landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Michigan ranking. Aquinas College Michigan is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 bachelors’s economics degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our michigan bachelor’s degree economics students list, Aquinas College Michigan has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Michigan” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Aquinas College Michigan is $18,549 for Michigan Bachelor’s Degree Economics students.

Read more about Economics at Aquinas College Michigan

#15

Calvin University

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Calvin University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Michigan ranking, coming in at #15. Calvin University is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 21 bachelors’s economics degrees to qualified students.

Calvin not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Michigan” list. It costs about $26,647 for michigan bachelor’s degree economics students per year to attend Calvin University.

The low student loan default rate of 1.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Economics at Calvin

#16

Kalamazoo College

Kalamazoo, Michigan

With a ranking of #16, Kalamazoo College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Michigan list. This small school is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and it awarded 20 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

K College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Michigan” list. The yearly cost to attend K College is $22,808 for michigan bachelor’s degree economics students.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Kalamazoo College Economics Report

#17

Albion College

Albion, Michigan

With a ranking of #17, Albion College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Michigan list. This small school is located in Albion, Michigan, and it awarded 27 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our michigan bachelor’s degree economics students list, Albion has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Michigan” ranking. It costs about $16,653 for michigan bachelor’s degree economics students per year to attend Albion College.

Full Albion College Economics Report

Notes and References

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%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to pixabay.

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