Forbes Spotlights Michigan’s Top Leading Colleges For 2026

During a time when cuts are being made to higher education, here's are 14 colleges and universities located in Michigan which shine in the national spotlight!

Forbes has released its list of top 500 colleges in America for the 2026 school year and we're proud to share the 14 Michigan schools making the cut this time around:

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According to Forbes the search went far beyond standard (boring) ivy league colleges to find the best return on your investment in you. Writes Forbes,

Cost and how well a school fits a student (academically and otherwise), should remain the prime factors as families consider college choices. But the current turmoil could also affect undergraduates’ experiences, college counselors warn...[schools] are ranked based exclusively on outcomes for undergraduates, but it’s worth noting that American graduate education is primed for a huge shakeup

Check out the schools receiving national praise from Forbes when considering student success vs. student debt ratios:

14 Michigan Universities Top Forbes' 2026 College Rankings

Forbes has released its list of top 500 colleges in America for the 2026 school year and we're proud to share the 14 Michigan schools making the cut this time around.

Gallery Credit: Lauren Gordon

These Are The Top 20 Best Public High Schools In Michigan

Niche released its list of the best public high schools in Michigan using factors such as state test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, teacher quality, high school ratings, and millions of reviews from students and parents, and data from the U.S. Department of Education.

Gallery Credit: Jessica Poxson

13 Children Who Went Missing in Michigan in 2025

In 2025, a troubling number of children have gone missing across Michigan, with reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) detailing 13 cases. The missing children, whose ages range from 14 to 17, were reported missing from various cities, including Flint, Evart, Ypsilanti, Kalamazoo, Clinton Township, Alma, Grand Rapids, Detroit, and Saginaw. Each case highlights the urgent need for community awareness and vigilance regarding the safety of children. Some notable cases include Harmony Ann Rector and Nevaeh Jacole Doke, both missing since July, and Aaliyah Simmons, along with Jazmine Marie Covington, both missing since February. The article emphasizes the importance of public involvement, urging anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of these children to contact local law enforcement or the NCMEC hotline at 1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST). The rising number of missing children calls for heightened awareness and proactive measures to ensure their safety and well-being.

Gallery Credit: Dana Marshall and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)

Source: Michigan’s Top Universities Spotlighted in Forbes’ 2026 Report