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2026 Best Value Trade Schools in Michigan
Looking for the best-value Trade degree programs in Michigan? This list ranks 160 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Trade College reviewed 44 schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Trade Degree Schools in Michigan
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Our analysis found Wayne County Community College District to be the best-value Trade school in Michigan. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $29,079 ten years after entry. Set against $20,820 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Wayne County Community College District report
Washtenaw Community College came in at #2 on this year's best-value Trade ranking in Michigan. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,449 ten years after entry. Set against $17,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Washtenaw Community College profile
Oakland Community College came in at #3 on this year's best-value Trade ranking in Michigan. 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. Oakland Community College alumni report median earnings of $37,395 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Oakland Community College report
You'll get strong value at West Shore Community College, which ranked #4 this year. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,115. Set against $17,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full West Shore Community College report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Schoolcraft College earned it the #5 place in Michigan. 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. Schoolcraft College alumni report median earnings of $42,722 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Schoolcraft College
Kellogg Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,329. Set against $20,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Kellogg Community College profile
Henry Ford Community College landed the #7 spot for value 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. Median earnings reach $34,795 ten years out. Set against $18,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Henry Ford Community College report
Delta College placed #8 among the best-value Trade schools in Michigan. 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. Delta College alumni report median earnings of $37,781 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Delta College
Mott Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. 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. Median earnings reach $32,538 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $20,645 median debt. Read more about Mott Community College
Macomb Community College placed #10 among the best-value Trade schools in Michigan. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,596. Set against $9,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Macomb Community College
Lansing Community College landed the #11 spot for value 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,206. Set against $16,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Lansing Community College
Kirtland Community College came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. 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. Kirtland Community College alumni report median earnings of $35,831 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $17,333 median debt. More on Kirtland Community College
Jackson Community College came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. Set in Jackson, MI, Jackson Community College is a public institution. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,898. That is a strong return on a $16,960 median debt. More on Jackson Community College
Glen Oaks Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,540. That is a strong return on a $13,764 median debt. See the full Glen Oaks Community College profile
Kalamazoo Valley Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. 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. Kalamazoo Valley Community College alumni report median earnings of $38,618 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Grand Rapids Community College landed the #16 spot for value in Michigan this year. 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. Median earnings reach $38,377 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Grand Rapids Community College report
Northwestern Michigan College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Based in Traverse City, MI, Northwestern Michigan College is a public institution. 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. Median earnings reach $38,167 ten years out. Set against $17,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Northwestern Michigan College profile
St Clair County Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,177 ten years after entry. Set against $16,379 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on St Clair County Community College
Lake Michigan College offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. 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. Median earnings reach $34,466 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $14,473 median debt. Get the full Lake Michigan College report
Alpena Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Located in Alpena, MI, Alpena Community College is a public institution. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,442. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Alpena Community College
Monroe County Community College placed #21 among the best-value 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. Monroe County Community College alumni report median earnings of $41,646 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Monroe County Community College
Gogebic Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,950 ten years after entry. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Gogebic Community College
North Central Michigan College offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,594 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,398 median debt. Get the full North Central Michigan College report
Ferris State University placed #24 among the best-value Trade schools in Michigan. Located in Big Rapids, MI, Ferris State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. The median Trade program debt is $23,562. Ferris State University alumni report median earnings of $54,735 a decade after entry. Set against $23,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Ferris State University
Michigan State University offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. Set in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $67,253. That is a strong return on a $25,213 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%. See the full Michigan State University profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Trade Degree Schools in Michigan
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
Mid Michigan Community College ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. 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. Median earnings reach $37,319 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Mid Michigan Community College
