In high school, a friend and I spent a weekend at Central Michigan University visiting her brother. We had So. Much. Fun., we decided right then and there to become Chippewas.
But after falling in love with Michigan State’s campus via a little detour on our way home, we changed our minds. And that’s the story of how we rocked a little town called East Lansing for four years.
Pretty unsophisticated decision-making, I’ll admit. Times have changed, but if your college-bound student is on the fence, they don’t need to go to school out of state to have a great experience. In fact, there are plenty of in-state college advantages.
What are the advantages of attending college in Michigan?
“I don’t think families and students recognize the gem of colleges and universities we have in this state,” says Holly Markiecki-Bennetts, former president of the Michigan Association for College Admissions Counseling (MACAC), an independent college consultant in metro Detroit and counselor at Mercy High School in Farmington Hills. “The grass is always greener.”
Plus, the benefits of being close, even living at home, can add up. “In addition to a potentially significant cost savings, attending a local school can offer more flexibility — such as scheduling classes around work and other life commitments,” says Patti Swanson, former vice president and chief marketing and enrollment officer at Walsh College.
Here are 18 reasons students should consider the in-state college advantages that come with attending a school right here in Michigan.
1. Michigan offers many high-quality college choices
Michigan has 93 colleges and universities, including 15 public universities and 31 community colleges and tribal colleges.
2. Campus settings as varied and diverse
From urban campuses in Detroit and Grand Rapids, to colleges in the Upper Peninsula surrounded by wilderness, Michigan colleges can supply any scenery your kid wants to be part of.
3. Grand Valley State University delivers a trifecta
With a main campus in the rural setting of Allendale and another in the bustling city of Grand Rapids, your student can experience both the rural and suburban flavors. Plus, it’s a half hour from Lake Michigan (which also hosts some pretty great Michigan state parks camping options when it’s time for a getaway).
4. Traveling home for the holidays is easy
Travel expenses can be awfully expensive, especially if you are attending school on the other side of the country.
5. Weekends at home are an option when needed
It’s not uncommon for students to visit home often, especially in that first semester. They soon transition to staying on campus full-time, but you’ll be glad they’re close to home if they need you.
6. Michigan is a leader in engineering schools
There’s Michigan Tech in the UP, a favored choice for STEM students with a hankering for broomball (which is like hockey but without the skates). Kettering University in Flint boasts a famous alumna in Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors.
Closer to the Motor City, there’s Lawrence Technological University in Southfield. “With so many Fortune 500 companies in the area, this is a really great location for students looking for engineering and technology jobs,” says LTU associate director of admissions Aubriex Cason.
7. A handful of Michigan colleges offer aerospace engineering
“People are surprised to learn Western Michigan University has an aerospace engineering program,” Markiecki-Bennetts says.
It’s one of two programs in Michigan to combine flight technology with outer space – the other is offered at the University of Michigan. Lawrence Tech offers a minor in aeronautical engineering.
8. Your kid can major in golf …
If you’d like to hit the links in your 9-to-5, Ferris State has one of the oldest and most respected golf business programs in the country, Markiecki-Bennetts says.
9. … and beer
Western Michigan University’s Sustainable Brewing program focuses on the science of brewing beer. Developed in 2015, the Bachelor of Science degree isn’t for the STEM-shy – you must enjoy chemistry, physics, math, biology and business.
10. Michigan schools constantly innovate to provide relevant majors
MSU has a program called Experience Architecture, Markiecki-Bennetts says. The College of Arts and Letters program helps students become “skilled technologists who have empathy for people and an understanding of the human experience.”
Meanwhile, U-M offers a Bachelor of Science in information — where students study the relationship between people, information and technology
Lawrence Tech offers a Bachelor of Science in nursing and a five-year integrated Bachelor of Science in biology and Master of physician assistant studies.
11. If marine biology is your kid’s passion, it’s here
Consider Lake Superior State’s Fisheries and Wildlife Management program. “It’s one of the top fishery programs in the country,” says Markiecki-Bennetts.
12. Michigan offers several unique private school programs
“At Alma College, students get a stipend to design their own service or internship experience. Hope College has an excellent pre-med program. At Hillsdale, you can study for a semester in Washington, D.C.,” Markiecki-Bennetts continues. “There are so many opportunities in our state that students don’t need to leave.”
13. Michigan schools offer more affordable in-state public school tuition
While private school tuition is the same whether you attend school in or out-of-state, public school tuition is not. According to MSU’s website in fall 2024, in-state freshman tuition = $16,522. Non-Michigan freshman tuition = $43,502.
Definitely a bottom-line case for in-state college advantages.
14. Michigan has high-quality community college options
“There are really strong community college options, as well,” says Markiecki-Bennetts. Get a degree in radiologic technology from Oakland Community College, for instance, and you will enter a profession with a median annual wage of about $63,880, according to OCC’s website.
15. Michigan has effective transfer agreements
If you study at community college and want to transfer to a four-year university in Michigan, take advantage of articulation agreements.
As long as you complete the courses established between the community college and the receiving (four-year) institution, with the appropriate GPA, the credits are guaranteed to transfer, says Markiecki-Bennetts.
16. Many schools have Detroit and metro Detroit locations
With newer facilities like Wayne State’s Mike Ilitch School of Business in the heart of Detroit’s business community, or Lawrence Tech’s Detroit Center for Design and Technology in Midtown, “it’s easier to be part of the resurgence in Detroit,” says Lawrence Tech’s Cason. Also located downtown are GVSU’s Detroit Center, MSU’s Detroit Center and U-M Detroit Center — all community outreach locations in Detroit’s thriving downtown.
17. Mentorship thrives here in Michigan
Speaking of Wayne State’s new business school, if you are a first-generation undergrad, you can apply to the Corporate Mentor program, which pairs students with mid- to senior-level executives in Detroit for formal mentoring.
18. It’s easier for your kid to lug their laundry home
Enough said.
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