Over the years, Michigan has earned a reputation for online academic institutions that deliver quality education. According to the Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute, 11.5% of Michigan students at public post-secondary academic institutions were enrolled in at least one online program course, accounting for just under 28,000 Michigan students across 15 Michigan colleges and universities. The report determined that the statistics would rise in the coming years, as more and more educational institutions in the state offer online degree programs.
With more than 100 degree-granting schools, Michigan is one of the best choices to earn your post-secondary degree. Online colleges and universities in Michigan have grown progressively over the last few years. In 2016, the Michigan Department of Education developed an initiative named Top 10 in 10 Years, intending to make Michigan one of the top 10 education states by 2026. The Department of Education has created different strategies and objectives for reaching its goals, including establishing outstanding student support by providing more non-traditional learning opportunities such as online degree programs.
During 2006, the state of Michigan became the first state to require all students to enroll in an online course to finish high school. This practice was done to better prepare students for distance education in their undergraduate level of studies.
Currently, the majority of Michigan’s accredited schools are offering online degree programs, making it more challenging for students to find the perfect college or university fit.
METHODOLOGY
What makes these 5 Top Online Schools in Michigan highly recommended? Our staff and writers at OnlineSchoolsCenter.com determined the online schools that made it to the list following a thorough evaluation of their features. In cataloging the best-quality online schools in the state, we took these essential factors into account:
- Competent online instructors who adopt impressive and effective online teaching styles,
- An extensive curriculum and rigorous coursework to bring out the best in each student,
- A top-rated virtual online platform with advanced features that guarantee ease of online coursework access,
- Full accreditation from organizations and agencies that promote and maintain high-quality online college programs.
Read our Methodology Page to learn more about the ranking process.
Michigan State University
Michigan State University provides wide-ranging academic and research opportunities to more than 50,000 students. Online students can choose from a wide variety of online degree programs in undergraduate and graduate degrees, specializations, and minors. Students access online learning resources through the university’s Desire2Learn Platform.
Distance learners pay tuition based on the status of their residency and type of online degree program. The university offers numerous financial aid programs such as the Mildred B. Erickson Scholarship for returnees, and Detroit Compact Scholarship for high school graduates. Also, MSU advocates the Spartan Advantage Program, helping distance learners with the greatest financial need to cover 100% on the expense of their studies.
MSU offers two online bachelor’s degree programs. The B.A. in Early Care and Education offers a limited enrollment for students who are already working in the related field. The program requires 120-credit hours for completion. Students take up mandatory core courses in working with families in early care and education, understanding and adapting for developmental differences in early care and education, and development of curriculum for children (ages 4-8) among other featured courses. Also, students must undergo three practicums for the completion of this program.
Like other online academic institutions in Michigan, the university has a BSN (RN-to-BSN Track) for professionals with unrestricted nursing licenses. Part-time distance learners can earn this degree in five semesters. Mandatory courses include integrative studies in social science, community and population health nursing, foundations of nursing practice, and transitions to BSN practice.
Graduate students can explore MSU’s 40 diverse master’s and online doctorate programs in different areas of study including criminal justice, education, food safety, physics, special education, youth development, and teaching & curriculum to name a few. Program requirements and length vary per degree programs.
Location: East Lansing, Michigan
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application for Admission
- GPA of 3.0
- Official Transcript of Records
- Three Letters of Recommendation
- Latest Resume/CV
- Letter of Intent
- GRE Score
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University is one of the 100 most prominent universities in the country, providing education to more than 23,000 students annually. The university offers 200 academic programs, including distance learning programs through the Blackboard Learn platform. CMU is among the affordable colleges and universities in Michigan that provides cheaper tuition rates based on online degree programs and requirements. Online students have the opportunity to receive financial support, including programs like the Michigan Community College Academic Achievement Award, and the Global Campus Endowed Scholarship.
CMU offers 34 online degree programs in the undergraduate and graduate degree levels as well as specialized programs and certifications. One of the popular bachelor’s degree programs of CMU is the B.S. in Business Administration, providing students the professional preparation for careers in the government, industry, and business sectors. This 120-credit hour online program has required core courses in business ethics, principles of macroeconomics, integrated marketing management, business law, essential business skills, and introduction to financial accounting.
Also, CMU has 13 master’s degree programs in areas of study such as information systems, special education, education, public administration, entrepreneurial ventures, educational leadership, and public health, among many others. Students who want to immerse in practitioner-based learning experiences that enhance their skills and public service competencies can enroll in the Master of Public Administration program. This 37-credit hour online master’s program has required core courses in public budgeting and finance, organization theory in public administration, public personnel administration practice, program analysis & evaluation, and public policy process.