Muskegon Community College landed the #27 spot for value in Michigan this year. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,549 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Muskegon Community College
Central Michigan University offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. Central Michigan University is a public school based in Mount Pleasant, MI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Typical Trade student debt is $27,857. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,874. That is a strong return on a $27,857 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%. See the full Central Michigan University profile
Wayne State University offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. Located in Detroit, MI, Wayne State University is a public institution. 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. Median earnings reach $53,493 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%. See the full Wayne State University profile
Bay De Noc Community College ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. 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. Bay De Noc Community College alumni report median earnings of $35,090 a decade after entry. Set against $17,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Bay De Noc Community College
Southwestern Michigan College landed the #31 spot for value in Michigan this year. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,303 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Southwestern Michigan College
University Of Michigan Flint landed the #32 spot for value in Michigan this year. Set in Flint, MI, University Of Michigan Flint is a public institution. 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. University Of Michigan Flint alumni report median earnings of $53,230 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of Michigan Flint
Michigan Technological University landed the #33 spot for value in Michigan this year. Located in Houghton, MI, Michigan Technological University is a public institution. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $78,198. Set against $25,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan Technological University admits about 92% of applicants. Read the full report on Michigan Technological University
Grand Valley State University offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. Set in Allendale, MI, Grand Valley State University is a public institution. 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. Grand Valley State University alumni report median earnings of $56,118 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grand Valley State University has an acceptance rate of 83%. Read more about Grand Valley State University
Baker College Of Flint landed the #35 spot for value in Michigan this year. Located in Owosso, MI, Baker College Of Flint is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,000. Typical Trade student debt is $30,688. Median earnings reach $35,833 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $30,688 median debt. About 82% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Baker College Of Flint
Western Michigan University placed #36 among the best-value Trade schools in Michigan. Set in Kalamazoo, MI, Western Michigan University is a public institution. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,562. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants. See the full Western Michigan University profile
Northern Michigan University ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Set in Marquette, MI, Northern Michigan University is a public institution. 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. Median earnings reach $47,107 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $22,608 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%. Read more about Northern Michigan University
Oakland University placed #38 among the best-value Trade schools in Michigan. This public school is set in Rochester Hills, MI. 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. Median earnings reach $58,612 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%. See the full Oakland University profile
Eastern Michigan University placed #39 among the best-value Trade schools in Michigan. Set in Ypsilanti, MI, Eastern Michigan University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Typical Trade student debt is $28,781. Median earnings reach $51,793 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted. See the full Eastern Michigan University profile
Lake Superior State University ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Located in Sault Ste Marie, MI, Lake Superior State University is a public institution. 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. Lake Superior State University alumni report median earnings of $49,045 a decade after entry. Set against $22,429 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Lake Superior State University report
University Of Michigan Dearborn landed the #41 spot for value in Michigan this year. Set in Dearborn, MI, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a public institution. 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. University Of Michigan Dearborn alumni report median earnings of $59,649 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%. See the full University Of Michigan Dearborn profile
Siena Heights University placed #42 among the best-value Trade schools in Michigan. Siena Heights University is a private not-for-profit school based in Adrian, MI. In-state tuition and fees average $30,778. Siena Heights University Trade students take on a median of $25,790 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,529 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%. More on Siena Heights University
Davenport University ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Davenport University is a private not-for-profit school based in Grand Rapids, MI. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $45,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%. Read more about Davenport University
University Of Detroit Mercy came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. Set in Detroit, MI, University Of Detroit Mercy is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $32,946 in tuition and fees. The median Trade program debt is $29,053. Median earnings reach $71,030 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of Detroit Mercy
Michigan College Of Beauty Troy came in at #45 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Michigan College Of Beauty Troy
Montcalm Community College ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Read the full report on Montcalm Community College
Ross Medical Education Center Davison landed the #47 spot for value in Michigan this year. Read the full report on Ross Medical Education Center Davison
Western Theological Seminary ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Get the full Western Theological Seminary report
Ross Medical Education Center Kalamazoo landed the #49 spot for value in Michigan this year. See the full Ross Medical Education Center Kalamazoo profile
Northwestern Technological Institute landed the #50 spot for value in Michigan this year. Read the full report on Northwestern Technological Institute
More Trade Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 44 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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