Michigan is one of the greatest states in the nation. It's home to the automobile industry that brought us into a truly modern era and it's been the home of innovation and advancement ever since. To fuel that progress, Michigan colleges and universities have risen up to provide the skills and knowledge needed for it to continue. The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, for instance, is one of the nation's very best institutes of higher learning. Scholars from the University of Michigan have gone on to propel businesses in Michigan, Chicago, New York, and wherever innovation and high profits reign. The other schools in the University of Michigan system, as well as the many other Michigan public and private colleges, contribute their fair share to building a state and nation dedicated to progress.
What are the most popular bachelor's degrees offered in Michigan?
In Michigan, bachelor's degrees are available in a wide spectrum of fields. You can study engineering and go on to design cars for the automobile industry, or you could help run a corporation as a manager or financial genius. Health Sciences are also very popular, as are majors that feed the business world.
Keep in mind that just because business and medical-related majors dominate the scene that doesn't mean you can't study what you wish. Don't forget that nationwide, Health Administration is a popular major, where you can employ business acumen to the healthcare sector. You could also study Political Science and work in the Michigan statehouse, or even in Washington DC as a lobbyist, policy analyst, or even intelligence. Nevertheless, here are the top majors in Michigan:
Michigan withstood some rather tough economic times in the early 2000s, but it appears to have rebounded nicely. With the return to strength in the automotive sector, among others, the state is again in the top ten in many areas. For instance, Michigan is said to rank #1 for engineers, #3 for durable goods manufacturing, and #7 for manufacturing output. Currently, Michigan's unemployment rate is 3.9%, slightly above the national average of 3.7%.
Top Accounting Careers and Salaries
CAREER NAME
CURRENTLY EMPLOYED
AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY
Tax Preparers
1,070
$45,200
IRS Agent
620
$78,000
Financial Adviser
5,320
$59,800
Financial Manager
15,040
$92,600
Consultant
13,540
$74,600
Tax Preparers: As tax accountant or preparer, you will need a full working knowledge of IRS tax forms, as well as the tax code in general. You will show real worth to clients when you find new deductions for them. With a CPA license, you will have more responsibility and can sign off on tax documents, help create tax shelters, and more.
IRS Agent: This is a great career to pursue straight out of college. You will assess tax documents, perform audits, and otherwise enforce the US Tax Code. If you are getting ready to graduate with a degree in accounting and have student loan debt, if you work for a government agency you can defer loans and have them discharged.
Financial Adviser: Everyone wants to save money for a rainy day, including retirement. As a financial adviser, you will work with clients in the service of creating real wealth with their savings. You might assist with equity purchases, structure trust funds, or consult on strategic asset purchases designed to build wealth and value in their portfolio.
Financial Manager: Corporations need Financial Managers to help them allocate assets in ways that help the organization build value while also reducing tax exposure. You will structure debt to help avoid taxation and create long-term financial plans for the company.
Consultant: Accountants are experts at a few things, one of which is efficiency. When you graduate, you will be able to assess systems and audit them for inefficiencies. Your studies will show you how to comb through the ledgers and weigh a variety of variables to help your client find a better way of doing business.
Best Michigan Schools for Accounting
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
Western Michigan University
Michigan State
Northern Michigan University
Top Careers in Business Administration - Management
CAREER NAME
CURRENTLY EMPLOYED
AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY
Cost Estimators
6,910
$56,800
Sales Managers
9,440
$61,600
Industrial and Production Managers
12,820
$72,400
Logistician
8,280
$66,700
Construction Managers
5,090
$78,000
Cost Estimators: Whether you're contracting to paint a house or build a skyscraper, you need an estimate from which to determine a budget. In this career, you will assess the value of projects and their projected costs. Since investors will base their participation on your numbers, you will need specialized training.
Sales Managers: After spending several years in the sales field, you might decide to move inside to work as a sales team leader. Your days will be comprised of motivating the sales team, helping them discover new leads, and perhaps assisting when new salespeople need help closing a deal.
Industrial and Production Managers: If you study management with a minor in engineering, you might consider this position. You could work with the teams running the assembly lines in one of Michigan's famed automotive plants.
Logistician: Have you ever tracked a package on its way from overseas to your home? Logisticians do that, plus they discover new routes and assess methodologies for shipping resources and products worldwide. You could work with a shipping company or with an import/export company that relies on you to assess the best ways to send or receive goods.
Construction Managers: In a construction project, there are many moving parts. As a manager, you will need to coordinate all of those parts, from whole teams to the actions of single workers. Your job will take you to worksites all over your region, or perhaps all over the nation.
Best Michigan Schools for Business Administration
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Michigan State University
Western Michigan
Wayne State University
Michigan Technological University
Top Health Sciences Careers and Salaries
CAREER NAME
CURRENTLY EMPLOYED
AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY
Occupational Therapist
4,620
$66,600
Physical Therapist
8,060
$71,500
Radiology Technician
6,750
$48,300
Registered Nurse
96,900
$65,500
Nurse Practitioner
4,840
$97,600
Occupational Therapist: This is one of the most diversified careers in Health Science. Your work life can proceed in a variety of settings, including private practice, a hospital ward, or even overseas. Ultimately, your job will be to help your patients overcome obstacles to lead their best life.
Physical Therapist: Your primary duty as a Physical Therapist will be to help patients regain, or attain, full mobility. They might have been injured in traumatic automobile accidents or perhaps they are recovering from a stroke.
