Best Online Colleges in Michigan
for 2023

Get Matched With Michigan Programs

Are you thinking about attending an online college in Michigan? The state is home to many academic institutions that offer remote learning programs. Students can choose from a wide variety of degree programs at the associate, bachelor’s, and master’s levels. Some schools even offer online PhD and doctorate degrees in some subject areas.

Enrolling in an online degree program in Michigan can be very rewarding and professionally beneficial. Employment opportunities will ultimately depend on the type of degree earned, but graduates are generally more competitive in the job market, especially when compared to candidates who lack higher education. Individuals with degrees are often perceived as better qualified and capable in the workplace, which can offer a greater sense of security and may lead to more advancement opportunities. Graduates also tend to make more money, especially those with higher-level degrees.

As of February 2022, the civilian labor force in Michigan was 4,804,200. Of these employable individuals, 4,576,200 had jobs and 228,000 did not. This makes the state’s unemployment rate for the state 4.7%. This is down significantly from the year before when unemployment was 6.3%. In fact, Michigan has seen a consistent decline in unemployment rates since hitting a record high in April 2020. Prior to this, the unemployment rate was 3.8%.

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Online Higher Education in Michigan


For the 2020-2021 academic year, there were a total of 501,836 students enrolled at Michigan colleges and universities. This includes 426,507 undergraduate and 75,329 graduate school students. Most attended school full-time, with only 185,076 enrolled part-time.

Notably, just under half of Michigan students were enrolled in online degree options exclusively, with 218,455 opting to take classes 100% virtually. An additional 161,731 were also taking some online classes. Only 121,650 students were not enrolled in any distance learning opportunities. This means that over 75% of undergraduate and graduate students in the state took at least one online class during the 2020-2021 academic year.

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In 2022, the average cost of undergraduate tuition and fees was $7,112 per academic year for Michigan residents. Rates were higher for students from other states, however, who paid an average of $12,438 for the same period. This trend also applies to graduate students, with in-state students paying an average of $17,123 and out-of-state students paying an average of $24,821. Those attending private graduate schools can expect to pay an average of $18,598, regardless of residency status.

Other costs include living expenses, books, and supplies. In 2022, the average living costs of Michigan colleges and universities is $12,899 for students staying on campus and $12,922 for students staying off campus. The average cost of books and supplies is $3,545 for both groups, as drastic increase from the year before when it was only $1,222.

Enrolling in online college and university programs in Michigan is one potential way to save on higher education expenses. This is because some schools charge less for remote learning. Distance learners also do not have to pay the parking and activity fees often required of traditional students. Additionally, most institutions offer the same financial aid opportunities for online students. This means those interested in attending classes remotely should plan to complete and submit Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms to their school’s finance department.

Our School Rankings Methodology


College and university rankings are an excellent resource for prospective students trying to decide which academic programs to pursue. The information provided can help ensure the degrees selected align well with professional goal, as well as with personal aspirations.

Using a proprietary ratings system, our team ranks Michigan schools that offer online college programs. This system increases accuracy and ensures results are applicable to every type of student.

Some of the data types utilized to generate our rankings include:

  • Average Graduate Salary
  • Graduation Rate
  • Net Price
  • Reputation
  • Retention Rate
  • Student-to-Faculty Ratio

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Additionally, our data collection process is solely focused on properly accredited colleges and universities offering credible online courses in the state. Our team performs extremely thorough investigations and assessments to develop the list of top online programs available in Michigan. In order to help students make the best decisions possible, we also carefully consider the overall the quality and affordability of each institution before adding it to the list.

What are the Best Online Associate & Community College Programs in Michigan?


Michigan is home to many online community colleges offering associate degrees to residents and non-residents of the state. Prospective students can choose from a wide variety of subject areas and are likely to benefit from more affordable tuition rates. Many online associate degree programs also offer flexible class schedules, making them preferable for current professionals and those unable to attend school traditionally.

