The best computer science school in Michigan is the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. But that doesn’t mean it’s the only school in the state where you can get a top-notch education that leads to a great career. Michigan has a variety of options for computer science students.
Table of Contents
- Why Study Computer Science in Michigan?
- What Kind of Job Can I Get as a Computer Science Major in Michigan?
- What Grades and Test Scores Do I Need to Get Accepted?
- Best Computer Science Schools: Michigan
- The Bottom Line on the Best Computer Science Schools in Michigan
Michigan is a top state to study computer science. It has an assortment of schools with highly rated programs. Some have high admissions standards, but others are easier to get into and have acceptance rates over 75%. No matter your stats, there’s a college or university in Michigan for you with a strong computer science program.
The state has a strong and growing tech job market for recent graduates, particularly in the Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Ann Arbor metro areas. Tech companies have flocked to Michigan from states like California in recent years because of the much lower taxes and cost of living. If you attend one of the best computer science schools in Michigan, you can expect your college’s campus to be crawling with recruiters during hiring season in the spring.
Why Study Computer Science in Michigan?
If you love computers and technology, there’s no better field to study in college than computer science, especially if you plan to go to school in Michigan. Here are the benefits of getting a computer science degree:
- You will love your job. If you spend hours per day coding and building things on computers anyway, why not pursue a job that pays you to do what you love?
- You can make a lot of money. Computer science graduates make an average base salary of $87,000 straight out of college. Most make it to six figures within one to two years. For comparison, the average starting salary for new graduates across all fields is $50,000 to $60,000.
- You won’t have trouble finding a job. Tech is one of the hottest fields and is projected to grow rapidly through 2030.
- You can work remotely. Many software development and other tech jobs are remote. If you take a job in Michigan but decide to move to another state, you can keep your position.
- You can change the world. Think about the biggest innovations that have changed the world during your lifetime. Google, Amazon, and smartphones, for instance. All were created by people in the computer science field.
What Kind of Job Can I Get as a Computer Science Major in Michigan?
Many people associate computer science with software development (“coding”), but the field is much broader than that. You can pursue any number of career opportunities. Some of the most popular jobs occupied by computer science graduates include:
- Web developer
- Software engineer
- IT director
- Computer engineer
- Database administrator
- Cybersecurity analyst
- Technical business analyst
What Grades and Test Scores Do I Need to Get Accepted?
The good news about computer science in Michigan is that there are highly ranked schools with a broad range of admissions standards. Some, like the University of Michigan—Ann Arbor, are notoriously difficult to get into, even for in-state students. Others have high acceptance rates and will take a chance on a student who might not have a lofty GPA and SAT score. By applying to a range of computer science schools in Michigan, you can almost guarantee you’ll get in somewhere.
Once you get accepted and start working toward your degree, your grades matter a lot more. Top tech recruiters strongly prefer students with at least a 3.0 GPA. If you can manage a 3.5 or higher, you’ll be in even better shape. That’s not to say that a GPA below 3.0 will doom you to a life of unemployment. But you’ll have to work a little harder to get your foot in the door.
Best Computer Science Schools: Michigan
We analyzed every college and university in Michigan that offers a computer science major. We scored these schools based on U.S. News rankings, graduation rates, freshman retention rates, and networking and internship opportunities. Here are the best computer science schools in Michigan based on our analysis.
1. University of Michigan—Ann Arbor
- Location: Ann Arbor, MI
- Acceptance Rate: 26%
- Graduation Rate: 93%
- Freshman Retention Rate: 97%
- Middle 50% SAT Range: 1340-1560
- Middle 50% ACT Range: 31-34
- U.S. News Computer Science Ranking: #11
- U.S. News Overall Ranking: #23
The University of Michigan—Ann Arbor is the state flagship and one of the most prestigious public universities in the country. Its computer science department is ranked #11 by U.S. News. That puts it in the same echelon with heavyweights like UC-Berkeley, Georgia Tech, UIUC, and the University of Florida.
The school’s Ann Arbor location positions it for job and internship opportunities both locally and 45 minutes east in Detroit. And for those of you who love college football, it’s hard to beat a Saturday afternoon in “The Big House.”
2. Michigan State University
- Location: East Lansing, MI
- Acceptance Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 81%
- Freshman Retention Rate: 92%
- Middle 50% SAT Range: 1100-1300
- Middle 50% ACT Range: 23-29
- U.S. News Computer Science Ranking: #60
- U.S. News Overall Ranking: #83
Michigan State University in East Lansing is another Big Ten school with a top 100 ranking in U.S. News. It’s computer science ranking comes in at #60, putting it in the top 10 percent of all colleges and universities nationwide. IT recruiters in Michigan view MSU as a hotbed of talent and flood the numerous job fairs that take place on campus every spring.
With an acceptance rate of 76%, Michigan State isn’t brutally selective, but its academic programs are rigorous. Students love to say it’s “easy to get in, hard to stay in.” Expect to work hard in the CS department, but also expect to graduate with a degree that makes you in-demand.
