Online Degrees In Michigan (MI)

Michigan has a good success story to share. From having the lowest employment rate in 2009, post the Great Recession, the state of Michigan has risen to become the 9th best state for business, according to CNBC. In 2017, the unemployment rate was 4.9 percent, lower than the national average of 5.2 percent. Not only is the auto industry enjoying a historic comeback in the Wolverine state, boasting the highest concentration of STEM workers in the country, but other industries are also seeing exciting employment growth potential, particularly for those who hold a college credential.

Whether you’re a high school graduate, a professional in the workforce, or a busy parent, online education can be a convenient way to earn a college degree, allow you to explore a diverse range of career opportunities and enjoy the potential increase in pay that can come with a college degree.

Check out this page to see why earning an online degree in Michigan might benefit you, along with information on top online colleges in this state, popular degree programs, and what you should look for when choosing an online degree program. You can also see a listing of state-specific scholarships and much more.

The current education levels of Michigan’s workforce have yet to align with industry’s expanding demand for college graduates. This presents an array of opportunities and incentives for students to earn a degree and seek employment in the state. In fact, so great is the need in Michigan for more people with a postsecondary credential that the state is working toward attracting people not only from within the state but outside Michigan as well to meet the workforce gap.

With only 38 percent of working-age Michiganders holding an associate degree or higher (Lumina Foundation, 2017), the state has set a goal to increase the percentage of people holding a college credential to 60 percent by 2025.A Georgetown University 2013 report indicates that by 2020, in Michigan:

  • 70 percent of all jobs will require postsecondary education
  • 37 percent of all jobs will require some college, an associate degree or a postsecondary vocational certificate
  • 22 percent of all jobs will require a bachelor’s degree
  • 11 percent of all jobs will require a master’s degree

This means that by 2020 the state’s workforce would require:

  • 150,000 people with an associate degree
  • 339,000 people with a bachelor’s degree
  • 184,000 people with a master’s degree

Not only would an increased level of educational attainment benefit Michigan employers, those new college graduates can look forward to higher salaries that come with a postsecondary credential. According to a 2017 article in USAToday, on average a college graduate can expect to earn 56 percent more than a high school graduate. The article goes on to cite other benefits that typically come with a college degree such as being able to afford owning a house, having retirement security and increased job opportunities in a nation-wide job market. And for those who’d prefer to enjoy these benefits with a life partner, the report also cites that college graduates are more likely to get married.

Retrieving data from the National Center for Education Statistics, we established a ranking methodology based on criteria we believe are specifically helpful to prospective online students.

The following list of top Michigan colleges that offer online degree programs has taken into consideration factors like accreditation, tuition and fees, percent of graduates awarded financial aid and the average amount of aid received along with graduation rates for each. For a more complete list of factors, check out our methodology below.

