About

About University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

public research universityengineering and cs focuslarge flagship campusstrong graduate programs

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is a public research university in Ann Arbor, MI, known for its public research university, engineering and cs focus, and large flagship campus. With an acceptance rate of 18%, Michigan is highly selective, typically enrolling around 7,050 students each year. Michigan is test optional; students who submit scores are typically admitted with SATs between 1360–1530, though many competitive applicants choose not to submit. Michigan meets 100% of demonstrated financial need and has replaced loans with grants; for families earning under $125,000, the net cost is often $0.

Admissions

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor acceptance rate and admitted student profile

highly selective

18%
Overall Accept Rate
3.75
Typical Admitted GPA
1445
Median Admitted SAT
SATSubmitted score range: 1360 – 1530 (test optional)

Build your free list to see where your scores land →

Application Strategy

Strategy tips for applying to University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

The first 2 tips apply to all applicants. Your personalized strategy requires your profile — build your free list to unlock it.

Essay Strategy
Michigan's 'Why Michigan' essay is taken seriously by admissions readers, so go beyond naming programs and explain how specific resources like the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program or a particular lab connect to your exact goals. Generic answers about Ann Arbor's campus culture will not move the needle at an 18% acceptance rate school.
Application Strategy
You apply directly to a specific school or college within Michigan, such as LSA, Ross, or the College of Engineering, and admissions standards vary significantly between them, so research the fit between your intended major and the right division before you submit. Applying to LSA with a plan to transfer internally to Ross is a real path some students take, but it requires a separate competitive process once you are enrolled.

Get a tailored strategy for University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Build your free list to unlock personalized advice on submitting test scores and discover your actual admission odds based on your student profile.

Build My Free List →

Financial Aid & Cost

What University of Michigan-Ann Arbor actually costs your family

Average net prices by income bracket from College Scorecard data.

Loan-free financial aid: University of Michigan-Ann Arbor has replaced all loans with grants. For families earning under $125,000, the average net annual cost is $0. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor's sticker price of ~$71k/year bears almost no resemblance to what most families pay.
Family IncomeSticker PriceEst. Net Cost / yr
0-30kOften $0~$71k/yr~$0 / yr
30k-48kOften $0~$71k/yr~$0 / yr
48k-75kOften $0~$71k/yr~$0 / yr
75k-110k~$71k/yr$10.9k
110k+~$71k/yr$26.5k

Not sure what University of Michigan-Ann Arbor would cost your family? Build your free SpearMatch list. We show estimated net cost for every college on your list based on your income bracket.

Unlock real pricing for University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and matching colleges →

Personalize this page

Compare your profile to University of Michigan-Ann Arbor's admitted class

SpearMatch builds a tiered college list from your actual grades, scores, and preferences — and shows where you stand at every college. Free, no account, 4 minutes.

Build My Free List →

✓ Free forever  ·  ✓ No account  ·  ✓ 1,300+ four-year US colleges

Outcomes & Campus

Student outcomes and campus profile

93%
6-Year Graduation Rate
$74k
Median Earnings (6 yrs)
11:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
31,708
Undergrad Enrollment
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Acceptance Rate & Admissions | SpearMatch