Accounting Schools in Michigan

Michigan borders four of the five Great Lakes and has a population of 10 million, according to IBIS World. The state has historically been a U.S. manufacturing hub, with headquarters for General Motors, Ford, BorgWarner and other companies.

Manufacturing corporations require accountants to track production costs, inventory, and budgeting requirements. Accounting professionals can work outside the state’s manufacturing industry to pursue roles as compliance officers, financial analysts, or financial managers.

According to the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics, Michigan has a slightly higher job openings-to-employment ratio than the U.S. average. This ratio measures job availability — a higher number means more available jobs per employed person.

Learn about the benefits, costs, and delivery formats of accounting programs within Michigan. Discover common career paths after graduation and certified public accountant (CPA) requirements in the state.

Michigan has a rich history of education. The University of Michigan, founded in 1817, existed 20 years before Michigan became a state in 1837. Michigan also established the first land-grant university, Michigan State University, in the U.S.

In the 21st century, Michigan had a peak of nearly 1 million postsecondary enrollees in 2011, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Since the peak, the number of students within the state has been steadily declining, with a total postsecondary student population of 596,000 in 2023.

Michigan’s state government hopes to increase college enrollment and has implemented new scholarships and programs to help meet its goal. The state’s “Sixty by 30” program aims to increase the number of adults with a certificate or college degree from the current 51.8% to 60% in 2030.

In 2023, Michigan started the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, which provides financial aid to recent high school graduates. The scholarship offers bachelor’s degree enrollees up to $5,500 annually for a maximum of five years.

Students in the best accounting schools in Michigan can network at school events, meet local businesses, and find an in-state internship. Individuals with local connections and experiences may have an easier time finding employment within the state.

Michigan has a higher number of four-year colleges than the U.S. average. However, the state has fewer bachelor’s and graduate degree-holders than the U.S. average.

In 2024, Michigan provided full-time postsecondary enrollees direct and indirect financial assistance that almost matched the nationwide average. More than half the students within Michigan did not attend any online courses.

Schools offer various curriculums, programs, and teaching methods that can be difficult to compare. You should ensure that any prospective school is accredited, which demonstrates that it meets academic standards.

Accreditation agencies can provide individual programmatic accreditation or institutional accreditation. Programmatic accreditation only applies to a single program, while institutional accreditation applies to an entire school.

The Higher Learning Commission offers regional institutional accreditation for schools within Michigan. Accreditation agencies may also offer national institutional accreditation.

Your school decision process may consider many factors, including price, location, available degrees, and more. Your choice may be heavily influenced by program type, as individuals may prefer online, in-person, or hybrid programs. In Michigan, nearly 50% of students are enrolled in at least some online courses or fully online programs.

If you choose an online degree, you can complete any Michigan-based program from your home computer. Nevertheless, you may prefer a hybrid or in-person program to experience a traditional college education, make friends, and participate in on-campus events. Hybrid programs combine the benefits of online and in-person courses, which may be why 31% of students in Michigan participated in at least some online courses.

On-campus programs require attending live courses at pre-set times. These traditional programs offer structure that may help build organizational and time management skills. You may also enjoy the traditional college experience, including attending lectures, joining extracurriculars, and making friends. Michigan offers multiple college towns, like Ann Arbor, that provide a unique experience through a young population that may have tens of thousands of students.

Online programs allow students to complete courses from the comfort of their homes. Programs may offer synchronous or asynchronous options. You may find online programs beneficial if you do not live near any schools or require a flexible schedule. However, online programs provide fewer interactions with classmates and professors.

Hybrid programs combine in-person and online classes. You may prefer hybrid programs if you wish to obtain a traditional college experience with some flexibility. Since you must attend live courses, you should choose a program within a reasonable distance from your home.

In Michigan, the average tuition rate for public schools exceeds the national average, while private schools may be slightly cheaper than the national average. You can utilize financial aid to help pay for the best accounting schools in Michigan, including the following options:

You can check out the pages below to learn more about financial aid options and scholarship opportunities.

Public schools may have different in-state and out-of-state tuition rates, depending upon a student’s place of residence. In-state students typically receive a lower tuition rate as their family has been contributing towards local taxes, which help fund public schools. On average, Michigan schools charged out-of-state students nearly three times more for tuition.

Michigan does not participate in any state-wide tuition reciprocity programs that would reduce out-of-state tuition for students. However, certain schools offer discounts for qualified out-of-state students. For example, Wayne State University provides a discounted tuition rate for students from a state or province that borders a Great Lake.

Your budget must consider more than just the cost of tuition and school supplies. You must also budget for the cost of living, including food, transportation, utilities, and more. According to the MERIC, Michigan has a cost of living index score of 89.8, compared to the U.S. average of 100. This means that the cost of living in Michigan is about 10% lower than the U.S. average.

Michigan has a GDP of $566 billion and has grown 1.8% annually from 2019-2024, according to IBIS World. The state’s largest industries include automobiles, auto parts, and healthcare. These industries have complex finances and global supply chains that may utilize financing arrangements, dealership incentives, and volume discounts.

Companies with complex structures or business models must employ accountants to monitor transactions and maintain compliance. According to Projections Central, the number of accountants in Michigan may grow by 1.8% between 2022 and 2032. Each of the Big Four accounting firms has one or more offices in Michigan. The section below discusses the most prevalent accounting roles in Michigan.

Accountants can perform multiple functions, including preparing financial statements, identifying financial risks, and calculating tax requirements. These professionals must stay up to date on accounting rules and regulations to ensure they produce compliant financial documents. Accountants should have interpersonal skills to communicate reports and findings to colleagues, clients, and managers.

Job Outlook in Michigan (2022-32): +1.8%

Financial analysts review investments to help individuals and businesses maximize returns. These analysts typically become experts in one field, including stocks, bonds, or foreign currencies. They can determine the value of an investment by reviewing financial data, assessing a company’s management team, and reviewing macro-scale business trends.

Job Outlook in Michigan (2022-32): +6.2%

Financial managers work within a company to oversee corporate finances and develop business plans. Managers can present investment opportunities, market shifts, and forecasts to top executives. These managers typically oversee financial departments that work on reports and budgeting.

Job Outlook in Michigan (2022-32): +14.2%

According to the salaries in the table above, most accounting careers in Michigan pay less than the U.S. average. Michigan’s lower cost of living may partially contribute to the lower wages within the state.

Michigan’s top accounting-related careers include bookkeepers, accountants, and financial managers, who require an associate or bachelor’s degree.

Each state sets its own rules and requirements for CPA licensure. The list below details the education, experience, and examination requirements to become a CPA in Michigan.