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2023 Best Value Trade School Bachelor's Degree Schools in Michigan
Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices
It's not easy to decide which trade school program to enroll in when you have so many options available. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Trade College Search has created its Best Value Trade School Bachelor's Degree Schools in Michigan ranking. Our analysis looked at 26 schools in Michigan to see which bachelor's degree programs offered the best value experiences for trade school students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.
Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.
In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.
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Top Value Trade Bachelor's Degree Schools in Michigan
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Northwestern Michigan College to be the best value school for trade school students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Michigan. NMC is a small public school situated in Traverse City, Michigan. It awarded 38 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at NMC are $12,048 per year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,076 in student loans.
NMC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 74% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
NMC also took the #3 spot in our Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in Michigan rankings.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Ferris State University is a great place for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. Big Rapids, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 1,912 students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Ferris are $13,608 per year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,359 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Ferris does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 48% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Ferris not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #4 on our Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in Michigan list.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Michigan State University. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Michigan list. This large public school is located in East Lansing, Michigan, and it awarded 9,247 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Michigan State are $42,607 a year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $23,426 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Michigan State does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 87% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Michigan State also made our Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in Michigan list, coming in at #1.
Out of the 26 schools in Michigan that were part of this year’s value ranking, Saginaw Valley State University landed the # 4 spot on the list. Saginaw Valley State University is located in University Center, Michigan and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,440 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Saginaw Valley State University are $27,164 a year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $26,181 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Saginaw Valley State University. In 2020-2021 about 47% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Central Michigan University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Michigan list. Central Michigan is located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 3,164 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Central Michigan are $13,703 per year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $27,188 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Central Michigan does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 42% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Wayne State University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Michigan list. Located in Detroit, Michigan, the large public school handed out 4,132 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
Wayne State undergraduate students pay an average of $34,199 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,277 in student loans.
Wayne State does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 88% took at least some of their classes online.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Wayne State is ranked #5 for overall quality in Michigan.
Northern Michigan University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #7 on the list. Located in Marquette, Michigan, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,235 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Northern Michigan University are $18,570 a year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,431 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Northern Michigan University. In 2020-2021 about 39% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Baker College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Michigan list. Baker College is located in Owosso, Michigan and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 892 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Baker College are $12,710 a year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $32,957 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Baker College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 71% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
University of Michigan - Flint landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree trade school programs. UM Flint is located in Flint, Michigan and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,105 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UM Flint are $25,074 per year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,711 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at UM Flint. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 85% took at least some of their classes online.
Michigan Technological University landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree trade school programs. Michigan Technological University is a medium-sized public school located in Houghton, Michigan that handed out 1,198 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Michigan Tech are $41,247 a year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $22,990 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Michigan Tech does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 9% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Michigan Tech not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #2 on our Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in Michigan list.
Grand Valley State University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Michigan list. GVSU is a large public school situated in Allendale, Michigan. It awarded 5,413 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at GVSU are $20,198 a year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,627 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at GVSU. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 46% took at least some of their classes online.
Western Michigan University landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree trade school programs. Kalamazoo, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 3,833 students in 2021-2022.
WMU undergraduate students pay an average of $18,254 in tuition and fees each year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $25,387 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at WMU. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 76% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Michigan ranking. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the large public school awarded 8,969 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at U-M are $57,273 a year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,206 in student loans.
Online courses are available at U-M, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 46% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #14, Oakland University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. Oakland is a fairly large public school situated in Rochester Hills, Michigan. It awarded 3,591 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Oakland are $24,735 per year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $24,461 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Oakland. In 2020-2021 about 70% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #15, Eastern Michigan University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. Eastern Michigan University is a fairly large public school located in Ypsilanti, Michigan that handed out 3,098 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Eastern Michigan undergraduate students pay an average of $16,410 in tuition and fees each year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $25,636 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Eastern Michigan does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 81% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #16, Lake Superior State University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. Lake Superior State University is a small public school located in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan that handed out 338 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Lake Superior State University are $13,728 per year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $23,874 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Lake Superior State University does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 39% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
University of Michigan - Dearborn ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Michigan list. UM Dearborn is located in Dearborn, Michigan and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,537 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UM Dearborn are $29,584 per year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $25,177 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at UM Dearborn. During the 2020-2021 year, about 77% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Siena Heights University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #18 on the list. Siena Heights University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Adrian, Michigan. It awarded 550 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Siena Heights University undergraduate students pay an average of $29,044 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,973 in student loans.
Siena Heights University does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 62% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Siena Heights University excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in Michigan list.
Davenport University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #19 on the list. Located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 935 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Davenport University are $22,242 per year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $28,433 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Davenport University does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 78% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #20, Andrews University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in Berrien Springs, Michigan, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 325 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Andrews are $32,734 per year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $24,437 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Andrews does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 33% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Hope College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Michigan list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Holland, Michigan, and it awarded 837 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Hope are $37,221 a year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,118 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Hope. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 40% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #22, Madonna University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in Livonia, Michigan, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 601 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
Madonna undergraduate students pay an average of $26,100 in tuition and fees each year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $23,707 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Madonna does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 73% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Rochester University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #23 on the list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Rochester Hills, Michigan, and it awarded 218 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at RU are $26,736 a year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,088 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that RU does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 79% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Alma College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree trade school programs. Alma is located in Alma, Michigan and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 362 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Alma are $45,616 a year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Alma. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 1% took at least some of their classes online.
Concordia University, Ann Arbor came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Michigan ranking. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 172 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Concordia University, Ann Arbor are $32,982 a year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $25,316 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Best Value Trade Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
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).
- 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.