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2026 Best Trade Schools in Michigan
Looking for the best Trade degree programs in Michigan? This list ranks 160 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Trade College reviewed 134 schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Trade Degree Schools in Michigan
Explore the leading schools below:
Michigan State University tops our 2026 ranking of the best Trade degree schools in Michigan. Set in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete their Trade program here. See the full Michigan State University profile
You'll be in good company at Michigan Technological University, which ranked #2 this year. Located in Houghton, MI, Michigan Technological University is a public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Students borrow a median of $25,800 to complete their Trade program here. Read the full report on Michigan Technological University
The strong Trade programs at Wayne State University earned it the #3 place in Michigan. Located in Detroit, MI, Wayne State University is a public institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Wayne State University Trade students take on a median of $26,689 in debt. See the full Wayne State University profile
You'll be in good company at Ferris State University, which ranked #4 this year. Located in Big Rapids, MI, Ferris State University is a public institution. Ferris State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 56%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. The median Trade program debt is $23,562. Read the full report on Ferris State University
The strong Trade programs at Siena Heights University earned it the #5 place in Michigan. Siena Heights University is a private not-for-profit school based in Adrian, MI. About 39% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $30,778. Siena Heights University Trade students take on a median of $25,790 in debt. More on Siena Heights University
Central Michigan University did well this year, earning the #6 position. Central Michigan University is a public school based in Mount Pleasant, MI. Central Michigan University graduates 59% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Typical Trade student debt is $27,857. See the full Central Michigan University profile
Grand Valley State University came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Set in Allendale, MI, Grand Valley State University is a public institution. Grand Valley State University graduates 67% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Grand Valley State University Trade students take on a median of $26,378 in debt. Read more about Grand Valley State University
Kellogg Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Based in Battle Creek, MI, Kellogg Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,118, while out-of-state students pay about $8,282. Graduates carry a median of $20,432 in student loans. See the full Kellogg Community College profile
Delta College landed the #9 spot in Michigan this year. Based in University Center, MI, Delta College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,820 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,880. Graduates carry a median of $14,075 in student loans. Read more about Delta College
University Of Michigan Flint landed the #10 spot in Michigan this year. Set in Flint, MI, University Of Michigan Flint is a public institution. About 40% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $14,236, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. University Of Michigan Flint Trade students take on a median of $31,016 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Michigan Flint
St Clair County Community College landed the #11 spot in Michigan this year. Located in Port Huron, MI, St Clair County Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,212, compared with $12,150 for out-of-state students. The median Trade program debt is $16,379. More on St Clair County Community College
Northwestern Michigan College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Based in Traverse City, MI, Northwestern Michigan College is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,860, compared with $13,476 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $17,694 in student loans. See the full Northwestern Michigan College profile
Western Michigan University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Set in Kalamazoo, MI, Western Michigan University is a public institution. Western Michigan University graduates 58% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Typical Trade student debt is $27,981. See the full Western Michigan University profile
Muskegon Community College did well this year, earning the #14 position. Muskegon Community College is a public school based in Muskegon, MI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,250, compared with $16,010 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $14,928 in student loans. More on Muskegon Community College
Lansing Community College landed the #15 spot in Michigan this year. Lansing Community College is a public school based in Lansing, MI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. The median Trade program debt is $16,700. Read more about Lansing Community College
Eastern Michigan University landed the #16 spot in Michigan this year. Set in Ypsilanti, MI, Eastern Michigan University is a public institution. Eastern Michigan University posts a six-year graduation rate of 46%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Typical Trade student debt is $28,781. See the full Eastern Michigan University profile
Oakland University did well this year, earning the #17 position. This public school is set in Rochester Hills, MI. About 58% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Oakland University Trade students take on a median of $25,972 in debt. See the full Oakland University profile
Grand Rapids Community College came in at #18 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Grand Rapids, MI. Students from in state pay about $4,179 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,219. Typical Trade student debt is $11,780. Get the full Grand Rapids Community College report
Oakland Community College came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Based in Auburn Hills, MI, Oakland Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. The median Trade program debt is $15,865. Get the full Oakland Community College report
Baker College Of Flint landed the #20 spot in Michigan this year. Located in Owosso, MI, Baker College Of Flint is a private not-for-profit institution. About 30% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,000. Typical Trade student debt is $30,688. Read the full report on Baker College Of Flint
Jackson Community College placed #21 among Trade schools in Michigan. Set in Jackson, MI, Jackson Community College is a public institution. About 33% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $7,350 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,200. Students borrow a median of $16,960 to complete their Trade program here. More on Jackson Community College
Northern Michigan University placed #22 among Trade schools in Michigan. Set in Marquette, MI, Northern Michigan University is a public institution. Northern Michigan University posts a six-year graduation rate of 53%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,322, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Typical Trade student debt is $22,608. Read more about Northern Michigan University
Schoolcraft College landed the #23 spot in Michigan this year. Located in Livonia, MI, Schoolcraft College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,799, compared with $6,501 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $15,677 in student loans. Read the full report on Schoolcraft College
