
Source: National Center for Educational Statistics. This is the most recent data available as of January 2020
Questions & Answers
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What do all these numbers mean?
All costs are the average net cost paid by families in each income bracket. Net cost is the total cost of attendance minus government grants and institutional scholarships. Loans of any kind are not included. Figures are based on data from the 2017-18 school year, which is the latest available as of January 2020.
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What is “Total Cost” on the chart?
Total cost is the total cost of attendance for that particular college. It includes:
- Tuition and fees (in-state tuition for public schools)
- Room and board (on campus)
- Books and supplies
- Other expenses (travel and personal)
There are detailed chart below for each school that shows these expenses. Click here to go to the individual cost breakdown for schools.
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How can I use this information?
This information is useful for building a realistic college budget. It's a good place to start until you better understand your specific circumstances. For example, let's say your income is $100,000 per year. This chart shows that the average state school would run $18,116 and the average private school would be $24,382. You can also get information on specific Michigan schools in the chart above or the tables below.
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Will my family pay the amount on this chart?
Probably not. The numbers are averages. You may be below average or above average. However, there are two key points we can learn from this data:
- Families with higher incomes ($75,000-$110,000 and $110,000+) will most likely pay close to full price at the public schools.
- Private colleges have a higher list price but offer more discounts. This brings their net price much closer to the cost of state-funded schools.
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Where did this information come from?
As part of federal financial aid, colleges are required to provide detailed cost information to the U.S. government. This data is made available to the public through the National Center for Education Statistics. For more details, click here.
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What about athletes, merit aid or minority students?
Athletes, high achieving students, and those with minority status are averaged in with everyone else. Within each income bracket, there are families that pay more than average and families that pay less than average.
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The costs on this chart seemed large, how can families afford to pay it?
For many families paying for college is not easy, but in the end they figure out. Most families will pay their net cost of college with some combination of:
- college savings and investments
- payments from current income
- loans
- outside scholarships (check out our Scholarship Guide For Busy Parents, which describes how you and your student can win scholarships for college and save money!)
- tax planning
- student work

Net Price:
Net price is the total cost of attendance minus the average amount of government grants and institutional scholarships awarded. This is an average, so you may pay above the average or below the average. Your exact net price is likely to be different and sometimes drastically different.
Most families will pay the net price with some combination of savings and investments, current income and various loans. Some students will also receive scholarships from sources other than the federal or state government or the college. Any scholarships and grants from these outside sources are not included in the data. However, government grants and institutional scholarships are included in the averages.
Total Cost at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (2017-18) | |
---|---|
Tuition and Fees | $14,826 |
Room and Board | $11,198 |
Books | $1,048 |
Other Expenses | $2,454 |
Total | $29,526 |
Total Cost:
Total cost is the total cost of attendance for that particular institution for the 2017-18 school year. This is the latest data available as of January 2020. Total costs include:
- Tuition and fees (in-state tuition for public schools)
- Room and board (on campus)
- Books and supplies
- Other expenses (travel and personal)
College Total Cost | ||
---|---|---|
Family Income | MI Public $25,001 | MI Private $46,884 |
$0 - $30k | $9,266 | $18,129 |
$30,001 – $48k | $10,971 | $19,454 |
$48,001 – $75k | $14,358 | $21,081 |
$75,001 – $110k | $18,116 | $24,382 |
$110,001+ | $20,183 | $27,324 |
Public vs. Private Averages
This table shows the average total cost of attendance for the Michigan public and private colleges we have included in our analysis. The costs include a breakdown of the average net price paid by family income. Notice that the average private college is $7,000-$9,000 more than the average public school, depending on your income bracket. It is important to stress that these are averages. Most families will not be average, and their individual circumstances could be drastically different. I encourage all families to work with their preferred colleges to get information specific to their family.
Below are similar charts for each individual private and public college in Michigan. Click a school to view its complete chart.
