The Best Michigan Big Colleges
These are the top ranked large, public and private, four-year colleges in Michigan as ranked by CollegeSimply. These schools all have total enrollment of 20,000 or more. Leading the list for 2027 is University of Michigan Ann Arbor. Learn how the Best Large Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.
University of Michigan Ann Arbor
- Public 4 Year
- Ann Arbor, MI
-
4.8 | 5 reviews
- 52,855 total enrollment
Michigan is a highly selective public university known for undergraduate business, engineering, and the social sciences. Ann Arbor is a classic college town built around the campus.
- SAT Range 1360-1530
- Avg GPA 3.88
- Acceptance Rate 16%
- Net Price $17,574
Michigan State University
- Public 4 Year
- East Lansing, MI
-
4.5 | 6 reviews
- 52,089 total enrollment
Michigan State is a large public university known for undergraduate supply chain management, education, and agriculture. The campus spreads across the college town of East Lansing with the Red Cedar River running through it.
- SAT Range 1180-1360
- Avg GPA 3.72
- Acceptance Rate 85%
- Net Price $23,657
Grand Valley State University
- Public 4 Year
- Allendale, MI
-
3.7 | 3 reviews
- 22,011 total enrollment
Grand Valley State is a large public university known for undergraduate nursing, health sciences, and business. The Allendale campus sits west of Grand Rapids along the Grand River.
- SAT Range 940-1190
- Avg GPA 3.65
- Acceptance Rate 83%
- Net Price $17,198
Wayne State University
- Public 4 Year
- Detroit, MI
-
4.2 | 4 reviews
- 23,803 total enrollment
Wayne State is a large public university known for undergraduate nursing, pharmacy, and business. The urban campus is in Midtown Detroit near the city's cultural district.
- SAT Range 1060-1270
- Avg GPA 3.42
- Acceptance Rate 81%
- Net Price $14,416