Police Administration Degree in Michigan: Salary, Schools & Outlook (2026)

Quick answer: Michigan employs about 3,290 police and detective supervisors (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing runs through your state peace officer standards and training commission. Programs, the careers this degree opens, and what they pay are below.

Compare police and public safety administration programs enrolling now:

Licensing and Credentials in Michigan

Sworn officers are certified by a state peace-officer standards and training commission, not by a degree, and promotion to sergeant or above is governed by the employing agency’s own process. What a degree does here is satisfy the educational requirement many agencies attach to command ranks and to federal law enforcement hiring. Requirements differ agency by agency as well as state by state.

Requirements are set at state level and are amended periodically. Before you enroll in any program, confirm with your state peace officer standards and training commission that the specific program you are considering satisfies the education requirement, and ask what it accepts from any training you have already completed. Get the answer in writing.

Earning the Degree While You Work

Most people reading this already have a job in the field, and the practical question is whether the credential can be earned without leaving it. Programs designed for working adults deliver the academic portion online or in the evening, while any labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience happen in person and locally. Prior college credit, military training, apprenticeship coursework and industry certifications can all shorten the path, so request a written transfer credit evaluation before you commit to any school.

Schools Near You

Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.

How we rank schools – graduation rate, graduate earnings, cost and retention. Advertising plays no part.

This page lists 10 schools within 93 miles, closest group first, then ordered by BOC Score with the highest at the top. 10 of them carry a score.

Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate how often students finish
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry whether it paid off
25%
Average net price what students actually pay after aid; lower ranks higher
20%
Retention rate how many come back for year two
15%
Fully online availability whether you can study while working
10%

Scores come from IPEDS (2024) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are for all graduates of a school, not one program, so treat them as a signal about the institution rather than about this subject. Sponsored listings are paid placements and are labelled as such; they are separate from this ranking and never change it. Read the full methodology.

#1

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI 15.2 miles away BOC Score 80.6
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 81.4% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 25
  • Annual completions: 1872
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $74,093 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#2

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, MI 79.0 miles away BOC Score 65.8
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 67.8% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 27
  • Annual completions: 1223
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $60,491 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#3

Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI 78.4 miles away BOC Score 64.7
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 47.4% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 64
  • Annual completions: 2030
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $64,721 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

Spring Arbor University

Spring Arbor, MI 50.9 miles away BOC Score 54.6
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Programs offered: 8
  • Annual completions: 65
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $55,203 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

Henry Ford College

Dearborn, MI 69.3 miles away BOC Score 53.9
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 13.8% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 92
  • Annual completions: 1067
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $54,466 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#6

Macomb Community College

Warren, MI 74.7 miles away BOC Score 51.8
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 17.0% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 89
  • Annual completions: 1327
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $50,529 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#7

Oakland Community College

Auburn Hills, MI 59.2 miles away BOC Score 48.9
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 19.3% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 91
  • Annual completions: 1099
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $53,677 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#8

Glen Oaks Community College

Centreville, MI 92.9 miles away BOC Score 46.3
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 39.7% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 28
  • Annual completions: 87
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $52,191 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#9

Kellogg Community College

Battle Creek, MI 59.2 miles away BOC Score 44.1
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 27.6% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 50
  • Annual completions: 671
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $41,918 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#10

Adrian College

Adrian, MI 72.2 miles away BOC Score 42.1
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 17
  • Annual completions: 85
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $55,233 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

What First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives Earn in Michigan

First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives in Michigan earn a median $98,140 per year, below the national median of $106,040 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Police and Public Safety Administration Pay and Employment in Michigan at a Glance

MetricMichiganNationalSource
Median annual wage$98,140$106,040BLS OEWS, May 2025
10th percentile$69,680$63,350BLS OEWS, May 2025
25th percentile$81,580$81,860BLS OEWS, May 2025
75th percentile$103,320$132,620BLS OEWS, May 2025
90th percentile$122,200$165,110BLS OEWS, May 2025
Employment3,290154,610BLS OEWS, May 2025
Location quotient0.751.00BLS OEWS, May 2025
Projected change (2024-34)not published by state2.9%BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34

How Michigan Pay Compares to the Rest of the Country

The Michigan median of $98,140 sits below the national median of $106,040 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Percentiles matter more than the midpoint when you are deciding whether a degree pays for itself: the 10th percentile is roughly where people start, and the 90th is what the top of the local market looks like after years of experience.

