Michigan College Tuition Trends from 2015 to 2025

Tuition trends by school type and level for Michigan colleges

There are 68 four-year colleges and universities in Michigan—21 public institutions and 47 private institutions. This page summarizes average tuition & fees and how costs have changed over time based on the latest available IPEDS data.

Undergraduate Tuition Trends

Public colleges: In 2025, average in-state tuition & fees are $13,475, while out-of-state tuition & fees are $22,709. Year-over-year, in-state costs changed by 4.17% and out-of-state costs changed by 3.73%. Since 2015, cumulative growth is 44.23% (in-state) and 21.97% (out-of-state).

Private colleges: The average tuition & fees are $29,721 in 2025. That is a 2.58% change from last year and 21.77% cumulative growth since 2015.

Graduate Tuition Trends

Public graduate schools: In 2025, average in-state graduate tuition & fees are $18,820, while out-of-state graduate tuition & fees are $27,135. Year-over-year, in-state costs changed by 3.24% and out-of-state costs changed by 2.03%. Since 2015, cumulative growth is 46.60% (in-state) and 24.03% (out-of-state).

Private graduate schools: The average graduate tuition & fees are $20,428 in 2025. That is a 1.32% change from last year and 15.90% cumulative growth since 2015.

Public vs. private comparison (increase rates): In 2025, private undergraduate tuition changed by 2.58% year-over-year. Public undergraduate in-state changed by 4.17% (higher by 1.59 percentage points vs. private), and public out-of-state changed by 3.73% (higher by 1.15 percentage points vs. private). Over the full period since 2015, private undergraduate tuition grew by 21.77%, compared with public in-state 44.23% (higher by 22.46 percentage points vs. private) and public out-of-state 21.97% (higher by 0.20 percentage points vs. private).

Graduate comparison: In 2025, private graduate tuition changed by 1.32% year-over-year. Public graduate in-state changed by 3.24% (higher by 1.92 percentage points vs. private), and public graduate out-of-state changed by 2.03% (higher by 0.71 percentage points vs. private). Since 2015, private graduate tuition grew by 15.90%, compared with public graduate in-state 46.60% (higher by 30.69 percentage points vs. private) and public graduate out-of-state 24.03% (higher by 8.12 percentage points vs. private).

COA Trends

Undergraduate cost of attendance change by school type (tuition & fees + room & board): In 2025, estimated on-campus COA is $28,500 (public in-state), $37,733 (public out-of-state), and $44,746 (private). Year-over-year, on-campus COA changed by 5.41%, 4.83%, and 3.88%, respectively. Since 2015, cumulative on-campus COA growth is 39.94% (public in-state), 27.30% (public out-of-state), and 26.29% (private).

Off-campus COA: In 2025, estimated off-campus COA is $28,710 (public in-state), $37,944 (public out-of-state), and $44,956 (private). Year-over-year, off-campus COA changed by 5.14%, 4.63%, and 3.72%. Since 2015, cumulative off-campus COA growth is 42.84% (public in-state), 29.17% (public out-of-state), and 27.85% (private).

Tuition & Fees Trends of Michigan Colleges from 2015 to 2025

The tables and charts below show how average college tuition and fees have changed in Michigan from 2015 through 2025.

All figures are based on the latest available IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) data published by the U.S. Department of Education. To keep the comparisons consistent, these averages reflect 4-year colleges and universities in Michigan and exclude most community colleges and trade schools due to differences in reporting and availability.

Under. (Public) Under. (Private) Graduate (Public) Graduate (Private)

For Michigan public schools, the 2025 undergraduate in-state tuition & fees are $13,475 which has increased by 44.23% over the current decade and the out-of-state cost is $22,709 which has risen by 21.97%. In average, the rate of increase in tuition is 2.20% while last year increase rate was 3.73%.