Graduates from online community college programs will be qualified for many entry-level employment opportunities within their designated fields. A popular alternative to joining the workforce, however, is enrolling in bachelor’s degree programs to further higher education. Most traditional colleges and universities will accept up to 60 or 90 transfer credits from other institutions, assuming the schools are properly accredited. As a result, online associate degrees often equate to two full years of four-year bachelor’s degrees.

Washtenaw Community College
College Type
2-year, Public
Student Population
11,978
Graduation Rate
27%
Net Price
$2,981
Grads Salary
$35,700
St. Clair County Community College
College Type
2-year, Public
Student Population
3,315
Graduation Rate
23%
Net Price
$5,487
Grads Salary
$36,200
Bay de Noc Community College
College Type
2-year, Public
Student Population
1,898
Graduation Rate
34%
Net Price
$7,766
Grads Salary
$33,100
Lansing Community College
College Type
2-year, Public
Student Population
10,306
Graduation Rate
17%
Net Price
$4,961
Grads Salary
$38,200
Oakland Community College
College Type
2-year, Public
Student Population
14,511
Graduation Rate
15%
Net Price
$3,598
Grads Salary
$36,000
Delta College
College Type
2-year, Public
Student Population
6,954
Graduation Rate
16%
Net Price
$4,561
Grads Salary
$36,000
Kirtland Community College
College Type
2-year, Public
Student Population
1,330
Graduation Rate
23%
Net Price
$5,616
Grads Salary
$33,100
Muskegon Community College
College Type
2-year, Public
Student Population
3,456
Graduation Rate
16%
Net Price
$4,622
Grads Salary
$35,100
Schoolcraft College
College Type
4-year, primarily associate's, Public
Student Population
8,116
Graduation Rate
19%
Net Price
$7,859
Grads Salary
$39,500
Northwestern Michigan College
College Type
4-year, primarily associate's, Public
Student Population
3,278
Graduation Rate
23%
Net Price
$7,138
Grads Salary
$34,500
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What are the Best Online Universities & College Programs in Michigan?


There are many good colleges and universities offering online degree programs at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and even doctorate levels in Michigan. Prospective students can choose from a wide variety of subject areas across numerous fields. Remote learning options make it possible for students to obtain the knowledge, skills, and training necessary to reach their personal, academic, and career goals. Those enrolled will also enjoy flexible scheduling and affordable tuition rates. Online college programs can be especially beneficial for current professionals working full- or part-time, as well as individuals who are otherwise restricted from attending classes on institution campuses in Michigan.

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University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
College Type
4-year, Public
Student Population
47,907
Graduation Rate
93%
Net Price
$17,832
Grads Salary
$81,600
University of Detroit Mercy
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit
Student Population
4,987
Graduation Rate
73%
Net Price
$18,376
Grads Salary
$85,000
Michigan Technological University
College Type
4-year, Public
Student Population
6,873
Graduation Rate
72%
Net Price
$17,356
Grads Salary
$80,000
Michigan State University
College Type
4-year, Public
Student Population
49,695
Graduation Rate
81%
Net Price
$16,655
Grads Salary
$73,000
University of Michigan-Dearborn
College Type
4-year, Public
Student Population
8,783
Graduation Rate
55%
Net Price
$12,639
Grads Salary
$74,000
Oakland University
College Type
4-year, Public
Student Population
18,552
Graduation Rate
56%
Net Price
$14,674
Grads Salary
$71,000
Ferris State University
College Type
4-year, Public
Student Population
11,165
Graduation Rate
50%
Net Price
$12,638
Grads Salary
$67,000
Cleary University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit
Student Population
658
Graduation Rate
56%
Net Price
$18,457
Grads Salary
$72,000
Grand Valley State University
College Type
4-year, Public
Student Population
23,350
Graduation Rate
69%
Net Price
$16,865
Grads Salary
$61,000
Western Michigan University
College Type
4-year, Public
Student Population
19,887
Graduation Rate
57%
Net Price
$18,091
Grads Salary
$68,000
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