Public MI Schools Cost Breakdown
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Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $12,510 $12,960 Room and Board $9,736 $10,076 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $830 $853 Total $24,076 $24,889 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $11,375 $11,759 $30,001 - $48k $12,680 $13,108 $48,001 - $75k $15,699 $16,229 $75,001 - $110k $17,682 $18,279 $110,001+ $18,096 $18,707 -
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $12,019 $12,508 Room and Board $9,854 $10,248 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $2,434 $2,440 Total $25,307 $26,196 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $13,260 $13,726 $30,001 - $48k $13,584 $14,061 $48,001 - $75k $15,164 $15,697 $75,001 - $110k $18,534 $19,185 $110,001+ $19,196 $19,870 -
Ferris State University
Big Rapids Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $11,628 $11,788 Room and Board $9,894 $9,894 Books $914 $840 Other Expenses $1,120 $672 Total $23,556 $23,194 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $9,013 $8,874 $30,001 - $48k $10,960 $10,792 $48,001 - $75k $13,967 $13,752 $75,001 - $110k $16,310 $16,059 $110,001+ $18,710 $18,422 -
Grand Valley State University
Allendale Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $11,994 $12,484 Room and Board $9,150 $9,364 Books $700 $700 Other Expenses $2,400 $2,400 Total $24,244 $24,948 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $12,703 $13,072 $30,001 - $48k $13,959 $14,364 $48,001 - $75k $16,219 $16,690 $75,001 - $110k $20,038 $20,620 $110,001+ $21,987 $22,625 -
Henry Ford College
Dearborn Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $4,694 $4,876 Room and Board $0 $0 Books $1,488 $1,512 Other Expenses $0 $0 Total $0 $0 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $2,982 $0 $30,001 - $48k $3,851 $0 $48,001 - $75k $6,482 $0 $75,001 - $110k $8,824 $0 $110,001+ $9,487 $0 -
Jackson College
Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $8,288 $8,742 Room and Board $7,960 $8,300 Books $1,728 $1,750 Other Expenses $3,016 $3,124 Total $20,992 $21,916 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $7,371 $7,695 $30,001 - $48k $8,286 $8,651 $48,001 - $75k $11,728 $12,244 $75,001 - $110k $14,548 $15,188 $110,001+ $14,939 $15,597 -
Lake Michigan College
Benton Harbor Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $6,105 $6,345 Room and Board $10,000 $9,980 Books $1,800 $1,800 Other Expenses $1,400 $1,600 Total $19,305 $19,725 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $6,009 $6,140 $30,001 - $48k $6,108 $6,241 $48,001 - $75k $10,251 $10,474 $75,001 - $110k $11,151 $11,394 $110,001+ $11,239 $11,484 -
Lake Superior State University
Sault Ste Marie Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $11,427 $11,895 Room and Board $9,594 $9,882 Books $1,100 $1,100 Other Expenses $1,600 $1,600 Total $23,721 $24,477 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $5,119 $5,282 $30,001 - $48k $6,844 $7,062 $48,001 - $75k $12,071 $12,456 $75,001 - $110k $15,113 $15,595 $110,001+ $16,948 $17,488 -
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $14,826 $15,262 Room and Board $11,198 $11,534 Books $1,048 $1,048 Other Expenses $2,454 $2,454 Total $29,526 $30,298 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $3,962 $4,066 $30,001 - $48k $6,257 $6,421 $48,001 - $75k $10,956 $11,242 $75,001 - $110k $16,883 $17,324 $110,001+ $25,040 $25,695 -
Michigan State University
East Lansing Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $14,460 $14,460 Room and Board $10,026 $10,322 Books $1,084 $1,108 Other Expenses $2,908 $2,972 Total $28,478 $28,862 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $6,446 $6,533 $30,001 - $48k $14,743 $14,942 $48,001 - $75k $20,481 $20,757 $75,001 - $110k $25,162 $25,501 $110,001+ $27,210 $27,577
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Michigan Technological University
Houghton Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $15,074 $15,646 Room and Board $10,477 $10,756 Books $1,200 $1,200 Other Expenses $2,349 $2,367 Total $29,100 $29,969 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $8,263 $8,510 $30,001 - $48k $9,869 $10,164 $48,001 - $75k $12,348 $12,717 $75,001 - $110k $17,076 $17,586 $110,001+ $22,791 $23,472 -
University of Michigan-Dearborn
Dearborn Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $12,472 $12,930 Room and Board $0 $0 Books $1,300 $1,300 Other Expenses $0 $0 Total $0 $0 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $6,634 $0 $30,001 - $48k $8,377 $0 $48,001 - $75k $11,798 $0 $75,001 - $110k $13,459 $0 $110,001+ $15,206 $0 -
University of Michigan-Flint