Location: Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application Form
- Application Fee
- Official High School Transcript of Records
- Official Transcripts from previous University or College
- GED Test Score
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Andrews University
Andrews University enrolls over 5,000 students in more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs, considering it as the second-largest Christian higher education network in the world. Online students access a diverse selection of online undergraduate and graduate degree programs through the Moodle platform.
The university provides affordable per-credit and full-semester tuition rates based on the degree program. They offer numerous financial assistance opportunities to qualified students, including the Andrews Partnership Scholarship for freshman undergraduate candidates. Nursing students and most graduate students can qualify and apply for tuition-reduction programs based on their GPAs and standardized test scores.
Andrews University has a two-year and four-year program in general studies, enabling students to design an online degree program aligned with their professional goals. This online degree program is in an asynchronous learning format and has open admissions year-round. Applicants must have at least a GPA of 2.5 and SAT or ACT Test Scores if they finished high school within the past three years.
Establishing a unique faith-based reputation across Michigan, the university offers a Bachelor of Arts in Religion program that provides students engaging in Adventist ministry with a flexible and convenient degree completion option. The program requires 124-credit hours and with an online format in self-paced learning. Students take major courses such as Theology I and II, Introduction to Old Testament, Religion & Ethics in Modern Society, Introduction to the New Testament, and Jesus in His Time and Ours among others. The program also includes 31 elective hours, allowing students to complete a minor or second major. Also, the university has program entry dates for January, May, and August.
Location: Berrien Springs, Michigan
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application for Admission
- Official High School Transcripts
- GPA of 2.5 or higher
- Official ACT or SAT Test Scores
- Official Transcript of Records from previous College or University
- English Language Proficiency Test Scores (If English is not their First Language)
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Ferris State University
Ferris State University is one of the few universities in the country that accepts female students in its first class. Currently, the university enrolls more than 15,000 learners and operates comprehensive educational programming through nine colleges. Moreover, Ferris offers more than 30 online programs, giving them the skills they need to advance their career further and the flexibility to enroll in classes whenever and wherever. The university integrates Blackboard Learn platform as their primary learning content management for online education. Ferris State offers financial support, including scholarship programs for online and returnees.
Most of the online baccalaureate programs require students to transfer at least 48-credit hours of prior academic work. Areas of study include business administration, automotive management, health information management, nursing (RN-to-BSN), integrative studies, and respiratory therapy. Students typically obtain their credentials in two years.
One of the unique online degree programs of Ferris State is the Bachelor of Science in Automotive Management that provides the essentials skills and knowledge to advance their career in the automotive industry. This 120-credit hour online program helps students gain practical experience and technical skills in marketing, management, accounting, and customer relations in dealerships and manufacturers. Core required courses include automotive marketing & distribution, management, legal environment of business, and manufacturing leadership.
Graduate students can choose from the university’s online master’s degree offerings in business administration, information security and intelligence, healthcare administration, and public health. Also, the university has two nursing master’s programs, namely the traditional master of science in nursing, and the accelerated nursing RN to MSN track. Both programs receive accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
Location: Big Rapids, Michigan
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application for Admission
- Official Transcript of Records
- GPA of 2.3 or higher
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Oakland University
Oakland University is a public research university that caters to over 20,000 students, hosting an academic catalog that has 270 undergraduate and graduate degrees. Also, the university integrates Moodle platform of which many online students can access learning resources, coursework, and other relevant learning programs. The university has affordable tuition fees and expenses based on residency status and type of program. Distance learners pay in-state tuition fees for their online degree programs. All students enjoy financial support opportunities, including scholarships and grants for accounting, finance, and nursing students.
The university offers an RN-to-BSN track for active nursing professionals with an unencumbered license and a diploma or associate degree in nursing. The bachelor’s degree equivalent requires 32 credits, allowing full-time students to earn this degree in one year, and part-time students can finish in 20 months.
Oakland University’s Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health and Safety helps prepare students to develop and foster workplace conditions in the construction, healthcare, and manufacturing industries. The 125-credit hour online program has core required courses in business writing, introduction to health and health behaviors, human biology, contemporary world business, and introduction to psychology among other featured courses.
The university also offers six online master’s degree programs in reading and language arts, safety management, engineering management, higher education leadership, and special education. The Master of Education in Special Education comes in two concentrations, namely Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Emotional Impairment. The Autism Spectrum Disorder program requires 44-credit hours for completion. Students take courses in Assessment in Special Education, Quality of Life, Legal Issues in Special Education, Collaboration and Consultation Skills, and Community Engagement and Service, among others.
