Christian colleges that pay for themselves fastest in Michigan
Christian colleges ranked by how many years of extra earnings, above a high school graduate’s, cover four years of net price.
Christian colleges that pay for themselves fastest in Michigan3 schools
3 schools qualify, ranked by payback years.
How this list is made
- Schools in Michigan.
- Christian undergraduate colleges on the Compass. Seminaries and graduate-only schools are not counted.
- Faith grade B or better (Faith score 70 or higher). Cost and outcomes never change a grade.
- Has median earnings ten years after enrolling and a net price from federal data (College Scorecard), and those earnings are above a high school graduate’s ($48,360 a year: median weekly earnings of $930 for full-time workers with a high school diploma, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Payback years = four years of net price ÷ (earnings − a high school graduate’s earnings). Ordered by payback years, fewest first. A simple estimate: it leaves out interest, taxes and earnings growth.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Calvin University
Grand Rapids, MI · Private nonprofit- Pays back in about 9.2 years
- Earnings $58,375 ten years out
- 2
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI · Private nonprofit- Pays back in about 10.4 years
- Earnings $53,187 ten years out
- 3
Spring Arbor University
Spring Arbor, MI · Private nonprofit- Pays back in about 23.0 years
- Earnings $51,732 ten years out
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calvin University | $22,992 | $23,250 | $58,375 | 74% |
| Andrews University | $12,547 | $26,000 | $53,187 | 72% |
| Spring Arbor University | $19,353 | $26,375 | $51,732 | 64% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.