Michigan Teacher Colleges and Degrees Online Guide
This guide to teaching degrees in Michigan is designed to assist aspiring teachers in the state. Many universities and colleges offer teacher preparation programs, so it’s important to research and narrow down your options. On this page, you’ll find a table of accredited, state-approved teacher preparation programs and curated lists of affordable and top-ranked programs.
Table of Contents
- MI Teacher Preparation Program Comparison
- 13 Affordable MI Bachelor’s in Education Programs
- Top-Ranked Michigan Education Programs
- Best Bachelor’s in Education Programs
- Best Online M.Ed. Programs
- Schools With Associate Degrees in Education
Comparison of Michigan Schools With Teacher Preparation Programs
The table below compares 49 Michigan teacher preparation programs across key factors. All of the schools included are not-for-profit institutions approved by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE). Completing a state-approved program is a key step toward licensure. While Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accreditation is not required for licensure, we include it because CAEP is a nationally respected accreditor whose standards are recognized or accepted in many states.
Data includes enrollment, completion, and pass rates for traditional and alternative programs, based on the 2024 Title II Report (2022-2023 school year). Traditional programs are usually part of a bachelor’s degree, while alternative certification programs target career changers and may lead to a certificate or master’s degree. Many schools offer both—review our Michigan traditional certification guide and our Michigan alternative certification guide for more. Net price reflects the average annual cost for in-state undergraduates—tuition, books, room and board—minus grants and scholarships.
| State-Approved School | CAEP Accred.?1 | MDE Educator Prep Institution Score2 | Trad. Teacher Program Enrollment3 | Trad. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers3 | Trad. Licensing Exams Pass Rate3 | Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment3 | Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers3 | Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate3 | Net Price4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adrian College | Yes | 91.6% | 119 | 38 | 88% | — | — | — | $25,520 |
| Albion College | Yes | 80.0% | 61 | 18 | 98% | — | — | — | $19,557 |
| Alma College | Yes | 90.5% | 119 | 26 | 88% | — | — | — | $23,635 |
| Andrews University | Yes | 91.8% | 28 | 3 | 83% | — | — | — | $22,850 |
| Aquinas College | Yes | 87.4% | 149 | 46 | 92% | — | — | — | $18,812 |
| Baker College | Yes | N.Av. | 12 | 7 | 98% | — | — | — | $12,112 |
| Calvin University | Yes | 96.8% | 230 | 67 | 100% | — | — | — | $26,482 |
| Central Michigan University | Yes | 90.5% | 1223 | 216 | 100% | — | — | — | $15,758 |
| College for Creative Studies | No | 92.6% | 45 | 5 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $36,203 |
| Concordia University Ann Arbor | Yes | 89.5% | 172 | 40 | 95% | — | — | — | $26,780 |
| Cornerstone University | Yes | 78.9% | 210 | 44 | 71% | — | — | — | $20,112 |
| Davenport University | No | N.Av. | — | — | — | 43 | 21 | 92% | $18,333 |
| Eastern Michigan University | Yes | 88.4% | 1915 | 262 | 99% | — | — | — | $15,342 |
| Ferris State University | Yes | 87.4% | 504 | 73 | 88% | — | — | — | $12,638 |
| Grand Valley State University | Yes | 92.6% | 463 | 268 | 99% | — | — | — | $16,865 |
| Hope College | Yes | 96.8% | 264 | 54 | 96% | — | — | — | $30,320 |
| Lake Superior State University | Yes | 86.3% | 152 | 31 | 98% | — | — | — | $13,568 |
| Madonna University | Yes | 78.9% | 40 | 2 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $17,730 |
| Michigan State University | Yes | 98.9% | 813 | 205 | 100% | — | — | — | $16,655 |
| Northern Michigan University | No | 84.2% | 353 | 77 | 87% | — | — | — | $15,681 |
| Oakland University | Yes | 89.5% | 779 | 255 | 100% | — | — | — | $14,674 |
| Rochester Christian University | No | 95.8% | 41 | 11 | 73% | — | — | — | $17,649 |
| Saginaw Valley State University | Yes | 92.6% | 310 | 236 | 100% | — | — | — | $15,032 |
| Schoolcraft College | No | N.Av. | — | — | — | 270 | 54 | 100% | $7,859 |
| Siena Heights University | Yes | 86.3% | 98 | 17 | 100% | — | — | — | $18,910 |
| Spring Arbor University | No | 89.5% | 166 | 29 | 100% | — | — | — | $21,535 |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | Yes | 98.9% | 282 | 113 | 100% | 51 | 17 | 100% | $17,832 |
| University of Michigan-Dearborn | Yes | 85.3% | 396 | 71 | 100% | — | — | — | $17,832 |
| University of Michigan-Flint | Yes | 77.9% | 265 | 25 | 100% | 20 | 4 | — | $12,546 |
| Wayne State University | Yes | 94.7% | 758 | 89 | 100% | 25 | 8 | — | $14,993 |
| Western Michigan University | Yes | 89.5% | 513 | 177 | 100% | — | — | — | $18,091 |
- — indicates none or not applicable.
