Who We Are
Our Mission
Michigan Colleges Foundation strengthens the shared capacity of 14 leading independent colleges and universities grounded in a liberal arts tradition to recruit students, support them financially, and connect them to Michigan career opportunities.
Our Vision
Michigan Colleges Foundation will be recognized nationally in promoting independent colleges and universities grounded in a liberal arts tradition. Together, MCF schools will have a positive impact on Michigan's future, and their graduates will become the recruiting choice for leading Michigan organizations.
Our History
Michigan Colleges Foundation (MCF) was founded shortly after World War II in 1949 to "foster and perpetuate private higher educational institutions" in Michigan and to mobilize the interest of business, industry and foundations on their behalf. At that same time, there was a concern to support the great rush of military veterans returning from war who were entering college. Michigan business leaders understood the need for corporate sector funds to maintain choice in independent higher education. MCF is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation and is a member of the Foundation for Independent Higher Education (FIHE) and The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC).
Our Distinctive Brand of Education
MCF members take great pride in providing a high quality, values-guided education in the liberal tradition - in smaller, nurturing environments that encourage creativity, ethical values, critical thinking, global intelligence and civic engagement.
While individually our campuses are smaller, collectively, MCF is the third largest university in the state. We boast 35,000 students, 1500 faculty, and more than 90 academic majors.
And, as a group, MCF institutions have higher four-year graduation rates than their public university counterparts and enroll a higher percentage of minority and Pell Grant eligible students.
Over 70% of our students are Michigan residents, and the majority remain in Michigan after graduation. With Michigan-based alumni of over 150,000 and counting, our reach grows every day.