3. Wayne State University
- Location: Detroit, MI
- Acceptance Rate: 68%
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Freshman Retention Rate: 79%
- Middle 50% SAT Range: 1000-1200
- Middle 50% ACT Range: 20-27
- U.S. News Computer Science Ranking: #106
- U.S. News Overall Ranking: #249
Wayne State University is located in the heart of Detroit. This makes it a perfect place to study computer science if you prioritize networking opportunities and internships. It is ranked just outside the top 100 in U.S. News for computer science, and its ranking is climbing. Graduates regularly get hired by top tech firms in Detroit and beyond.
Don’t be scared off by Wayne State’s low graduation and freshman retention rates. The school still has a large commuter population made up of students who attend part time while working. Unfortunately, those students drop out at higher rates due to financial or time constraints. The computer science program is rigorous and has highly credentialed professors and advisors.
4. Michigan Technological University
- Location: Houghton, MI
- Acceptance Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 69%
- Freshman Retention Rate: 84%
- Middle 50% SAT Range: 1160-1350
- Middle 50% ACT Range: 25-30
- U.S. News Computer Science Ranking: #122
- U.S. News Overall Ranking: #148
Michigan Technological University might be the most underrated school in Michigan. Because of its remote (but stunningly beautiful — just look at the picture!) location in the Upper Peninsula, many students consider it an afterthought. While it may not be as well-positioned for jobs and internships as other schools in the state, it is still a top choice. For one thing, many tech opportunities these days are remote, making location less relevant. Two, even though Michigan Tech is off the beaten path, recruiters know it’s a fantastic school that turns out CS graduates who excel. Therefore, they make the trek up to Houghton for job fairs and recruiting events.
5. University of Michigan—Dearborn
- Location: Dearborn, MI
- Acceptance Rate: 68%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Freshman Retention Rate: 78%
- Middle 50% SAT Range: 1090-1320
- Middle 50% ACT Range: 22-29
- U.S. News Computer Science Ranking: #159
- U.S. News Overall Ranking: #31 (among regional universities)
The University of Michigan—Dearborn is in suburban Detroit, less than 10 miles from downtown, making it ideal for jobs and internships. It’s considered a regional school in U.S. News because it doesn’t offer Ph.D. programs. But it has a growing national reputation, particularly in tech fields like computer science.
The schools 78% acceptance rate and ACT midrange of 22-29 make it a viable option for bright, motivated students whose lack of top grades or scores put Ann Arbor out of reach.
6. Western Michigan University
- Location: Kalamazoo, MI
- Acceptance Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Freshman Retention Rate: 80%
- Middle 50% SAT Range: 1010-1220
- Middle 50% ACT Range: 20-27
- U.S. News Computer Science Ranking: #187 (tie)
- U.S. News Overall Ranking: #263
Western Michigan University has a walkable, residential campus integrated with downtown Kalamazoo. Its location makes it perfect for computer science students who want strong networking and job opportunities but want to live in a city that is smaller and less congested and chaotic than Detroit. The downtown Kalamazoo area is home to two colleges, WMU and Kalamazoo College, a liberal arts school, so the area features lots of coffee shops, bars, and other attractions popular to college students.
WMU has an acceptance rate of 85%, making it a strong safety school option for aspiring computer science majors in Michigan.
7. Eastern Michigan University
- Location: Ypsilanti, MI
- Acceptance Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 45%
- Freshman Retention Rate: 72%
- Middle 50% SAT Range: 980-1200
- Middle 50% ACT Range: 19-26
- U.S. News Computer Science Ranking: #187 (tie)
- U.S. News Overall Ranking: #299-391
Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, right outside Ann Arbor on the way to Detroit, is another good safety school option for computer science in Michigan. Its location positions it well for job, internship, and networking opportunities. Its manageable SAT and ACT midranges mean you have a great shot of getting in even if standardized tests aren’t your strong point.
The low graduation and freshman retention rates are a bit of a concern, but these numbers aren’t uncommon at schools with a high number of commuters and adult learners. Among students who live on campus (or just off campus in private student housing) the numbers are much higher. And there are thousands of on-campus students for you to connect with when you get to campus.
8. Oakland University
- Location: Rochester, MI
- Acceptance Rate: 81%
- Graduation Rate: 54%
- Freshman Retention Rate: 76%
- Middle 50% SAT Range: 980-1210
- Middle 50% ACT Range: 20-27
- U.S. News Computer Science Ranking: #187 (tie)
- U.S. News Overall Ranking: #299-391
A public research university located in the outer suburbs of Detroit, Oakland University provides a high quality computer science education and access to local jobs and internships at an affordable price. The admissions standards are manageable too, with more than 8 out of 10 students accepted and an ACT midrange of 20-27. With about 16,000 undergraduates on campus, Oakland University is the second-largest school in the Detroit region.
The Bottom Line on the Best Computer Science Schools in Michigan
No matter your high school grades, test scores, or budget, Michigan has a computer science school for you. When you graduate with your CS degree from any of these schools, you’ll be highly marketable and employable. Remember that the best computer science school for someone else might not be the best school for you. So do your research, visit campuses, ask questions, and think about what’s important to you. But these eight schools provide a good place to start.
