Battle Creek, Michigan has 5 accredited schools offering public policy programs. Battle Creek has a population of about 52,392. Median household income is $51,699 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 22.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. In Michigan, the top-earning public policy-related role is Economists at a median $106,350 annually (BLS, May 2025).
Closest Public Policy Schools to Battle Creek
The accredited institutions listed below are the closest in our directory that offer public policy programs near Battle Creek, ranked by BOC Score and straight-line distance from Battle Creek city center. The list is rebuilt from federal IPEDS data on every site update.
How We Rank Schools
Every school list on this site is ordered by the BOC Score, computed from the most
recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS).
To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the
U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked
against schools at the same credential level:
BOCSCORE
- Graduation rate 30%
- Median earnings, 10 years after entry 25%
- Average net price (lower is better) 20%
- Retention rate 15%
- Fully online availability 10%
Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score.
On this page, schools are ordered by distance from Battle Creek.
Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.
Graduation rate
61%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$53,562
Avg net price
$15,273/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 80%
- Programs offered: 188
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
63%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$58,799
Avg net price
$14,301/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 70%
- Programs offered: 50
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
82%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$67,253
Avg net price
$19,680/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 91%
- Programs offered: 230
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
94%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$83,648
Avg net price
$13,138/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 98%
- Programs offered: 206
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Acceptance rate
90%
Graduation rate
60%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$55,874
Avg net price
$17,597/yr
TuitionIn‑state$14,760
Out‑of‑state$14,760
Key stats
- Retention rate: 75%
- Programs offered: 183
Source:Accreditor: Higher Learning Commission · IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
71%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$78,198
Avg net price
$14,182/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 88%
- Programs offered: 95
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Michigan schools on the Michigan public policy page.
Public Policy Wages Near Battle Creek
Battle Creek is part of the Battle Creek, MI metro area (BLS area code 12980). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Michigan statewide.
| Occupation |
Median Wage |
Source |
COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
| Political Scientists |
$86,290 |
MI statewide |
$95,348 |
| Management Analysts |
$91,560 |
Battle Creek, MI |
$101,171 |
| Economists |
$106,350 |
MI statewide |
$117,514 |
| Social and Community Service Managers |
$92,650 |
Battle Creek, MI |
$102,376 |
| Survey Researchers |
$101,550 |
MI statewide |
$112,210 |
| Compliance Officers |
$72,240 |
Battle Creek, MI |
$79,823 |
| General and Operations Managers |
$97,950 |
Battle Creek, MI |
$108,232 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts |
$78,900 |
Battle Creek, MI |
$87,182 |
Source: BLS, May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
Battle Creek at a Glance
| Metric |
Value |
Source |
| Population |
52,392 |
Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income |
$51,699 |
Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ |
22.1% |
Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) |
90.5 (below U.S. average) |
BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Battle Creek-Area Cities With Public Policy Programs
- Kalamazoo, MI – 18.4 mi away (214,583 pop)
- Portage, MI – 19.7 mi away (48,508 pop)
- Jackson, MI – 42.4 mi away (88,394 pop)
- Kentwood, MI – 44.5 mi away (51,689 pop)
- Lansing, MI – 44.6 mi away (318,278 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited public policy schools are near Battle Creek, MI?
Our directory has 5 accredited schools offering public policy programs near Battle Creek. The closest is Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI (19.7 miles), and the farthest of the schools shown is University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (76.4 miles). 4 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying public policy roles near Battle Creek?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2025 wage data, the top-paying public policy-related roles near Battle Creek are: Economists ($106,350), Survey Researchers ($101,550), General and Operations Managers ($97,950). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Michigan statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Kalamazoo instead of Battle Creek?
Kalamazoo, MI is 18.4 miles from Battle Creek and has its own set of local public policy programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Battle Creek an affordable place to study public policy?
Battle Creek’s median household income of $51,699 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Battle Creek while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Michigan public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
How do I verify a program is accredited?
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.
Learn More About Public Policy Programs
Other Programs Available in Battle Creek
Compare every accredited online degree program with city-level data for Battle Creek:
- History programs in Battle Creek, MI
- English programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Sociology programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Anthropology programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Political Science programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Philosophy programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Mathematics programs in Battle Creek, MI
- General Studies programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Forensic Psychology programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Child Development programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Data Science programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Electrical Engineering programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Software Engineering programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Engineering Management programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Geography programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Aviation Management programs in Battle Creek, MI
- International Relations programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Chemistry programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Physics programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Neuroscience programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Spanish programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Film programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Fashion programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Architecture programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Urban Planning programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Industrial Design programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Game Design programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Instructional Design programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Higher Education Administration programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Global Health programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Art History programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Creative Writing programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Environmental Science programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Nutrition programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Theology programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Library Science programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Applied Behavior Analysis programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Medical Billing and Coding programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Medical Assistant programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Pharmacy Technician programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Health Science programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Occupational Safety and Health programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Entrepreneurship programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Interior Design programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Photography programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Sustainability Management programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Behavioral Health Science programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Mental Health Counseling programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Substance Abuse Counseling programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Journalism programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Public Relations programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Communication Disorders programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Speech Pathology programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Technical Communication programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Professional Writing programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Strategic Communications programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Business Development programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Construction Management programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Economics programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Financial Technology programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Forensic Accounting programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Health Information Management programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Hospitality Management programs in Battle Creek, MI
- International Business programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Organizational Leadership programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Management Information Systems programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Nonprofit Management programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Operations Management programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Public Administration programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Real Estate programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Recreation Management programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Retail Management programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Risk Management programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Statistics programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Taxation programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Corrections programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Crime Analysis programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Criminal Justice Administration programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Criminology programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Cybercrime programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Emergency Management programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Fire Science programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Forensic Science programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Legal Services programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Legal Studies programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Paralegal programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Security Management programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Cloud Computing programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Computer Engineering programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Innovation programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Mobile App Development programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Software Development programs in Battle Creek, MI
- User Experience programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Web Development programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Artificial Intelligence programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Machine Learning programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Supply Chain Management programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Data Analytics programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Public Health programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Human Resources programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Project Management programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Special Education programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Homeland Security programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Marketing programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Finance programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Kinesiology programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Sports Management programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Early Childhood Education programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Elementary Education programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Biology programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Communications programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Graphic Design programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Human Services programs in Battle Creek, MI
- MBA programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Criminal Justice programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Nursing programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Business Administration programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Computer Science programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Psychology programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Education programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Engineering programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Technology programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Liberal Arts programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Healthcare programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Cybersecurity programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Accounting programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Healthcare Administration programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Social Work programs in Battle Creek, MI
- Counseling programs in Battle Creek, MI
Data verified: September 5, 2026.
Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
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