1
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI
https://www.cmich.edu0
Average in-state tuition
$12,093
No. of online programs
50
% of students in distance education
38%
Avg. amount of Aid
$7,631
Admissions Rate
69%
Graduation Rate
62%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
2
Madonna University
Livonia, MI
https://www.madonna.edu0
Average in-state tuition
$21,900
No. of online programs
21
% of students in distance education
56%
Avg. amount of Aid
$9,281
Admissions Rate
78%
Graduation Rate
61%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
3
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI
https://www.ferris.edu/
Average in-state tuition
$11,984
No. of online programs
29
% of students in distance education
28%
Avg. amount of Aid
$8,050
Admissions Rate
81%
Graduation Rate
49%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
4
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
https://www.msu.edu0
Average in-state tuition
$15,555
No. of online programs
18
% of students in distance education
23%
Avg. amount of Aid
$11,564
Admissions Rate
78%
Graduation Rate
80%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
5
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI
https://www.emich.edu
Average in-state tuition
$12,408
No. of online programs
13
% of students in distance education
34%
Avg. amount of Aid
$7,110
Admissions Rate
76%
Graduation Rate
45%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
6
Siena Heights University
Adrian, MI
https://www.sienaheights.edu
Average in-state tuition
$26,558
No. of online programs
81
% of students in distance education
48%
Avg. amount of Aid
$11,955
Admissions Rate
69%
Graduation Rate
43%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
7
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI
https://wmich.edu/0
Average in-state tuition
$11,560
No. of online programs
15
% of students in distance education
25%
Avg. amount of Aid
$7,960
Admissions Rate
81%
Graduation Rate
53%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
8
Northwood University
Midland, MI
https://www.northwood.edu
Average in-state tuition
$25,710
No. of online programs
16
% of students in distance education
67%
Avg. amount of Aid
$10,799
Admissions Rate
68%
Graduation Rate
49%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
9
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI
https://www.umich.edu
Average in-state tuition
$15,897
No. of online programs
10
% of students in distance education
2%
Avg. amount of Aid
$19,728
Admissions Rate
23%
Graduation Rate
92%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
10
Northern Michigan University
Marquette, MI
https://www.nmu.edu
Average in-state tuition
$10,242
No. of online programs
11
% of students in distance education
28%
Avg. amount of Aid
$7,306
Admissions Rate
66%
Graduation Rate
47%
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
11
University of Detroit Mercy
Detroit, MI
Average in-state tuition
$28,000
No. of online programs
10
% of students in distance education
19%
Avg. amount of Aid
$27,531
Admissions Rate
82.978723404255
Graduation Rate
65
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
12
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI
Average in-state tuition
$13,916
No. of online programs
7
% of students in distance education
25%
Avg. amount of Aid
$7,804
Admissions Rate
83.906084978471
Graduation Rate
55
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
13
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI
Average in-state tuition
$12,620
No. of online programs
32
% of students in distance education
33%
Avg. amount of Aid
$7,652
Admissions Rate
71.147439851943
Graduation Rate
47
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
14
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI
Average in-state tuition
$12,796
No. of online programs
2
% of students in distance education
10%
Avg. amount of Aid
$5,942
Admissions Rate
82.752582735073
Graduation Rate
66
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
15
Gogebic Community College
Ironwood, MI
Average in-state tuition
$5,270
No. of online programs
1
% of students in distance education
41%
Avg. amount of Aid
$4,829
Admissions Rate
N/A
Graduation Rate
N/A
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
16
Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI
Average in-state tuition
$16,500
No. of online programs
12
% of students in distance education
7%
Avg. amount of Aid
$11,548
Admissions Rate
73.878040424803
Graduation Rate
68
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
17
Davenport University
Grand Rapids, MI
Average in-state tuition
$17,544
No. of online programs
64
% of students in distance education
73%
Avg. amount of Aid
$7,682
Admissions Rate
89.331501831502
Graduation Rate
49
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
18
University of Michigan-Dearborn
Dearborn, MI
Average in-state tuition
$12,330
No. of online programs
25
% of students in distance education
31%
Avg. amount of Aid
$7,020
Admissions Rate
77.972709551657
Graduation Rate
56
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
19
Lawrence Technological University
Southfield, MI
Average in-state tuition
$32,370
No. of online programs
7
% of students in distance education
31%
Avg. amount of Aid
$14,502
Admissions Rate
77.721088435374
Graduation Rate
58
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
Yes
20
University of Michigan-Flint
Flint, MI
Average in-state tuition
$10,872
No. of online programs
15
% of students in distance education
50%
Avg. amount of Aid
$7,272
Admissions Rate
66.264511723196
Graduation Rate
46
Career Counseling
Yes
Placement Services
No
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2018-19, National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

Based on information by the Integrated Postsecondary Education System (IPEDS), take a look at the most popular online degree programs in Michigan. Popularity of degree programs is usually an indication that these degrees are in good demand in Michigan’s job market.

Program Name
No. of online programs
Business Administration and Management Degree, General
38
Marketing/Marketing Management, General
14
General Studies
12
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
11
Accounting
10
Business/Commerce, General
10
Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General
9
Health/Health Care Administration/Management
8
Computer and Information Systems Security/Information Assurance
8
Educational/Instructional Technology
8

The quality of an online degree program can vary dramatically and the choice you make can have an impact on your career and earning capacity. It is important that you choose a quality online degree program that earns you a marketable postsecondary credential.

Many colleges in Michigan are subscribers of the program Quality Matters, an assurance system designed to certify the quality of online and blended courses. The program gives teachers and educators of participating colleges access to resources that can help them design high-quality online courses for students. Michigan State University (MSU) and Northwood University – Michigan are two such examples.

Prospective students may want to look for online programs offered by colleges that are participants of SARA. According to the annual Distance Learning Administrator Surveys conducted by Michigan Colleges Online, 44 percent of the state’s online institutes are participants of SARA. The State Authorization of Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) is a national initiative that standardizes the quality of online programs across the country.