Location: Rochester Hills, Michigan
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application for Admission
- Official High School Transcripts
- ACT or SAT Test Scores
- GPA of 2.0 or higher
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
In Michigan, college students pay $21,380 for four-year, in-state universities, indicating slightly higher than the national average of $21,370. Distance learners often pay a lesser amount for online education than for traditional classes, since they do not need to pay for parking, room and lodging, and transportation. The state of Michigan remains one of the 12-member states to be part of the Midwestern Higher Education Compact. Through this association, students enrolled at public colleges or universities in member states can reap the benefits of non-resident tuition discounts, a more comprehensive selection of courses, and streamlined transfer procedures. Also, it has opened so many doors for its in-state online students, capturing Michigan’s support for online education.
Michigan Colleges Online brings together 28 community colleges and universities spread across the state so that learners either enrolled in one of the 28 academic institutions or out-of-state students interested in assessing a set of coursework can do so virtually. The MCO website hosts a current directory of several courses and online degree programs that students can pursue and then helps them through the admission process. Moreover, MCO pushes the state’s campaign for more online higher education opportunities.
Through the Midwest Student Exchange Program, distance learners from specific Midwest states can attend schools in other states at a discounted expense. It opened opportunities to more students in Midwest states with several post-secondary studies options at affordable rates. Many academic institutions in Kansas, Illinois, Minnesota, North Dakota, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Nebraska, and Missouri partake in the unique program. Prospective students from these member states may enroll in one of the participating institutions in a different state, paying no more than 150% of the in-state tuition at public colleges or universities.
METHODOLOGY
With college tuition rates rising steeply, traditional and online students in Michigan wish they had better, more affordable options. Indeed, when finding the best online school in which to enroll, affordability is a major consideration. To help you in your search, we put together the 5 Best Value Online Schools in Michigan. These online colleges and universities feature showcase low-cost tuition and fees without compromising the quality of education they deliver.
Northern Michigan University
Northern Michigan University has more than 8,000 enrolled students, making it the most prominent higher education institution in Michigan’s upper peninsula. Online students engage in a variety of online courses through the university’s Global Campus. NMU is considered one of the most affordable universities around Michigan, providing numerous scholarship opportunities among its students. Also, distance learners can take advantage of the generous transfer policies of NMU. It allows community college students to apply up to 64 credit hours before program completion.
NMU offers certificate programs in Applied Workplace Leadership that only require 16-credit hours for completion. The program has core courses in leadership in diverse workplaces, effective communication in the workplace, assessment in the workplace, and ethical leadership in the workplace. On the other hand, the bachelor’s degree equivalent requires 120-credit hours for program completion. Students take courses in introduction to economics, social problems, introduction to probability and statistics, and finite mathematics.
Tuition Fees vary per degree program. Fall, Winter and Summer Rates cost $437 per credit hour for the undergraduate lower division, while undergraduate upper-division costs $459.50 per credit hour. Graduate programs require $567 per credit hour except for the Doctor of Nursing Program, which costs $745 per credit hour, and the Master of Science in Clinical Molecular Genetics costs $627 per credit hour. A Distance Education Fee of $50 per credit hour is charged for all undergraduate and graduate online degree programs. Also, NMU provides several financial aid opportunities for its Global Campus students. They are encouraged to contact NMU’s Financial Aid Office to explore different possibilities for financial assistance.
Location: Marquette, Michigan
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application for Admission
- Official Transcript of Records
- ACT or SAT Test Scores
- $35 Non-Refundable Application Fee
- GPA of 2.25 or higher
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
University of Michigan-Flint
The University of Michigan-Flint offers seven certificates, seven minors, nine undergraduate, and 12 graduate online degree programs through the Blackboard Learn platform. Undergraduate students can choose from UM- Flint’s popular programs such as the Bachelor of Business Administration- General Studies, Bachelor of Applied Science, and Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Program requirements and length vary per degree program. In contrast, prospective graduate students can choose from graduate offerings such as the Master of Science in Accounting, Master of Arts in Liberal Studies, Master of Arts in Education Technology, and Doctor of Nursing Practice.
One of the unique programs offered by UM-Flint is the Bachelor of Science in Substance Use Treatment and Intervention, designed to meet the requirements of students who plan to prepare for a career in Substance Use Treatment at the baccalaureate level as well as students who seek eligibility for the Certified Alcohol and Drug Counseling certification program. This online program consists of 64-credit hours of core courses in substance abuse, 40-credit hours in general education courses, and 20-credit hours in elective courses.
