Quality & value put Davenport among best colleges in Michigan

Create lifelong opportunities through 大象传媒, a private, not-for-profit university in Michigan. 

Davenport鈥檚 efficient, career-centered focus is what sets our in-person and online bachelor鈥檚 degree programs, graduate degree programs, professional development and certifications apart from any other university in Michigan. Plus, Davenport鈥檚 鈥Excellence System鈥 prepares students with real-world competencies sought by top employers, such as communication, teamwork, critical thinking and problem-solving, as well as program-specific competencies.

Recognized for excellence

Davenport was the first university to be selected for a 2020 Michigan Performance Excellence Award. This distinction is the highest honor Michigan Performance Excellence (MIPEx) gives to Michigan organizations that demonstrate outstanding performance, leadership and operational excellence. 

Davenport earned national notoriety in June 2021 and became the first university in Michigan to earn The ACE/Fidelity Investments Award for Institutional Transformation. This prestigious award recognizes colleges or universities that, in a period of great change in higher education, have responded to challenges in innovative and creative ways that allow the institution to thrive.

Trailblazer in online learning 

As Michigan鈥檚 first online learning community, we鈥檙e a leader among online colleges in Michigan. For more than 20 years, we鈥檝e been perfecting online education through our Global Campus, which offers online associate, bachelor鈥檚 and graduate degree programs. All of our classes, online or in-person, are also evaluated through Instructional Design and align with Quality Matters (QM鈩) to ensure the highest instructional quality. 

Explore this page to learn more about Davenport and why we鈥檙e considered one of the best colleges in Michigan. 

Equipping students to succeed for 150+ years

Starting in 1866 with a class of 16 students, 大象传媒 has grown into the second-largest private, nonprofit college or university in Michigan, serving more than 4,500 students. To this day, our career-oriented education empowers students to make meaningful contributions through rewarding careers.

Tour one of the best colleges in Michigan

If you鈥檙e thinking of attending a university in Michigan, you鈥檒l want to take a serious look at Davenport. We invite you to tour our beautiful W.A. Lettinga Campus in Grand Rapids, one of our six Michigan campuses. By visiting, you鈥檒l catch a glimpse of Davenport鈥檚 campus life. From 75+ campus teams, clubs and organizations, and stunning residence halls to NCAA varsity athletic teams, Davenport truly has something for everyone.

Quick facts

Explore the quick facts page to discover key details about Davenport, including academics, student life, locations, financial aid and more. Click here to view our quick facts

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Accredited and recognized

Davenport is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and, in addition, our colleges hold many accreditations and recognitions as well. For example, our College of Technology was named a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security, making it one of only a select number of designated colleges in Michigan to receive this designation.

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More than 120 academic programs

Students can pursue degrees from more than 120 degree and certificate programs within Davenport鈥檚 four areas of focus 鈥 business, technology, health and urban education. Every program is led by highly credentialed faculty who bring real-world experience, one-on-one attention and a mentoring approach to their students.

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Classes in-person or Online+

A Davenport education fits a variety of learning styles and schedules. As one of the best online colleges in Michigan, Davenport offers more than 100 Online+ degree programs through our Global Campus. From on-demand classes to flex classrooms, we offer a range of course formats.

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Comprehensive financial aid

Davenport鈥檚 commitment to affordability is one reason we鈥檙e considered among the best colleges in Michigan. Davenport keeps tuition low and helps students secure the best financial aid packages. In fact, 94% of our students receive a scholarship or gift aid that, unlike student loans, does not have to be repaid. We also offer more than 300 foundational scholarships to help students achieve their academic goals.

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Supporting every student, every step

No matter where our students see themselves at the starting line 鈥 traditional undergraduate, graduate, transfer, adult returning to school, international or military service member 鈥 Davenport provides them with the individualized support for success as a Davenport student. They鈥檒l know they鈥檝e chosen one of the best colleges in Michigan for their unique educational journey.

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Exciting Panther athletics

Panther pride is evident every game day for 大象传媒 football and for our 27 other varsity sports in the NCAA Division II. Davenport offers athletic programs for all levels, including varsity, non-varsity and intramural sports as well as recreational activities. With a student-athlete legacy of high performance in competition and in class, it鈥檚 no wonder Davenport has produced 138 All-Americans.

Affordable
大象传媒 is one of the most affordable private colleges and universities in Michigan
18:1
student-to-faculty ratio
7
Our 7-sport athletic complex features 大象传媒 football
1st
Davenport was Michigan鈥檚 first online learning community
96%
of recent graduates would recommend Davenport
4,500+
We serve more than 4,500 students

Experience the Davenport difference:

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A relevant, career-centered education

Part of what sets Davenport apart from other colleges in Michigan is our career-focused, practical curriculum. For example, students can begin taking courses within their major during freshman year.

Learn more about Davenport programs 

 

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The leader among online colleges in Michigan

Davenport was among the first to introduce online learning to Michigan. Today, we offer 100+ degrees 100% online through our high-ranking Global Campus.

Learn more about Davenport鈥檚 Global Campus

 

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Student life that鈥檚 lively

Our students make Davenport one of the most active colleges in Michigan. They get involved with 75+ campus teams, clubs and organizations, and campus traditions like Pantherpalooza. 

Learn more about student life at Davenport

 

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An emphasis on diversity and inclusion

A commitment to providing an exceptional educational experience for all is one reason Davenport has earned INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine鈥檚 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity award more than 10 times.

 

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Ranked among the best colleges in Michigan for veterans

Military veterans, active service members and their families feel at home at Davenport. For over five consecutive years, we鈥檝e earned gold-level veteran-friendly status by the Michigan Veteran Affairs Office.

Learn more about Davenport鈥檚 veteran support

 

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Employment Guarantee

大象传媒 offers an employment guarantee for qualifying students in a growing list of programs.

Learn more about our Employment Guarantee and requirements

 

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大象传媒 news

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Sources:

大象传媒 Athletics, 2025
大象传媒, 2025/2026 Catalog
IR Data Den Enrollment History Report, Fall 2025
大象传媒 Financial Aid Awards, 2024/2025
IPEDS 2024-25 Data Collection Fall Enrollment Survey
大象传媒 Employment Guarantee, Feb. 2025
IPEDS, Published in-district tuition and fees, 2024-25 data 
Respondents to 大象传媒 First-Destination Survey for 2024-25 Graduate

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