Other indicators of quality online degree programs in Michigan include those offered by schools that are accredited. Accredited programs are regularly evaluated by an external, unbiased agency and are expected to meet and maintain quality standards of education. To name a few, look for accrediting bodies such as:

  • The American Bar Association
  • Higher Learning Commission, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
  • The National League for Nursing
  • The National Association of Schools of Music

State Efforts to Advance Student Success

The Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) continuously monitors college access and success data to measure the outcome of goals set and to improve upon them. These efforts apply to improving the quality of both on-campus and online degree programs in Michigan. MCAN has mobilized local community leaders to work toward the single goal of providing high-quality post-secondary education to everyone “particularly among low-income students, first-generation college-going students, and students of color.”

The state has a strong infrastructure in place for those who want to pursue online degree programs in Michigan, including a virtual learning collaborative for community college students. Michigan CollegesOnline serves as a one-stop-shop for students who wish to pursue distance education and learn more about the various online degree programs offered in any one of their 28 colleges spread across the state of Michigan. Their unified, online portal consolidates all the online programs from each of its member colleges and provides a single platform to initiate the enrollment process.

The Michigan Association of State Universities (MASU) and the Michigan Community College Association (MCCA) have collaborated together to advance student success (both campus and distance education students). These are just a few of the initiatives they have taken:

  • Career and College Readiness Standards – this is a series of efforts to help prepare high school students for college and a career. It focuses on improving skills in reading, writing, speaking/listening, research/inquiry and more.
  • Coalition of Michigan Veterans Educators – this consortium seeks to help student veterans, military service members and their families find the support they need to earn a postsecondary credential through Michigan’s colleges and universities that would lead to gainful employment.
  • Math Pathways to Completion Initiative – this was developed to increase the success of underprepared students and to promote credential completion. The goal is also to enhance course transferability and implement math pathways that are designed to meet the educational goals of Michigan students.
  • Michigan Transfer Network – this is a unified online portal to view transfer course equivalencies across Michigan’s postsecondary institutions.

Online education isn’t perfect, and some online schools certainly do a better job than others. That’s why students who choose to earn a degree online should select their degree program carefully, says online educator Rod Sullivan, who earned his LL.M. from Georgetown University Law Center. According to Sullivan, students should look for online programs that have some interactive feature – things like message boards, group chats, or online forums.

“The quality of the program is really in the interaction with the professor and the other students,” Sullivan says. “Without interaction, the program can be dull and students can feel like they are alone and isolated.”

But online education shouldn’t be that way. According to Sullivan online degree programs just have to look for new ways to engage their students. “You make up for the loss of that [in-person] give-and-take in a number of ways. Online lectures should always be well-planned, usually by PowerPoint, and are succinct,” he notes. “You lose intimacy, but you gain directness.”

While the process isn’t always perfect, schools that “get online education right” do have a lot to offer students, especially working adults. And in many cases, the benefits far outweigh the cons. According to Sullivan, online education should definitely be considered by students who want a specialized education and those who work full-time or have family obligations.

Business leaders are increasingly looking at Michigan as a great place to grow a business, according to a 2018 report by the Michigan Economic Outlook. Between 2014 and 2024, the Michigan Bureau of Labor Market expects the workforce to increase by 7.4 percent in all occupations.

Based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this list of top occupations (based on the number of people employed in them), along with the average salary for each, may give you something to think about, in terms of career choices you may want to consider.

Occupation
Number of Workers
Median Salary
Office and Administrative Support Occupations543,970$36,780
Production Occupations476,190$36,530
Sales and Related Occupations409,870$28,220
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations393,970$22,990
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations356,000$31,940
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations279,500$66,600
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations225,130$47,660
Business and Financial Operations Occupations222,190$66,030
Management Occupations211,170$101,850
Healthcare Support Occupations180,500$28,990
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations172,470$45,780
Construction and Extraction Occupations147,200$49,540
Architecture and Engineering Occupations139,900$83,030
Retail Salespersons136,190$24,500
Fast Food and Counter Workers127,870$22,000
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations126,870$26,790
Computer and Mathematical Occupations111,930$76,980
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators110,680$34,630
Office Clerks, General96,950$34,130
Registered Nurses96,900$72,260

Source: 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov.

Top Metropolitan Areas in Michigan

Here’s a look at the fastest-growing industries in the state’s metro areas:

Ann Arbor: This metropolitan area has the lowest unemployment rate in the state as of June 2019 at 3.3 percent. In fact, the CNBC reports that Grand Rapids is the second largest met area in the nation in terms of hiring plans. The most common jobs in the region currently are in office and administrative support occupations, production occupations, and sales related occupations.

