2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Michigan
When it comes to choosing a college, veterans have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its Best Colleges for Veterans in Michigan ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
After analyzing 45 schools in Michigan, we came up with our list of those that offered the best educational experiences for veterans. To come up with this ranking, we look at more than 20 factors that are all objective measurements. These factors include percentage of costs covered by the GI Bill®, whether or not the school has a student's veteran organization, and the school's overall quality.
See what other factors we include in our ranking methodology.
Featured schools near , edit
Customizing Your List
We know that one set of rankings doesn't always help you determine the best school for you, so we've created the ability to narrow your list by location and field of study as well as alternative rankings that prioritize different factors such as those of importance to online students or returning adults or those who value diversity and value for your money.
You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. If you're torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.
Top Colleges for Veterans in Michigan
See which schools came out on top of our ranking:
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor tops this year’s ranking as the best school for veterans in Michigan. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the large public school handed out 15,032 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, U-M supports 47,907 students, and 509 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 321 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $26,841. U-M does offer credit for military training for eligible 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. U-M also made our Best Schools in Michigan list, coming in at #1.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ferris State University. It ranked #2 on our 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Michigan list. This fairly large public school is located in Big Rapids, Michigan, and it awarded 3,227 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Ferris supports 11,165 students, and 423 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 186 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $6,682. Ferris does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Western Michigan University. The school came in at #3 in Michigan on this year’s best for vets ranking. Western Michigan University is a fairly large public school located in Kalamazoo, Michigan that handed out 5,146 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, WMU supports 19,887 students, and 607 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 392 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $11,671. WMU does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Out of the 45 schools in Michigan that were part of this year’s ranking, Spring Arbor University landed the #4 spot on the list. Spring Arbor is a private not-for-profit institution located in Spring Arbor, Michigan. The school has a small population, and it awarded 921 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 3,118 students enrolled at Spring Arbor, 94 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 61 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $10,862. On top of their other funding sources, 3 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Spring Arbor does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Siena Heights University. The school came in at #5 in Michigan on this year’s best for vets ranking. Adrian, Michigan is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 827 students in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Siena Heights University supports 2,036 students, and 79 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 49 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $7,999. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Eastern Michigan University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for Veterans in Michigan ranking. Eastern Michigan is a public institution located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4,518 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 500 of the 16,294 students enrolled at Eastern Michigan were GI Bill® students, of which 256 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $7,405. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Central Michigan University landed the #7 spot on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Michigan ranking. Central Michigan is a public institution located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 5,958 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 357 of the 17,311 students enrolled at Central Michigan were GI Bill® students, of which 317 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $4,557. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Central Michigan also claimed a spot on our Best Schools in Michigan list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.
Michigan State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for Veterans in Michigan ranking. Michigan State is located in East Lansing, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13,016 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.
Among the 49,695 students enrolled at Michigan State, 763 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 500 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $12,685. To help with additional expenses, 8 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program.
The student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. In addition to its best for vets ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Michigan State is ranked #4 for overall quality in Michigan.
With a ranking of #9, Oakland University did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Michigan list. Located in Rochester Hills, Michigan, the fairly large public school handed out 4,653 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Oakland supports 18,552 students, and 331 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 203 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $10,387. Oakland does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Grand Valley State University did quite well in the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Michigan ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Allendale, Michigan, the large public school handed out 6,273 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Among the 23,350 students enrolled at GVSU, 482 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 309 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $10,102. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
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%. As a testament to the quality of education it offers, GVSU also is in the top 15% of our Best Schools in Michigan ranking.
University of Michigan - Dearborn did quite well in the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Michigan ranking, coming in at #11. UM Dearborn is a public institution located in Dearborn, Michigan. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 2,303 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 8,783 students enrolled at UM Dearborn, 181 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 118 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $10,539. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
The student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Madonna University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Colleges for Veterans in Michigan list. Located in Livonia, Michigan, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 771 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Among the 2,792 students enrolled at Madonna, 72 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 46 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $12,554. During this same period, 6 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Michigan Technological University did quite well in the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Michigan ranking, coming in at #13. Houghton, Michigan is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 1,647 students in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Michigan Tech supports 6,873 students, and 125 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 76 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $12,388. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
The low student loan default rate of 2.3% 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%. Michigan Tech not only placed well in our veterans ranking, but it is also #5 on our Best Schools in Michigan list.