Flint Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $11,190 $11,304 Room and Board $8,386 $8,769 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $3,950 $3,928 Total $24,526 $25,001 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $8,488 $8,652 $30,001 - $48k $9,659 $9,846 $48,001 - $75k $13,526 $13,788 $75,001 - $110k $17,542 $17,882 $110,001+ $18,003 $18,352 -
Northern Michigan University
Marquette Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $10,240 $10,729 Room and Board $10,328 $10,666 Books $800 $800 Other Expenses $1,920 $1,992 Total $23,288 $24,187 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $8,955 $9,301 $30,001 - $48k $10,967 $11,390 $48,001 - $75k $15,822 $16,433 $75,001 - $110k $19,235 $19,978 $110,001+ $20,553 $21,346 -
Northwestern Michigan College
Traverse City Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $7,463 $7,604 Room and Board $9,475 $9,475 Books $1,500 $1,500 Other Expenses $3,754 $3,754 Total $22,192 $22,333 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $8,297 $8,350 $30,001 - $48k $7,515 $7,563 $48,001 - $75k $11,326 $11,398 $75,001 - $110k $13,310 $13,395 $110,001+ $14,214 $14,304 -
Oakland University
Rochester Hills Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $11,970 $12,606 Room and Board $9,910 $10,100 Books $764 $784 Other Expenses $2,034 $2,034 Total $24,678 $25,524 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $7,176 $7,422 $30,001 - $48k $7,304 $7,554 $48,001 - $75k $9,637 $9,967 $75,001 - $110k $15,129 $15,648 $110,001+ $17,872 $18,485 -
Saginaw Valley State University
University Center Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $9,819 $10,308 Room and Board $9,465 $9,749 Books $1,428 $1,035 Other Expenses $1,137 $1,162 Total $21,849 $22,254 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $12,274 $12,502 $30,001 - $48k $12,821 $13,059 $48,001 - $75k $15,453 $15,739 $75,001 - $110k $17,368 $17,690 $110,001+ $17,865 $18,196 -
Schoolcraft College
Livonia Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $4,942 $5,176 Room and Board $0 $0 Books $1,456 $1,482 Other Expenses $0 $0 Total $0 $0 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $6,923 $0 $30,001 - $48k $7,648 $0 $48,001 - $75k $8,391 $0 $75,001 - $110k $9,418 $0 $110,001+ $9,965 $0 -
Wayne State University
Detroit Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $12,979 $13,097 Room and Board $10,102 $10,550 Books $1,196 $1,212 Other Expenses $2,262 $2,298 Total $26,539 $27,157 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $11,607 $11,877 $30,001 - $48k $11,996 $12,275 $48,001 - $75k $13,432 $13,745 $75,001 - $110k $18,758 $19,195 $110,001+ $19,911 $20,375 -
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $11,943 $12,483 Room and Board $9,848 $10,143 Books $958 $968 Other Expenses $2,390 $2,415 Total $25,139 $26,009 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $12,977 $13,426 $30,001 - $48k $14,631 $15,137 $48,001 - $75k $18,869 $19,522 $75,001 - $110k $22,357 $23,131 $110,001+ $23,629 $24,447
Private MI Schools Cost Breakdown
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Adrian College
Adrian Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $36,010 $37,087 Room and Board $10,988 $11,318 Books $1,800 $1,800 Other Expenses $3,276 $3,276 Total $52,074 $53,481 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $24,242 $24,897 $30,001 - $48k $24,287 $24,943 $48,001 - $75k $24,355 $25,013 $75,001 - $110k $27,715 $28,464 $110,001+ $28,358 $29,124 -
Albion College
Albion Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $43,050 $45,590 Room and Board $12,210 $12,380 Books $700 $700 Other Expenses $790 $800 Total $56,750 $59,470 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $9,747 $10,214 $30,001 - $48k $10,890 $11,412 $48,001 - $75k $12,859 $13,475 $75,001 - $110k $20,799 $21,796 $110,001+ $26,757 $28,039 -
Alma College
Alma Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $38,768 $40,258 Room and Board $10,642 $10,998 Books $800 $800 Other Expenses $2,265 $2,214 Total $52,475 $54,270 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $18,192 $18,814 $30,001 - $48k $18,082 $18,701 $48,001 - $75k $19,711 $20,385 $75,001 - $110k $22,857 $23,639 $110,001+ $26,231 $27,128 -
Andrews University
Berrien Springs Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $28,436 $29,288 Room and Board $9,078 $9,078 Books $1,100 $1,100 Other Expenses $1,100 $1,100 Total $39,714 $40,566 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $16,373 $16,724 $30,001 - $48k $17,179 $17,548 $48,001 - $75k $17,878 $18,262 $75,001 - $110k $22,684 $23,171 $110,001+ $24,580 $25,107 -
Aquinas College
Grand Rapids Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $31,244 $32,574 Room and Board $9,070 $9,332 Books $904 $920 Other Expenses $1,734 $1,762 Total $42,952 $44,588 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $13,486 $14,000 $30,001 - $48k $14,548 $15,102 $48,001 - $75k $14,729 $15,290 $75,001 - $110k $18,983 $19,706 $110,001+ $22,134 $22,977 -