Detroit-Warren-Dearborn: The Detroit-Warren-Dearborn metropolitan area is experiencing a job growth especially in the professional, scientific, and technical services sector. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the leisure and hospitality industry added the largest number of jobs from June 2018 to 2019. With property values lower than the rest of the nation and home ownership rates higher than the rest of the nation, Detroit may be a place to consider when starting off your career.

Grand Rapids-Wyoming: This metropolitan area has the lowest unemployment rate in the state as of June 2019 at 3.3 percent. In fact, the CNBC reports that Grand Rapids is the second largest met area in the nation in terms of hiring plans. The most common jobs in the region currently are in office and administrative support occupations, production occupations, and sales related occupations.

Federal aid may be available to you depending on your specific circumstances and how well you qualify. Once you’ve narrowed down your list of schools, fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA form. Types of federal aid can include Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants, Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grants, and Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants.

Beyond federal aid, plenty of other options may be available to Michigan students who qualify, such as the Michigan Tuition Grant, as well as the following scholarships:

Obviously, these are just a handful of the many scholarships that may be available to students pursuing on-campus or distance learning in Michigan. Specific aid might be available from your school of choice, and additional scholarships could potentially become available depending on your chosen degree program. When in doubt, call your school to find out if any of these opportunities exist.

Scholarship Listing

This list provides additional information on scholarships and grants available to eligible Michigan students.

President's Honor Scholarship
No. of Awards
75
Deadline
May 15
Max. Award Amount
N/A
Renewable
Yes
Criteria
Applicant must be an outstanding in-district senior who will graduate this year from a public high school in Washtenaw County. Applicant must have a minimum 3.2 GPA or better on a 4.0 scale.
More
Gerber Foundation Merit Scholarship
No. of Awards
50
Deadline
February 28
Max. Award Amount
2,000
Renewable
No
Criteria
Applicant must be a resident and graduate from an accredited high school in Muskegon or Newaygo County, Michigan.
More
Rosa L. Parks Scholarships
No. of Awards
40
Deadline
Open
Max. Award Amount
N/A
Renewable
No
Criteria
Applicants must be Michigan high school seniors who will graduate by August of the application year. They must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher and have taken the SAT or ACT. An essay is required.
More
Grand Rapids Trans Foundation Academic Scholarship
No. of Awards
4
Deadline
July 6
Max. Award Amount
2,500
Renewable
No
Criteria
Applicants must identify as transgender and be pursuing a degree or certificate from an accredited college, university, technical or vocational program which has a campus in Kent County, Michigan.
More
Lloyd Carr Scholarship
No. of Awards
3
Deadline
Early April
Max. Award Amount
1,500
Renewable
No
Criteria
Applicant must be a graduate of a Downriver high school who will be attending the University of Michigan in the fall.
More

Source: Scholarship directory data is copyrighted material which is reproduced on this website by permission of CollegeXpress, a division of Carnegie Dartlet. Copyright © 2020 by CollegeXpress.
Source: Scholarship directory data is copyrighted material which is reproduced on this website by permission of CollegeXpress, a division of Carnegie Dartlet. Copyright © 2020 by CollegeXpress.

The SAT or ACT with writing test scores are generally required during the admissions process. Admission requirement for graduate-level programs may include GMAT or GRE scores. Non-native speakers of English may be required to submit their test scores for any one of the following:

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
  • The Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB)
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

Some schools and colleges in Michigan may have additional application requirements, depending on the university and program you choose.

Explore online colleges in Michigan!