Radiology Technician: In order to make a proper diagnosis, doctors frequently order MRIs, CT Scans, or PET scans. That's where you come in. You will operate the machine and walk patients through the process of such an examination.
Registered Nurse: RNs are the backbone of every hospital staff. In this job, you will work with doctors and patients to deliver optimal care. This career opens up a wide range of possibilities, as you could work as a Psychiatric Nurse, Maternity Nurse, or an OR Nurse, among other possibilities. You are likely to wear many hats throughout your career.
Nurse Practitioner: Somewhere between a full MD and an RN lies the Nurse Practitioner. In this position, you can perform most of the tasks of a fully-licensed Medical Doctor, but without the legal liability. That is, you will work under a doctor's license when you perform examinations and write prescriptions.
Best Michigan Schools for Health Sciences
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
Western Michigan University
Ferris State University
Wayne State University
Top Finance Careers and Salaries
CAREER NAME
CURRENTLY EMPLOYED
AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY
Financial Analyst
9,580
$61,500
Stockbroker
9,010
$58,100
Financial Examiner
450
$64,900
Financial Manager
15,040
$92,600
Actuary
740
$95,300
Financial Analyst: With a degree in finance and/or accounting, you work for a company or financial institution to analyze financial statements and help the organization avoid tax exposure while building on assets to create more wealth. You might help procure equity securities or other assets, or you might look for places to cut payroll.
Stockbroker: As a sales agent for equities, commodities, and other financial instruments, you will assist individuals and organizations with their overall financial well-being. When not working directly with clients, you will study the market to assess the best moves for your existing clients as well as discovering the best moves for people entering the market for the first time.
Financial Examiner: Sometimes this career is called Risk Management, as you will need a working knowledge of law so that your firm remains in compliance. To prepare for this job you might study Finance/Accounting but also Business Law. You might find yourself working for a financial institution, your state government, even the federal government.
Financial Manager: In this position, you will train and oversee a team of financial analysts. You could work for a small business or perhaps in corporate finance. With the results of your team, you will advise the company on how to maintain optimum financial health and well-being.
Actuary: Your job as an actuary will be to assess risk for an organization. This career path is most often associated with Insurance, as that industry is concerned with avoiding risk so as to avoid additional expenditures. You'll need a strong background in mathematics and accounting to pursue this rewarding career path.
Best Michigan Schools for Finance
Kettering University
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
Michigan State
Western Michigan
Wayne State
Top Marketing Careers and Salaries
CAREER NAME
CURRENTLY EMPLOYED
AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY
Market Research Analyst
18,840
$54,600
Marketing Managers
4,510
$66,000
Sales Managers
9,440
$61,600
Advertising Account Rep
500
$48,300
Public Relations
6,270
$49,500
Market Research Analyst: Every firm needs to understand the market data it collects from focus groups, interviews, and surveys, among other sources. They need market research analysts to parse it all with the goal of directing sales and advertising strategies.
Marketing Managers: As a marketing manager, you will head up marketing initiatives and projects focused on enhancing sales for your company. You might work with a team of research analysts who, under your lead, put together presentations for the C-level executives. You can also brief the sales team with the information you found regarding new products or shifting demographics in their territory.
Sales Managers: If you are a born leader, love working with people, and know what motivates people to work harder and smarter, then Sales Manager is a great aspiration for you. You will probably start in the field, selling wares for your company. When you have experience, you might be charged with leading the sales team.
Advertising Account Representative: Your job in this position will be to help land clients for an advertising agency and then coordinate between the clients and your creative team. You will need to translate the needs of your client to the creatives, and then present their creations to the client.
Public Relations: Your job in this position will be to manage the public profile of your client. You might work with an organization, such as a major corporation, or an individual. You job may entail analyzing survey data to determine what people think of your client, but then sending out press releases, arranging events, and more to keep the client's profile strong and positive.
Are you interested in a career that requires vocational training? Or maybe you are looking for an affordable way to complete all your general education requirements before pursuing a bachelor’s degree. Either way, you might want to consider applying for a two-year degree program, and where better to start than with the best programs available in Michigan? You can gain the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in your preferred field in just two years, or transfer the credits earned to another institution in the future.
MIAT College of Technology
College Type 2-year, Private for-profit
Campus Housing No
Student Population 1,082
Graduation Rate 66%
Net Price $15,846
Career Quest Learning Center-Mt. Pleasant
College Type 2-year, Private for-profit
Campus Housing No
Student Population NA
Graduation Rate 57%
Net Price $23,950
Career Quest Learning Centers-Lansing
College Type 2-year, Private for-profit
Campus Housing No
Student Population NA
Graduation Rate 57%
Net Price $26,424
Montcalm Community College
College Type 2-year, Public
Campus Housing No
Student Population 1,529
Graduation Rate 39%
Net Price $6,619
Alpena Community College
College Type 4-year, Primarily associate's, Public
Gain the knowledge and skills you need to enter the field of your dreams after graduation by choosing one of these top-rated undergraduate colleges in Michigan. These four-year bachelor’s degree programs are some of the finest higher education options available. Whether you intend to join the workforce immediately or plan to earn a more advanced degree, enrolling in one of the best colleges in the state will prepare you for future academic and career advancement.
You can enhance your employment prospects by considering earning a master’s degree in Michigan. Graduate and doctoral degree programs offer a wide variety of benefits to graduates, who often make more money, qualify for career advancement opportunities, and enjoy enhanced job security after they graduate. Regardless of your field of interest, choosing to pursue an advanced degree from a top college in the state will set you up for great future success.
