Best colleges for Liberal Arts and Sciences in Michigan
Ranked by graduate earnings
Spring Arbor University, Siena Heights University and Baker College are the top bachelor's Liberal Arts and Sciences programs in Michigan by graduate earnings. Spring Arbor University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $47,121, College Scorecard. Oakland University, Northern Michigan University and Ferris State University award the most Liberal Arts and Sciences degrees in Michigan: 163, 125 and 115 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 59 Michigan colleges offer Liberal Arts and Sciences and award 13,160 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Liberal Arts and Sciences program, formally known as Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, offers a broad educational foundation in various disciplines. This program is designed for students seeking a well-rounded…
Top 10 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spring Arbor University Spring Arbor Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $47,121 | 23 | 64% | $19,806 | $30,657 |
| 2 | Siena Heights University Adrian Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $44,746 | 30 | 39% | $17,015 | $27,137 |
| 3 | Baker College Owosso Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $42,426 | 108 | 36% | $15,493 | $44,313 |
| 4 | Saginaw Valley State University University Center Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,740 | 29 | 48% | — | $38,865 |
| 5 | Ferris State University Big Rapids Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,583 | 115 | 47% | — | $29,852 |
| 6 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,065 | 42 | 93% | — | $20,728 |
| 7 | Oakland University Rochester Hills Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,157 | 163 | 58% | — | $28,000 |
| 8 | Grand Valley State University Allendale Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,767 | 99 | 67% | — | $31,000 |
| 9 | Michigan State University East Lansing Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,916 | 35 | 81% | — | $27,312 |
| 10 | University of Michigan-Dearborn Dearborn Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $37,742 | 19 | 58% | — | $32,609 |
Top 10 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake Superior State University Sault Ste Marie Public · Associate degree | $33,753 | 64 | 51% | — | $16,881 |
| 2 | Kellogg Community College Battle Creek Public · Associate degree | $32,616 | 185 | 30% | — | $15,057 |
| 3 | Monroe County Community College Monroe Public · Associate degree | $30,539 | 126 | 34% | — | $12,488 |
| 4 | St Clair County Community College Port Huron Public · Associate degree | $30,002 | 306 | 34% | — | $12,197 |
| 5 | Mott Community College Flint Public · Associate degree | $29,958 | 507 | 32% | — | $16,668 |
| 6 | Montcalm Community College Sidney Public · Associate degree | $28,150 | 134 | 31% | — | $12,060 |
| 7 | Glen Oaks Community College Centreville Public · Associate degree | $27,987 | 90 | 43% | — | — |
| 8 | Washtenaw Community College Ann Arbor Public · Associate degree | $27,643 | 1,662 | 33% | — | $11,511 |
| 9 | Kirtland Community College Grayling Public · Associate degree | $25,088 | 97 | 34% | — | $11,000 |
| 10 | Southwestern Michigan College Dowagiac Public · Associate degree | $22,272 | 56 | 38% | — | $10,896 |
Colleges awarding the most Liberal Arts and Sciences degrees in Michigan
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oakland University Rochester Hills Public | 163 | $36,157 |
| 2 | Northern Michigan University Marquette Public | 125 | Not reported |
| 3 | Ferris State University Big Rapids Public | 115 | $38,583 |
| 4 | Baker College Owosso Private not-for-profit | 108 | $42,426 |
| 5 | Grand Valley State University Allendale Public | 99 | $35,767 |
| 6 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor Public | 42 | $38,065 |
| 7 | Calvin University Grand Rapids Private not-for-profit | 41 | Not reported |
| 8 | Michigan State University East Lansing Public | 35 | $30,916 |
| 9 | Siena Heights University Adrian Private not-for-profit | 30 | $44,746 |
| 10 | Saginaw Valley State University University Center Public | 29 | $40,740 |
ShowHide the other 49 Michigan colleges offering Liberal Arts and Sciences
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Postsecondary Teachers, All Other (SOC 25-1199).
What Postsecondary Teachers, All Other earn in Michigan
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Liberal Arts and Sciences programs in Michigan.
Which Michigan colleges award the most Liberal Arts and Sciences degrees?+
Oakland University (163 graduates a year), Northern Michigan University (125 graduates a year) and Ferris State University (115 graduates a year) award the most Liberal Arts and Sciences degrees in Michigan, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 59 Michigan colleges offer Liberal Arts and Sciences.
What is the best college for Liberal Arts and Sciences in Michigan?+
By graduate earnings, Spring Arbor University leads among bachelor's Liberal Arts and Sciences programs in Michigan, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $47,121, College Scorecard. Siena Heights University and Baker College follow. By degrees awarded, Oakland University is the largest, with 163 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Liberal Arts and Sciences program in Michigan has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Spring Arbor University tops the list at $47,121. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Postsecondary Teachers, All Other earn in Michigan?+
The average annual wage for Postsecondary Teachers, All Other in Michigan is $80,320 (median $70,550), across about 2,660 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Liberal Arts and Sciences program?+
The Liberal Arts and Sciences program, formally known as Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, offers a broad educational foundation in various disciplines. This program is designed for students seeking a well-rounded…
What is the job outlook for Postsecondary Teachers, All Other?+
The national job outlook is about +1.8% growth with around 13,500 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Doctoral or professional degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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