See Methodology Information Here
Sources

  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2018-19, National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/
  • 2018 MCO Distance Education Administrators Survey Results, Michigan Colleges Online,http://www.mccvlc.org/~staff/content.cfm?m=80&id=80&startRow=1&mm=0 , accessed July 2018
  • Career and College Readiness, Michigan,www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/NGSS_in_Terms_of_CCR_396895_7.ppt, accessed March 2018
  • Collaboration across Higher Education Institutions in Michigan, Michigan Independent Colleges and Universities, March 2017,https://www.house.mi.gov/hfa/PDF/HigherEducation/HigherEd_Subcmte_Testimony(MICUCollaborationAcrossHigherEdInsitutionsInMichigan_3-23-17).pdf
  • Consortium of Michigan Veterans Educators, accessed March 2018
  • Data Center Mathematics Pathways, Michigan,https://dcmathpathways.org/where-we-work/michigan, accessed March 2018
  • Faculty Briefs, Northwood University – Michigan, https://ideamagazine.online/ideamagazine/2017/04/18/faculty-briefs-5?rq=quality%20matters, accessed July 2018
  • Fostering Success Michigan Program Summary, Center for Fostering Success, October 2017,https://www.house.mi.gov/hfa/PDF/HigherEducation/HigherEd_Subcmte_Testimony(Fostering%20SuccessMichiganProgram%20Summary_10-5-17).pdf
  • From rough ride to respectable: Michigan wins for most improved, CNBC, July 2017,https://www.cnbc.com/2017/07/11/michigan-automakers-from-a-rough-ride-to-a-new-manufacturing-economy/
  • Michigan’s bid for Amazon HQ2 helped by ability to attract young talent, state expert says, Detroit Free Press, January 2018, https://www.freep.com/story/money/personal-finance/susan-tompor/2018/01/11/michigan-amazon-hq-2-attract-talent/1005299001/
  • Michigan Data Dashboard Community Report, Michigan College Access Network,http://www.micollegeaccess.org/about/dashboard ,accessed February 2018
  • Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget, Employment Projections 2014 to 2024, accessed February 2018
  • Michigan’s Progress toward the Goal, A Stronger Nation, Learning Beyond High School Builds American Talent, Lumina Foundation 2017, http://strongernation.luminafoundation.org/report/2017/#state/MI
  • MSU Quality Matters, Michigan State University, https://tech.msu.edu/teaching/tools/quality-matters/, accessed July 2018
  • Narratives in U.S. Higher Education, Michigan in Context: Governor Snyder’s 2016 State Universities Summit, May 2016,https://www.masu.org/Portals/0/docs/MASU-GSUS%205-24-2016.pdf
  • Pay gap between college grads and everyone else at a record, USAToday, January 2017,https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2017/01/12/pay-gap-between-college-grads-and-everyone-else-record/96493348/
  • Reaching for Opportunity: An Action Plan to Increase Michigan’s Postsecondary Credential Attainment, Michigan State Board of Education, December 2015,http://mitalentgoal2025.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Reaching-for-Opportunity-2015-Report1.pdf
  • The Great Recession, The State of Working America, Economic Policy Institute,http://stateofworkingamerica.org/great-recession/, accessed July 2018
  • The Michigan Transfer Network,https://www.michigantransfernetwork.org/, accessed March 2018
  • What We Do, Michigan College Access Network http://www.micollegeaccess.org/about/what-we-do, accessed February 2018
  • Why Michigan needs newcomers to improve economy, Crain’s Detroit Business, December 2017,http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20171201/news/646471/why-michigan-needs-newcomers-to-improve-economy
  • Ann Arbor, What Michigan jobs, industries are growing?, The Center for Michigan, Bridge, 2018, https://www.bridgemi.com/center-michigan/what-michigan-jobs-industries-are-growing
  • Detroit Area Employment — June 2019, Midwest Information Office, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, June 2019, https://www.bls.gov/regions/midwest/news-release/areaemployment_detroit.htm
  • Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI, Data USA, 2017, https://datausa.io/profile/geo/detroit-warren-livonia-mi-metro-area#housing
  • Grand Rapids, What Michigan jobs, industries are growing?, The Center for Michigan, Bridge, 2018, https://www.bridgemi.com/center-michigan/what-michigan-jobs-industries-are-growing
  • Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI, Data USA, 2017, https://datausa.io/profile/geo/grand-rapids-wyoming-mi-metro-area
  • Hiring will reach the highest level in 13 years with big strength in the Midwest: Survey, CNBC, June 2019, https://www.cnbc.com/2019/06/11/manpowergroup-hiring-expected-to-hit-highest-in-13-years-during-q3/
  • Jobs are plentiful and wages are booming in Michigan. No … really, Bridge, March 2018, https://www.bridgemi.com/economy/jobs-are-plentiful-and-wages-are-booming-michigan-no-really
  • May 2018 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Occupational Employment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics, March 29, 2019, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcma.htm#M
  • Michigan’s Hot 50, Michigan Bureau of Labor Market, 2018, https://www.michigan.gov/documents/wca/wca_vr_HOT_50_Jobs_313772_7.pdf
  • Michigan’s Labor Market News, Vol. 75, Issue No. 2, April 2019, https://milmi.org/Portals/198/publications/News/LMN/LMN_0419.pdf?ver=2019-04-17-133249-383
  • Unemployment by Metro Area, Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget, June 2019, https://milmi.org/datasearch/unemployment-by-msa
Methodologies and Sources