Table. Undergraduate Tuition Trends (Public Schools) From 2015 to 2025 for Michigan Colleges

	2015-2016	2016-2017	2017-2018	2018-2019	2019-2020	2020-2021	2021-2022	2022-2023	2023-2024	2024-2025
In-State Costs	$9,641	$10,220	$10,741	$11,125	$11,542	$11,803	$12,000	$12,486	$12,936	$13,475
Year-to-Year Rates	3.19%	6.01%	5.10%	3.57%	3.75%	2.26%	1.67%	4.05%	3.60%	4.17%
Cumulative Rates	3.19%	9.39%	14.97%	19.07%	23.54%	26.34%	28.44%	33.65%	38.46%	44.23%
Out-of-State Costs	$19,176	$19,829	$20,038	$19,474	$20,142	$20,557	$20,475	$21,147	$21,892	$22,709
Year-to-Year Rates	3.00%	3.40%	1.05%	-2.82%	3.43%	2.06%	-0.40%	3.28%	3.52%	3.73%
Cumulative Rates	3.00%	6.50%	7.63%	4.60%	8.18%	10.41%	9.97%	13.58%	17.58%	21.97%

For private schools in Michigan state, the 2025 undergraduate tuition & fees are $29,721 which has increased by 21.77% over the current decade. In average, the rate of increase in tuition is 2.18% while last year increase rate was 2.58%.

Table. Undergraduate Tuition Trends (Private Schools) From 2015 to 2025 for Michigan Colleges

	2015-2016	2016-2017	2017-2018	2018-2019	2019-2020	2020-2021	2021-2022	2022-2023	2023-2024	2024-2025
Tuition & Fees	$25,103	$25,936	$26,824	$24,672	$28,126	$26,479	$27,575	$28,287	$28,973	$29,721
Year-to-Year Rates	2.85%	3.32%	3.42%	-8.02%	14.00%	-5.86%	4.14%	2.58%	2.43%	2.58%
Cumulative Rates	2.85%	6.26%	9.90%	1.09%	15.24%	8.49%	12.98%	15.89%	18.70%	21.77%

The average graduate school tuition & fees of Michigan public schools are $18,820 which has increased by 46.60% over the current decade and the out-of-state graduate cost is $27,135 which has risen by 24.03%. In average, the rate of increase in graduate tuition is 2.40% while last year increase rate was 2.03%.

Table. Graduate Tuition Trends (Public Schools) From 2015 to 2025 for Michigan Colleges

	2015-2016	2016-2017	2017-2018	2018-2019	2019-2020	2020-2021	2021-2022	2022-2023	2023-2024	2024-2025
In-State Costs	$13,468	$14,181	$14,830	$15,519	$16,388	$16,197	$16,857	$17,502	$18,230	$18,820
Year-to-Year Rates	4.91%	5.30%	4.58%	4.64%	5.60%	-1.17%	4.07%	3.83%	4.15%	3.24%
Cumulative Rates	4.91%	10.47%	15.52%	20.88%	27.66%	26.17%	31.31%	36.34%	42.00%	46.60%
Out-of-State Costs	$22,759	$23,427	$24,285	$24,821	$25,599	$25,629	$25,731	$26,597	$26,596	$27,135
Year-to-Year Rates	4.02%	2.93%	3.67%	2.21%	3.13%	0.12%	0.40%	3.37%	0.00%	2.03%
Cumulative Rates	4.02%	7.08%	11.00%	13.45%	17.00%	17.14%	17.61%	21.57%	21.56%	24.03%

For private graduate schools in Michigan state, the 2025 tuition & fees are $20,428 which has increased by 15.90% over the current decade. In average, the rate of increase in graduate tuition is 1.59050% while last year increase rate was 1.32%.

Table. Graduate Tuition Trends (Private Schools) From 2015 to 2025 for Michigan Colleges

	2015-2016	2016-2017	2017-2018	2018-2019	2019-2020	2020-2021	2021-2022	2022-2023	2023-2024	2024-2025
Tuition & Fees	$17,740	$18,439	$18,899	$18,572	$19,137	$19,181	$19,245	$19,979	$20,162	$20,428
Year-to-Year Rates	0.65%	3.94%	2.49%	-1.73%	3.04%	0.23%	0.34%	3.81%	0.91%	1.32%
Cumulative Rates	0.65%	4.62%	7.23%	5.38%	8.58%	8.83%	9.20%	13.36%	14.40%	15.90%

You can check the changes of other college costs including room & board costs, book & supplies, and other living expenses at Michigan college cost trends.

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