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University of Michigan-Ann Arbor graduates earning $83,177 annually create a striking contrast with Lake Superior State University graduates at $33,993, showing how dramatically outcomes vary among Michigan's business programs. Despite this earnings gap, UM-Ann Arbor's net cost of $14,832 places it in the middle of the affordability range, making it accessible to students who qualify for its highly selective admissions process at just 17.69% acceptance. Michigan's automotive headquarters in Detroit and expanding tech corridors provide abundant internship and career opportunities for business students, particularly in operations management and supply chain roles. The state's public universities dominate the most affordable options, with University of Michigan-Dearborn leading at $10,904 net cost while delivering solid $52,941 median earnings. The Michigan Achievement Scholarship adds up to $5,500 in support for in-state students, making these already reasonable costs even more manageable for Michigan residents pursuing business careers.
38
Programs
$10,904 – $33,995
Net Price Range
$48,257
Avg. Program Earnings
57.2%
Avg. Graduation Rate

38 Business Administration, Management and Operations Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $10,904 $14,944 56.6% 54.1%
2 $12,202 $13,630 47.9% 87.9%
3 $12,280 $14,014 44.6% 66.4%
4 $13,584 $14,694 56.9% 90.1%
5 $13,996 $14,992 42.9% 99.7%
6 $14,368 $14,266 56.9% 76.9%
7 $14,582 $12,240 53.8% 76.4%
8 $14,832 $17,228 93.2% 17.7%
9 $15,171 $12,810 31.3% 36.7%
10 $15,729 $18,392 68.7% 93.7%
11 $16,041 $14,190 61.8% 79.0%
12 $16,179 $32,300 68.1% 90.5%
13 $16,882 $55,746 57.1% 66.5%
14 $17,084 $15,510 45.5% 83.2%
15 $17,096 $14,628 68.6% 90.4%
16 $17,185 $29,778 51.1% 65.0%
17 $17,485 $13,304 50.8% 70.6%
18 $17,815 $27,360 58.1% 64.8%
19 $18,597 $33,710 65.9% 91.3%
20 $18,700 $19,990 25.9%
21 $18,701 $15,298 57.8% 84.6%
22 $18,902 $38,520 62.5% 90.8%
23 $19,245 $27,938 41.4% 71.4%
24 $19,988 $23,324 49.5% 98.9%
25 $20,751 $15,988 82.2% 88.0%
26 $20,899 $32,580 59.9% 47.3%
27 $21,019 $24,842 39.4% 67.5%
28 $21,158 $33,076 37.0% 84.6%
29 $21,504 $40,556 56.0% 69.1%
30 $22,384 $29,100 61.6% 81.8%
31 $24,663 $47,430 63.7% 64.7%
32 $24,783 $38,670 77.4% 74.2%
33 $25,749 $40,420 82.3% 80.5%
34 $26,409 $34,200 50.0% 70.2%
35 $26,429 $33,000 61.1% 79.7%
36 $28,458 $26,390 53.6% 75.7%
37 $33,092 $46,380 70.5% 80.8%
38 $33,995 $41,872 62.6% 81.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Michigan-Ann Arbor worth considering despite its 17.69% acceptance rate?

UM-Ann Arbor graduates earn $83,177 annually, nearly double the earnings of most other programs on this list. The school maintains a 93.20% graduation rate and produces graduates with just $19,000 in debt, well below the average. At $14,832 net cost, it delivers strong value for students who gain admission.

How do public university costs compare to private options for business students?

Public universities dominate the most affordable tier, with seven of the top eight spots occupied by state schools. University of Detroit Mercy stands out as the only private school under $17,000 net cost at $16,179. Most public options range from $10,904 to $17,096, while private schools typically cost significantly more.

Where do Michigan business graduates find the best earning potential?

Ann Arbor leads earnings at $83,177, followed by Michigan Tech at $59,124 and Oakland University at $57,318. These three schools show how location and program strength impact post-graduation outcomes. Even mid-tier earners like Central Michigan at $52,107 provide solid returns on investment.

Is graduation rate a concern at the most affordable schools?

Graduation rates vary significantly among affordable options, from Baker College's 31.30% to UM-Ann Arbor's 93.20%. University of Michigan-Dearborn maintains a respectable 56.60% rate while offering the lowest net cost. Students should weigh affordability against completion likelihood when choosing programs.

Does the Michigan Achievement Scholarship impact these net costs?

The scholarship provides up to $5,500 annually for Michigan residents, which can reduce already low net costs further. At University of Michigan-Dearborn's $10,904 net cost, this scholarship could cut expenses to around $5,400. The benefit applies to in-state students across all public universities in the state.

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