Admit rate has ranged 18%–26% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is a powerhouse public research university where academic rigor meets Big Ten spirit. With a 16% acceptance rate and top-ranked programs across engineering, business, and the liberal arts, Michigan attracts driven students who balance intense coursework with a vibrant campus culture. Its 93% graduation rate and strong alumni network deliver exceptional outcomes, though out-of-state costs can sting without aid.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Letters of recommendation
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Grade point average
Class rank
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
34,177
In-state tuition
$17,736
Out-of-state tuition
$60,946
Acceptance Rate
16%
First-Year Retention
97%
Student-Faculty Ratio
7:1
6-Year Graduation Rate
93%
Median Early-Career Earnings
$64,597
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$83,648
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
6.4×
Median debt at graduation
$19,500
Graduation rate
93%
First-year retention
97%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
79%
Pell (lower-income) share
41%
First-generation share
21%
Endowment / student
$552,850
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Computer and Information Sciences, General$94,281
Business Administration, Management and Operations$83,177
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$82,123
Computer Engineering$79,389
Industrial Engineering$77,235
Information Science/Studies
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
45
Per 1,000 students
1.32
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
93
Summer high
81°F
Winter low
22°F
Annual rain
36.8"
Annual snow
31.8"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Future-scholar output
Science & engineering PhDstop 3 nationally
Humanities & social-science PhDstop 4 nationally
Share of this school’s graduates who go on to earn research doctorates (2010–20), by national rank and per-capita yield (NSF institutional-yield ratio). A signal of a research-oriented student culture — not a causal promise, since it partly reflects who enrolls. Only top producers appear. Source: NSF NCSES, Baccalaureate Origins of U.S. Research Doctorate Recipients.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
1.5%
Bottom → top quintile
50%
From bottom quintile
3%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor?
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor's acceptance rate is approximately 16% (Ann Arbor, MI), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for University of Michigan-Ann Arbor?
Admitted students at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor typically score 1360–1530 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does University of Michigan-Ann Arbor cost?
At University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, the average net price (after aid) is about $13,138 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend University of Michigan-Ann Arbor?
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor enrolls approximately 34,177 undergraduate students.
Where is University of Michigan-Ann Arbor located?
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is located in Ann Arbor, MI.
Admissions
Gaining admission to Michigan is highly competitive, with an Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. hovering around 16% for recent cycles. The middle 50% of admitted students boast SAT scores between 1360-1530 and ACT scores of 31-35, with an average weighted GPA of 4.0. Notably, the waitlist acceptance rate is far lower—just 4% historically. While Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight. since 2020, 60% of enrolled first-years submitted SAT/ACT scores. Applications are due by February 1, with deferred admission options available. Transfer admission is similarly selective, though specific rates aren't published in the Common Data Set (CDS)A standardized report most colleges publish each year with admissions, test-score, and financial-aid figures, making schools easier to compare..
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$76,460
Mechanical Engineering$76,070
Chemical Engineering$75,104
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Academics
Michigan offers 250+ degree programs across 19 schools, with particularly elite offerings in engineering, business, and computer science. The Ross School of Business and College of Engineering are perennially top-10 ranked, while humanities and social sciences—like economics and English—also draw national recognition. A 7:1 student-faculty ratio supports close mentorship despite the university's size. Students describe the culture as 'competitive but collaborative,' with undergrads frequently engaging in research (40% participate). Unique programs include the Mathematical Sciences sub-major and Mathematics of Finance and Risk Management, reflecting Michigan's strength in quantitative fields.
Ann Arbor's walkable college town vibe blends with Michigan's sprawling, 3,200-acre campus. Over 1,600 student orgs—from Quidditch teams to venture capital clubs—cater to niche interests, while Greek life (20% participation) anchors social scenes. The arts thrive here: the University Musical Society hosts 60+ performances yearly, and the Museum of Art holds 21,000 works. Students report a 'work-hard, play-hard' balance, with football Saturdays (and rivalries with Ohio State) uniting campus. Housing guarantees exist for first-years, though many upperclassmen move to off-campus apartments like The Yard or Zaragon West.
Michigan's 93% six-year graduation rate towers above the 64% average for public universities. Within five years of graduating, alumni earn a median $61,099 (22% above peers), climbing to $100,643 mid-career. Notably, 86% outearn the median high school grad, with engineering and business majors commanding the highest salaries. The Ross School's BBA program sees 98% job placement within three months. Michigan's 500,000+ alumni network—including Google's Larry Page and Ford's Jim Hackett—provides unparalleled industry connections, particularly in tech (Silicon Valley) and automotive (Detroit).
For 2024-25, out-of-state tuition hits $58,072, while in-state students pay $17,786. However, 69% of freshmen receive aid, with an average package of $25,050. The Go Blue Guarantee covers full tuition for in-state families earning under $75,000. Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculators suggest typical costs after aid range from $19,005 (in-state) to $39,774 (out-of-state). Merit scholarships are rare—only 5% of undergrads receive them—but need-based grants are robust. Loan repayment averages $181/month, below the national median, reflecting strong post-grad earnings.
Michigan delivers an Ivy-caliber education with Big Ten camaraderie. Its #1 public university reputation (per many rankings) stems from world-class faculty—including 7 Nobel laureates—and $1.7B annual research expenditures. The Michigan Difference isn't just marketing: students access undergrad research grants, top-tier career fairs (400+ employers recruit here), and a global alumni network. Quirks like the "Victors" fight song and Hash Bash counterculture event reveal a campus that takes neither itself too seriously nor academics lightly. For those who thrive on energy and opportunity, few publics match U-M's blend of excellence and school spirit.
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor logo · sourceExplore the Ann Arbor Campus · sourceHistory | Campus Information · sourceExplore the Ann Arbor Campus · source