The university offers low tuition fees and expenses based on the program level and degree type. All distance and on-campus students enjoy financial assistance, including five scholarships for transfer applicants. Undergraduate lower division tuition costs $450.00 per credit hour for in-state students, while out-of-state students pay $895.00 per credit hour. Graduate programs differ in tuition fees depending on the program and major. Distance learners have the opportunities to qualify for work-study programs, state grants, and federal loan programs.
Location: Flint, Michigan
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application for Admission
- High School Diploma
- High School GPA of 3.7
- 27 ACT Test Score or 1260 SAT Test Score
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Eastern Michigan University
Eastern Michigan University provides comprehensive and academic programs to more than 20,300 enrolled students through its seven colleges. The university takes pride in its online degree programs that are tailored to meet the needs of working professionals, offering them flexibility and convenience of an online education. EMU integrates the Canvas platform, the learning content management system that allows students to access coursework, assignments, and other relevant resources online.
Undergraduate programs of EMU includes a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics, Bachelor of Science in Technology Management, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing. On the other hand, graduate students can choose from the master’s degree offerings in areas of study such as education, human nutrition, quality management, social sciences, and nutrition. Program requirements and length differ per program. Bachelor’s degree programs typically require at least 120-credit hours while the master’s degree programs require at least 36-credit hours for program completion.
EMU’s online students pay low tuition fees and expenses based on residency status and program type. Undergraduate non-resident (off-campus) students pay $27,170 annually, graduate non-resident (on-campus and off-campus) students pay $16,584 per year, and doctoral non-resident (on-campus and off-campus) students pay $18,756 per year. All indicated fees do not include miscellaneous fees and other related expenses.
The university offers financial assistance to all its students based on enrollment status and majors. They have a wide selection of financial aid types where students can qualify and submit their application.
Location: Ypsilanti, Michigan
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application for Admission
- ACT or SAT Test Scores
- Official Transcript of Records
- Residency Status
- Official High School Transcripts
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Wayne State University
Wayne State University is considered Michigan’s most diverse academic institution located in downtown Detroit. The university offers a wide selection of quality online degree programs as well as certificate programs that provide affordable and convenient learning options for students who wish to pursue and advance a career in many fields and industries.
Wayne students can choose from the Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Science in Mortuary Science programs. The master’s degree offerings include Master of Arts in Sports Administration, Master of Education in Career & Technical Education, Master of Education in Learning Design & Technology, Master of Science in Information Management, Master of Science in Criminal Justice, Master of Library and Information Science, and Master of Arts in Theatre and Dance. Each program has different program requirements, course highlights, and program length. Depending on the student’s pace of learning, they can earn their degrees in a shorter period than the regular schedule.
Wayne State Tuition Fees differ per program and majors. In-state Undergraduate students pay $397.05 per credit hour for lower-division courses and $471.19 per credit hour for upper-division courses, while out-of-state undergraduate students pay $909.40 per credit hour for lower-division courses and $1,083.52 per credit hour for upper-division courses. On the other hand, graduate in-state students pay $678.55 per credit hour, while out-of-state graduate students pay $1,469.75 per credit hour. The university offers several types of financial aid programs for qualified students depending on enrollment status and majors.
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application for Admission
- GPA of 2.5 or higher
- TOEFL for Non-English Speakers
- Official Transcript of Records
- Official High School Transcripts
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Cornerstone University
Cornerstone University provides education opportunities for busy working professionals in various areas of study including business, education, psychology, human services and ministry. The university utilizes the Moodle learning management system and offers helpful resources for students both online and on-campus.
The university has two associate programs in business studies and human services. Undergraduate students may also opt for bachelor’s degree programs in areas such as psychology, ministry leadership and business administration and leadership, which includes a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management. This 46-credit hour program empowers students to pursue a variety of lucrative and rewarding career opportunities to accomplish their goals. Most students can earn their bachelor’s degree in as little as 20-22 months.
Graduate students can choose from CU’s 12 master’s degree programs and one doctoral program in areas such as business administration, leadership, ministry, education and counseling. These degrees are offered at either the Professional & Graduate Studies (PGS) division or Grand Rapids Theological Seminary (GRTS) – program requirements and duration vary by degree program.
Tuition fees vary by degree program and requirements. Per credit hour tuition cost is $355 for the associate programs; $450 for bachelor’s programs; $495-570 for master’s programs and $665 for the doctoral program. In addition to tuition, students are responsible for additional educational resources, application and reservation fees during their program.
With a commitment to empowering students to thrive in their program, Cornerstone University provides a wealth of financial aid opportunities to students including scholarships, grants and additional resources.
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Admission Requirements:
- Varies by program type and level
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission,
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs,
- Association of Theological Schools