- N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.
Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Education Programs in Michigan
Our list of the most affordable bachelor’s in education programs is based on the net price per year for undergraduate tuition. Net price is the average cost of attendance after grants and scholarships are applied. These 13 most affordable schools have a net price under $17,000.
- Schoolcraft College ($7,859)
- Baker College ($12,112)
- University of Michigan-Flint ($12,546)
- Ferris State University ($12,638)
- Lake Superior State University ($13,568)
- Oakland University ($14,674)
- Wayne State University ($14,993)
- Saginaw Valley State University ($15,032)
- Eastern Michigan University ($15,342)
- Northern Michigan University ($15,681)
- Central Michigan University ($15,758)
- Michigan State University ($16,655)
- Grand Valley State University ($16,865)4
Top-Ranked Schools With Education Programs in Michigan
Best Bachelor’s in Education Programs in Michigan
Our list of the top 12 bachelor’s in education programs is based on the traditional pathway pass rate data from the 2024 Title II Reports.
- Wayne State University (100%)
- Saginaw Valley State University (100%)
- Davenport University (100%)
- Siena Heights University (100%)
- Cornerstone University (100%)
- Andrews University (100%)
- Alma College (100%)
- Adrian College (100%)
- Calvin College (100%)
- Concordia University Ann Arbor (100%)
- Hope College (100%)
- College for Creative Studies (100%)3
Best Online Master of Education Programs in Michigan
Visit our ranking of the best online Master of Education (M.Ed.) programs in Michigan to see the full list plus a breakdown of the most affordable schools.
- Michigan State University
- Grand Valley State University
- Calvin University
- Oakland University
- Wayne State University
Schools With Associate Degrees in Education
While a bachelor’s degree is the minimum educational level required to qualify for state certification, an associate degree can be the first step toward a career in education. It can qualify graduates for careers in non-licensed roles in early childhood education, after-school care, and related areas. The credits earned from an accredited associate degree program can also typically be transferred toward a bachelor’s degree. The 27 Michigan schools below offer associate degrees in education.4 Schools with an asterisk (*) also offer four-year teaching programs and/or alternative route to certification programs.
- Alpena Community College
- Bay College
- Bay Mills Community College
- Delta College
- Ferris State University*
- Gogebic Community College
- Grand Rapids Community College
- Henry Ford College
- Kalamazoo Valley Community College
- Kellogg Community College
- Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College
- Kirtland Community College
- Lake Michigan College
- Lake Superior State University*
- Lansing Community College
- Macomb Community College
- Mid Michigan College
- Monroe County Community College
- Montcalm Community College
- Mott Community College
- Muskegon Community College
- North Central Michigan College
- Schoolcraft College*
- Southwestern Michigan College
- Washtenaw Community College
- Wayne County Community College District
- West Shore Community College
References:
1. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): https://caepnet.org/provider-search
2. Michigan Department of Education 2024 Educator Preparation Institution Performance Score Report: https://www.michigan.gov/mde/Services/ed-serv/ed-cert/educator-preparation-providers
3. US Department of Education 2024 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx
4. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/