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Most selective colleges in Michigan

Updated Federal and Common Data Set numbers, each with its year

The short answer

The most selective four-year colleges in Michigan are Michigan (16% admitted), Hillsdale College (21% admitted) and Spring Arbor University (52% admitted), by acceptance rate.

Selective here means a low acceptance rate: the share of applicants the college admitted. A low rate says how many people a college turns away, not how good a fit it is for you. Each row also shows the average price after grants.

The list (20 of 40)

Four-year colleges in Michigan with 500 or more undergraduates, lowest acceptance rate first. The list shows 20 of the 40 colleges with an acceptance rate on file. Rates come from IPEDS (fall 2024) for 19 colleges and each college's own Common Data Set (fall 2025) for 1 college.

  1. University of Michigan 16% admitted Ann Arbor, MI · Average price after grants: $14,362 a year in-state, about $59,978 out of state (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: Common Data Set, fall 2025
  2. Hillsdale College 21% admitted Hillsdale, MI Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  3. Spring Arbor University 52% admitted Spring Arbor, MI · Average price after grants: $19,227 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  4. University of Michigan-Dearborn 56% admitted Dearborn, MI · Average price after grants: $7,863 a year in-state, about $25,791 out of state (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  5. Lawrence Technological University 56% admitted Southfield, MI · Average price after grants: $33,466 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  6. Alma College 57% admitted Alma, MI · Average price after grants: $24,918 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  7. Madonna University 63% admitted Livonia, MI · Average price after grants: $14,792 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  8. Northwood University 65% admitted Midland, MI · Average price after grants: $25,908 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  9. Cleary University 68% admitted Howell, MI · Average price after grants: $19,651 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  10. Concordia University Ann Arbor 69% admitted Ann Arbor, MI · Average price after grants: $29,819 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  11. University of Michigan-Flint 71% admitted Flint, MI · Average price after grants: $8,320 a year in-state, about $22,596 out of state (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  12. Calvin University 71% admitted Grand Rapids, MI · Average price after grants: $21,122 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  13. Saginaw Valley State University 72% admitted University Center, MI · Average price after grants: $12,147 a year in-state, about $22,467 out of state (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  14. Adrian College 73% admitted Adrian, MI · Average price after grants: $31,986 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  15. Kalamazoo College 75% admitted Kalamazoo, MI · Average price after grants: $20,784 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  16. University of Detroit Mercy 75% admitted Detroit, MI · Average price after grants: $13,469 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  17. Cornerstone University 78% admitted Grand Rapids, MI · Average price after grants: $18,028 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  18. Kettering University 79% admitted Flint, MI · Average price after grants: $29,797 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  19. Hope College 79% admitted Holland, MI · Average price after grants: $26,392 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  20. Eastern Michigan University 80% admitted Ypsilanti, MI · Average price after grants: $16,628 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
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What are the most selective colleges in Michigan?

The most selective four-year colleges in Michigan are Michigan (16% admitted), Hillsdale College (21% admitted) and Spring Arbor University (52% admitted), by acceptance rate.

How many colleges on this list admit fewer than half of applicants?

2 of the 20 colleges listed admitted fewer than half of their applicants.

How recent are these acceptance rates?

Each row shows its year. Rates come from IPEDS, the federal college survey, for students who applied for fall 2024, or from the college's own Common Data Set for fall 2025 where that is newer.

Numbers change each year when colleges and the Department of Education publish new data. Confirm costs and admission rules with the college before you apply.

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