Baker College
Flint Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $9,360 $9,800 Room and Board $5,400 $5,400 Books $1,800 $1,000 Other Expenses $4,800 $4,800 Total $21,360 $21,000 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $10,564 $10,386 $30,001 - $48k $11,014 $10,828 $48,001 - $75k $15,000 $14,747 $75,001 - $110k $15,929 $15,661 $110,001+ $15,363 $15,104 -
Calvin College
Grand Rapids Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $33,100 $34,600 Room and Board $9,990 $10,400 Books $1,100 $1,200 Other Expenses $2,600 $2,700 Total $46,790 $48,900 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $20,797 $21,735 $30,001 - $48k $20,314 $21,230 $48,001 - $75k $23,129 $24,172 $75,001 - $110k $25,123 $26,256 $110,001+ $29,029 $30,338 -
Davenport University
Grand Rapids Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $17,558 $18,414 Room and Board $9,902 $9,928 Books $904 $904 Other Expenses $2,318 $2,318 Total $30,682 $31,564 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $17,364 $17,863 $30,001 - $48k $20,323 $20,907 $48,001 - $75k $23,692 $24,373 $75,001 - $110k $22,547 $23,195 $110,001+ $26,937 $27,711
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University of Detroit Mercy
Detroit Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $41,158 $28,000 Room and Board $9,452 $9,736 Books $1,250 $1,230 Other Expenses $5,518 $2,260 Total $57,378 $41,226 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $15,859 $11,395 $30,001 - $48k $17,561 $12,618 $48,001 - $75k $20,761 $14,917 $75,001 - $110k $21,784 $15,652 $110,001+ $24,880 $17,876 -
Kettering University
Flint Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $42,490 $43,490 Room and Board $8,040 $8,240 Books $1,200 $1,200 Other Expenses $7,497 $7,497 Total $59,227 $60,427 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $30,195 $30,807 $30,001 - $48k $34,815 $35,520 $48,001 - $75k $36,026 $36,756 $75,001 - $110k $39,911 $40,720 $110,001+ $41,339 $42,177 -
Hope College
Holland Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $32,780 $34,010 Room and Board $10,000 $10,310 Books $930 $950 Other Expenses $1,700 $1,730 Total $45,410 $47,000 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $15,816 $16,370 $30,001 - $48k $16,575 $17,155 $48,001 - $75k $20,645 $21,368 $75,001 - $110k $25,945 $26,853 $110,001+ $32,608 $33,750 -
Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $46,840 $48,666 Room and Board $9,390 $9,756 Books $825 $825 Other Expenses $2,212 $2,284 Total $59,267 $61,531 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $14,564 $15,120 $30,001 - $48k $20,391 $21,170 $48,001 - $75k $18,975 $19,700 $75,001 - $110k $25,217 $26,180 $110,001+ $30,603 $31,772 -
Lawrence Technological University
Southfield Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $32,190 $33,570 Room and Board $9,500 $9,950 Books $1,476 $1,506 Other Expenses $4,316 $4,402 Total $47,482 $49,428 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $28,279 $29,438 $30,001 - $48k $28,556 $29,726 $48,001 - $75k $28,669 $29,844 $75,001 - $110k $30,597 $31,851 $110,001+ $31,388 $32,674 -
Madonna University
Livonia Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $20,700 $21,900 Room and Board $9,750 $9,950 Books $1,296 $1,320 Other Expenses $2,440 $2,500 Total $34,186 $35,670 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $12,250 $12,782 $30,001 - $48k $14,442 $15,069 $48,001 - $75k $16,371 $17,082 $75,001 - $110k $18,357 $19,154 $110,001+ $18,887 $19,707 -
Northwood University
Midland Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $26,080 $27,060 Room and Board $10,170 $10,480 Books $1,230 $1,220 Other Expenses $2,896 $2,910 Total $40,376 $41,670 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $17,460 $18,020 $30,001 - $48k $18,688 $19,287 $48,001 - $75k $20,656 $21,318 $75,001 - $110k $24,766 $25,560 $110,001+ $25,691 $26,514 -
Siena Heights University
Adrian Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $25,932 $27,124 Room and Board $10,390 $10,620 Books $1,000 $1,000 Other Expenses $1,580 $1,634 Total $38,902 $40,378 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $17,799 $18,474 $30,001 - $48k $18,247 $18,939 $48,001 - $75k $20,781 $21,569 $75,001 - $110k $22,388 $23,237 $110,001+ $23,406 $24,294 -
Spring Arbor University
Spring Arbor Year 2017-18 2018-19 Tuition and Fees $27,750 $28,810 Room and Board $9,640 $10,010 Books $800 $800 Other Expenses $1,780 $1,780 Total $39,970 $41,400 Family Income Net Cost (Actual) Net Cost (Estimated) $0-$30k $16,974 $17,581 $30,001 - $48k $15,605 $16,163 $48,001 - $75k $17,634 $18,265 $75,001 - $110k $20,819 $21,564 $110,001+ $22,724 $23,537
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