Wayne State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Colleges for Veterans in Michigan list. Detroit, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 6,694 students in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Wayne State supports 26,241 students, and 506 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 300 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $10,627. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Lake Superior State University landed the #15 spot on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Michigan ranking. Sault Ste Marie, Michigan is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 549 students in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Lake Superior State University supports 1,909 students, and 94 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 53 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $9,467. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Northern Michigan University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for Veterans in Michigan ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Marquette, Michigan, and it awarded 1,565 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Northern Michigan University supports 7,368 students, and 326 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 151 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $9,392. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
With a ranking of #17, University of Detroit Mercy did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Michigan list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Detroit, Michigan, and it awarded 1,350 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Detroit Mercy supports 4,987 students, and 69 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 40 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $16,447. In addition to receiving other benefits, 12 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
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%. In addition to its great veterans ranking, Detroit Mercy is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Schools in Michigan list.
University of Michigan - Flint did quite well in the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Michigan ranking, coming in at #18. This medium-sized public school is located in Flint, Michigan, and it awarded 1,605 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 6,829 students enrolled at UM Flint, 277 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 159 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $10,150. UM Flint does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Lawrence Technological University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for Veterans in Michigan ranking. Lawrence Technological University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Southfield, Michigan that handed out 635 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Lawrence Tech supports 2,812 students, and 67 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 23 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $13,195. During this same period, 4 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Lawrence Tech does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Lawrence Tech also claimed a spot on our Best Schools in Michigan list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.
With a ranking of #20, Calvin University did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Michigan list. Calvin is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It awarded 1,057 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 30 of the 3,307 students enrolled at Calvin were GI Bill® students, of which 25 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $20,378. On top of their other funding sources, 17 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Calvin also claimed a spot on our Best Schools in Michigan list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.
Davenport University did quite well in the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Michigan ranking, coming in at #21. Located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 1,548 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Davenport University supports 6,127 students, and 315 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 244 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $12,959. During this same period, 22 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
With a ranking of #22, Northwood University did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Michigan list. Northwood is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Midland, Michigan. It awarded 1,131 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Among the 2,541 students enrolled at Northwood, 121 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 88 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $5,925. On top of their other funding sources, 2 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a bachelor’s degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Kettering University did quite well in the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Michigan ranking, coming in at #23. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Flint, Michigan, and it awarded 651 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 2,030 students enrolled at Kettering, 60 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 53 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $14,043. To help with additional expenses, 12 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Kettering does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
The student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. In addition to its best for vets ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Kettering is ranked #2 for overall quality in Michigan.
With a ranking of #24, Saginaw Valley State University did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Michigan list. Saginaw Valley State University is a public institution located in University Center, Michigan. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,794 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Saginaw Valley State University supports 8,028 students, and 178 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 95 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $8,099. Saginaw Valley State University does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Macomb Community College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for Veterans in Michigan ranking. Macomb Community College is located in Warren, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1,487 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.
Among the 16,736 students enrolled at Macomb Community College, 506 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 372 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $2,245. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
In addition to its great veterans ranking, Macomb Community College is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Schools in Michigan list.
View Best Colleges for Veterans Nationwide >
All Majors and Fields of Study >
More Michigan Rankings
Best Colleges in the Great Lakes Region
Explore all the Best Colleges for Veterans in the Great Lakes Area or other specific states within that region.
| State |
|---|
| Wisconsin |
| Ohio |
| Indiana |
| Illinois |
Notes and References
Footnotes
*Avg Salary and Avg 4-Year Grad Rate are for the top 25 schools only.
**GI Bill® student total includes all chapters of the GI Bill® program (e.g., Post-9/11, Montgomery GI Bill, Reserve Education Assistance Program, and Veteran Readiness and Employment)
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).
- Veteran-specific data can be found at the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
- 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%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
College Factual provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© College Factual – All Rights Reserved.