A location quotient of 0.75 puts Michigan below the national average, so the occupation is less concentrated here than in the typical state. Expect a thinner local job market and fewer employers to move between (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The measure compares how concentrated the occupation is here against the national average of 1.00.

Where the Jobs Are in Michigan

Metro areaMedian annual wageEmployment
Ann Arbor$99,45060
Detroit$98,1401,680
Grand Rapids$97,140280
Jackson$95,82040
Battle Creek$95,80030
Kalamazoo$94,53090
Lansing$94,150230
Muskegon$90,02050
Niles$82,16080
Monroe$81,65030

Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Command positions exist where the agencies are. Metro population, the number of municipal departments and the presence of state or federal offices all drive demand.

First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives Wages by Metro Area in Michigan

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), first-line supervisors of police and detectives wages in Michigan vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn1,680$98,140$102,920$80,230$126,600
Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood280$97,140$97,160$63,400$123,230
Lansing-East Lansing230$94,150$96,910$73,080$130,940
Flint120$79,970$86,530$74,940$109,720
Kalamazoo-Portage90$94,530$99,110$81,170$117,200
South Bend-Mishawaka80$82,450$87,650$73,920$108,200
Niles80$82,160$80,460$42,640$101,030
Traverse City70$80,990$83,390$58,770$102,860
Ann Arbor60$99,450$103,080$67,490$133,090
Michigan City-La Porte50$77,890$79,940$63,440$117,990
Muskegon-Norton Shores50$90,020$90,910$77,510$109,670
Jackson40$95,820$92,550$69,490$114,640
Saginaw40$78,570$86,110$59,240$120,380
Battle Creek30$95,800$93,330$74,300$115,830
Monroe30$81,650$83,410$60,220$98,100

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

All Michigan Metro Areas With Published Data

Detroit * Flint * Grand Rapids * Lansing


Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do police and detective supervisors make in Michigan?

The median annual wage for police and detective supervisors in Michigan is $98,140, below the national median of $106,040 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle of the range runs from $81,580 at the 25th percentile to $103,320 at the 75th.

How many police and detective supervisors work in Michigan?

Michigan holds about 3,290 police supervisor jobs (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Nationally the occupation employs 154,610, and BLS projects about 10,900 openings per year through 2034 (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).

Do I need a license to work as a police supervisor in Michigan?

Sworn officers are certified by a state peace-officer standards and training commission, not by a degree, and promotion to sergeant or above is governed by the employing agency's own process. What a degree does here is satisfy the educational requirement many agencies attach to command ranks and to federal law enforcement hiring. Requirements differ agency by agency as well as state by state. Requirements are set at the state level and change periodically, so confirm the current rules with your state peace officer standards and training commission before you enroll in any program.

Can I earn a criminal justice and law enforcement administration degree online while working in Michigan?

Often yes. Programs built for working adults deliver coursework online or in the evenings, though any required labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience are completed in person. Confirm that the program's accreditation satisfies your state peace officer standards and training commission.

What is the highest-paying area of Michigan for police and detective supervisors?

Among Michigan metro areas with published data, Ann Arbor reports the highest median at $99,450 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Is Michigan a good state for police and detective supervisors?

On pay, the state median of $98,140 sits below the national $106,040 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A location quotient of 0.75 means the occupation is less concentrated here than in the average state. Weigh that against cost of living and how concentrated the work is near where you actually want to live.

Sources

  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives (SOC 33-1012), national, state and metropolitan estimates
  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.