2026 Best Best Schools in Michigan
Best is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their best programs.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools to find the best for best students.
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Best Schools for Best in Michigan
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the best degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Best
Central Michigan University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in best. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. There were roughly 46 best students who graduated with this degree at Central Michigan University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $56,767. Central Michigan University graduates carry a median of $27,500 in student loans.
See the full best program report for Central Michigan University
Oakland University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in best, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Oakland University awarded about 23 best degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $55,254 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,972 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in best from Oakland University
Students looking for a strong best program will find one at Grand Valley State University, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 49 best students who graduated with this degree at Grand Valley State University in the most recent data year. Best graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $46,843 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,697.
Read more about the best program at Grand Valley State University
Northern Michigan University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Located in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 best degrees were awarded at Northern Michigan University in the most recent year. Students who receive their best degree from Northern Michigan University earn around $40,508 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,608.
See the full best program report for Northern Michigan University
Wayne State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 27 best degrees were awarded at Wayne State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the best program make about $50,539 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $30,750 to complete this degree.
Read more about the best program at Wayne State University
Western Michigan University placed #6 among the best best schools. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. About 58% of students finish within six years. Western Michigan University awarded about 14 best degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $58,501 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,981 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in best from Western Michigan University
Eastern Michigan University placed #7 among the best best schools. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. Eastern Michigan University graduates 46% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 best students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Michigan University in the most recent data year. Best graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $60,337 early in their careers. Eastern Michigan University graduates carry a median of $28,781 in student loans.
See the full best program report for Eastern Michigan University
University Of Michigan Flint ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Located in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public university. University Of Michigan Flint graduates 40% of students within six years. University Of Michigan Flint awarded about 11 best degrees in the most recent data year. Best graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $62,493 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $31,016 to complete this degree.
Get the full best details for University Of Michigan Flint
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 14 schools evaluated.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