Davenport University did well this year, earning the #24 position. Davenport University is a private not-for-profit school based in Grand Rapids, MI. About 55% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,466. Davenport University Trade students take on a median of $30,603 in debt. Read more about Davenport University
Macomb Community College came in at #25 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Warren, MI. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Macomb Community College Trade students take on a median of $9,862 in debt. Read the full report on Macomb Community College
Rest of the Top 50 Best Trade Degree Schools in Michigan
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
University Of Detroit Mercy ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Set in Detroit, MI, University Of Detroit Mercy is a private not-for-profit institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $32,946 in tuition and fees. The median Trade program debt is $29,053. Read the full report on University Of Detroit Mercy
Kirtland Community College placed #27 among Trade schools in Michigan. Located in Grayling, MI, Kirtland Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,190, compared with $9,870 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,333 to complete their Trade program here. More on Kirtland Community College
Alpena Community College ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Located in Alpena, MI, Alpena Community College is a public institution. Alpena Community College posts a six-year graduation rate of 100%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,840, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. The median Trade program debt is $10,000. Read more about Alpena Community College
Henry Ford Community College landed the #29 spot in Michigan this year. Henry Ford Community College is a public school based in Dearborn, MI. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $18,876 in student loans. Get the full Henry Ford Community College report
Lake Superior State University came in at #30 in this year's ranking. Located in Sault Ste Marie, MI, Lake Superior State University is a public institution. Lake Superior State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 50%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,890. Students borrow a median of $22,429 to complete their Trade program here. Get the full Lake Superior State University report
Bay De Noc Community College did well this year, earning the #31 position. This public school is set in Escanaba, MI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,214, with out-of-state students paying around $11,453. Graduates carry a median of $17,625 in student loans. Read more about Bay De Noc Community College
Kalamazoo Valley Community College placed #32 among Trade schools in Michigan. Located in Kalamazoo, MI, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,144, while out-of-state students pay about $9,094. Graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. More on Kalamazoo Valley Community College
University Of Michigan Dearborn ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Set in Dearborn, MI, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. The median Trade program debt is $26,516. See the full University Of Michigan Dearborn profile
Wayne County Community College District ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. This public school is set in Detroit, MI. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,112, while out-of-state students pay about $4,067. Typical Trade student debt is $20,820. Get the full Wayne County Community College District report
Mott Community College landed the #35 spot in Michigan this year. Located in Flint, MI, Mott Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,845, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Mott Community College Trade students take on a median of $20,645 in debt. Read more about Mott Community College
Lake Michigan College placed #36 among Trade schools in Michigan. Lake Michigan College is a public school based in Benton Harbor, MI. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,445, with out-of-state students paying around $7,755. Graduates carry a median of $14,473 in student loans. Get the full Lake Michigan College report
Monroe County Community College placed #37 among Trade schools in Michigan. Monroe County Community College is a public school based in Monroe, MI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,759, with out-of-state students paying around $8,267. Monroe County Community College Trade students take on a median of $16,031 in debt. Read more about Monroe County Community College
West Shore Community College placed #38 among Trade schools in Michigan. Set in Scottville, MI, West Shore Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,820. The median Trade program debt is $17,399. Get the full West Shore Community College report
Washtenaw Community College ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Washtenaw Community College is a public school based in Ann Arbor, MI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Typical Trade student debt is $17,616. See the full Washtenaw Community College profile
Gogebic Community College came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Set in Ironwood, MI, Gogebic Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,530. The median Trade program debt is $15,250. More on Gogebic Community College
Mid Michigan Community College did well this year, earning the #41 position. Set in Harrison, MI, Mid Michigan Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,132 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,864. Typical Trade student debt is $18,878. More on Mid Michigan Community College
North Central Michigan College ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Based in Petoskey, MI, North Central Michigan College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,430 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Graduates carry a median of $12,398 in student loans. Get the full North Central Michigan College report
Glen Oaks Community College came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Based in Centreville, MI, Glen Oaks Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,176 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,624. Students borrow a median of $13,764 to complete their Trade program here. See the full Glen Oaks Community College profile
Southwestern Michigan College came in at #44 in this year's ranking. Southwestern Michigan College is a public school based in Dowagiac, MI. In-state tuition and fees average $6,417, with out-of-state students paying around $8,394. Typical Trade student debt is $16,575. More on Southwestern Michigan College
The Salon Professional Academy Of Holland did well this year, earning the #45 position. Read more about The Salon Professional Academy Of Holland
Adrian College
Adrian College did well this year, earning the #46 position. Read more about Adrian College
Andrews University landed the #47 spot in Michigan this year. See the full Andrews University profile
David Pressley School Of Cosmetology did well this year, earning the #48 position. Get the full David Pressley School Of Cosmetology report
Arizona College Of Nursing Southfield came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Read more about Arizona College Of Nursing Southfield
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. See the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor profile
More Trade Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 134 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 160 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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