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Best Value Accounting and Related Services Colleges in Michigan

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Albion College stands out among Michigan accounting programs, with graduates earning $62,632 annually despite a net cost of $16,882. This private college produces the highest-earning accounting graduates in the state, though public alternatives like University of Michigan-Dearborn offer strong value at just $10,904 net cost with $51,106 median earnings. Michigan's automotive giants Ford, GM, and Stellantis continue hiring accounting professionals to manage complex manufacturing operations and financial reporting. The state's 15 accounting programs show remarkable cost variation, from $10,904 to $25,749, while graduation rates span from 31% at Baker College to 82% at Michigan State. Public universities dominate the best-value rankings, with eight of the top ten spots offering in-state tuition under $16,000. Michigan State commands the highest net cost at $20,751 but justifies this with $59,982 graduate earnings and an 82% graduation rate.
35
Programs
$10,904 – $33,995
Net Price Range
$48,114
Avg. Program Earnings
57.1%
Avg. Graduation Rate

35 Accounting and Related Services Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $10,904 $51,106 $14,944 56.6% 54.1%
2 $13,584 $56,544 $14,694 56.9% 90.1%
3 $16,882 $62,632 $55,746 57.1% 66.5%
4 $12,202 $44,830 $13,630 47.9% 87.9%
5 $12,280 $42,682 $14,014 44.6% 66.4%
6 $14,773 $50,320 $14,297 56.5% 75.3%
7 $16,041 $51,012 $14,190 61.8% 79.0%
8 $14,582 $44,468 $12,240 53.8% 76.4%
9 $17,096 $50,782 $14,628 68.6% 90.4%
10 $20,751 $59,982 $15,988 82.2% 88.0%
11 $15,171 $40,927 $12,810 31.3% 36.7%
12 $17,084 $44,170 $15,510 45.5% 83.2%
13 $17,485 $44,189 $13,304 50.8% 70.6%
14 $14,368 $35,988 $14,266 56.9% 76.9%
15 $18,701 $45,435 $15,298 57.8% 84.6%
16 $24,783 $57,564 $38,670 77.4% 74.2%
17 $25,749 $58,777 $40,420 82.3% 80.5%
18 $20,899 $46,673 $32,580 59.9% 47.3%
19 $17,185 $38,289 $29,778 51.1% 65.0%
20 $18,902 $41,338 $38,520 62.5% 90.8%
21 $19,988 $42,868 $23,324 49.5% 98.9%
22 $26,409 $52,941 $34,200 50.0% 70.2%
23 $26,429 $52,941 $33,000 61.1% 79.7%
24 $19,245 $38,289 $27,938 41.4% 71.4%
25 $21,019 $24,842 39.4% 67.5%
26 $24,663 $47,430 63.7% 64.7%
27 $18,597 $33,710 65.9% 91.3%
28 $28,458 $26,390 53.6% 75.7%
29 $21,158 $33,076 37.0% 84.6%
30 $22,384 $29,100 61.6% 81.8%
31 $15,729 $18,392 68.7% 93.7%
32 $17,815 $27,360 58.1% 64.8%
33 $33,995 $41,872 62.6% 81.9%
34 $21,504 $40,556 56.0% 69.1%
35 $16,179 $32,300 68.1% 90.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Michigan-Dearborn the top value for accounting students?

Michigan-Dearborn combines the lowest net cost in the state at $10,904 with solid graduate earnings of $51,106. Students graduate with manageable debt of $21,750 and benefit from a 57% acceptance rate. The program maintains a 56.6% graduation rate while providing access to Detroit's financial sector.

How much do accounting graduates earn across Michigan programs?

Graduate earnings range from $35,988 at Lake Superior State to $62,632 at Albion College, a $26,644 spread. Michigan State graduates earn $59,982 annually, while most public university graduates earn between $44,000-$52,000. Albion College's $62,632 median represents the highest return on investment despite higher costs.

Is there a significant cost difference between public and private accounting programs?

Public programs offer substantial savings, with net costs ranging from $10,904 to $20,751 compared to private Albion at $16,882. In-state tuition at public universities averages $14,500, while out-of-state students face higher costs. Baker College, despite being private, charges only $12,810 in-state but has concerning graduation rates.

Does graduation rate vary significantly among Michigan accounting programs?

Graduation rates show dramatic variation, from Baker College's concerning 31.3% to Michigan State's impressive 82.2%. Most public universities maintain graduation rates between 45-68%, with Grand Valley State at 68.6% leading regional universities. Albion College achieves 57.1% despite its small size and high academic standards.

Where do Michigan accounting graduates find the best job opportunities?

Detroit's automotive sector employs many accounting graduates at Ford, GM, and Stellantis for financial reporting and cost analysis. Grand Rapids offers opportunities in furniture manufacturing and healthcare systems, while university towns provide accounting roles in education and local businesses. The Michigan Achievement Scholarship provides up to $5,500 for in-state students, reducing costs further.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.