University of Michigan-Ann Arbor: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Ann Arbor, Michigan · Public · Highly selective · CDS 2025-2026
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University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is a public university in Ann Arbor, Michigan that admits about 16% of applicants, making it a highly selective school. The average family pays about $13,138 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Computer and Information Sciences, General, Research and Experimental Psychology and Economics, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 93% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 3.7 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is a public institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan and one of the highly selective schools in the country. For the most recent reporting cycle, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor admits between 1 in 10 and 1 in 4 applicants, with an overall admission rate of 16%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT around 1470. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $13,138 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What parents should know about University of Michigan-Ann Arbor right now
The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor enrolls more than 53,000 students, including over 35,000 undergraduates across 19 schools and colleges that offer more than 280 degree programs. With a 2025 endowment of $21.2 billion and a 2026 operating budget of $15.6 billion, Michigan has the financial scale of a private research university while keeping a public mission. The Ross School of Business, the College of Engineering, and the Stephen M. Ross Athletic Campus are nationally recognized, and Michigan is a founding member of the Association of American Universities. The most parent-relevant recent development is the expansion of the Go Blue Guarantee. Beginning fall 2025, in-state Ann Arbor undergraduates from families with annual incomes up to $125,000 and assets up to $125,000 qualify for free tuition and mandatory fees for up to four years. Transfer, incoming, and continuing first-bachelor's-degree students are eligible if they meet the income and asset thresholds and the priority financial aid deadline. The Dearborn and Flint campuses also offer Go Blue Guarantee tuition coverage but require a 3.5 GPA. Families should note that the Ann Arbor program covers tuition and required fees, not housing or food, so they should still budget for room and board in any net-price comparison.
What GPA does my child need for University of Michigan-Ann Arbor?
94% of enrolled students at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.9, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What does University of Michigan-Ann Arbor weight in admissions?
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Academic GPA
- • Standardized test scores
- • Application essay
- • Recommendations
- • Character/personal qualities
- • First generation status
SAT and ACT scores University of Michigan-Ann Arbor typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 680–780, with an EBRW midpoint near —. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 31–34. Scores below the 25th-percentile mark are accepted occasionally, but the realistic submission target for most families is the school's middle-50 floor or higher.
| 25th percentile | 1370 |
| 50th percentile | 1470 |
| 75th percentile | 1530 |
| % submitting SAT | 55% |
| 25th percentile | 32 |
| 50th percentile | 33 |
| 75th percentile | 34 |
| % submitting ACT | 18% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Recommended
How much does University of Michigan-Ann Arbor actually cost?
Published tuition is $17,736 for in-state students and $60,946 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $15,328 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $13,138 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 18% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $17,864 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $63,480 |
| Room and board | $1,000 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $13,138 |
| Application fee | $75 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
| Regular deadline | 2/1 |
| Notification date | 1/31 (early action); regular decisions starting early February, no later than early April |
| Reply deadline | May 1 or within 2 weeks if notified thereafter |
| Offers Early Action | Yes |
| EA deadline | November 1 |
Will my child graduate from University of Michigan-Ann Arbor?
These predict outcomes at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
The most popular undergraduate programs at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Computer and Information Sciences, General, Research and Experimental Psychology and Economics. Across all programs, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor confers roughly 4,077 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Computer and Information Sciences, General program report a median income of about $153,297 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 1,070 | $153,297 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 714 | $63,419 |
| Economics | 618 | $108,627 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 598 | $140,827 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 275 | $101,514 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 272 | $65,675 |
| Biology, General | 267 | $61,737 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 263 | $73,196 |
Is University of Michigan-Ann Arbor safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), University of Michigan-Ann Arbor disclosed 125 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 3.7 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 29 violent offenses and 73 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor?
About 26% of undergraduates at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 11% of men join a fraternity and 16% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in Michigan parents ask about
Colleges that admit at a similar rate
Next steps for University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Common questions parents ask about University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
What GPA do I need for University of Michigan-Ann Arbor?
94% of enrolled students at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.9, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does University of Michigan-Ann Arbor typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 680–780, with an EBRW midpoint near —. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 31–34.
How much does University of Michigan-Ann Arbor actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor after grants and scholarships is $13,138 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $17,736 and $60,946 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is University of Michigan-Ann Arbor realistic for my child?
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor admits 16% of applicants, so 680–780 SAT Math is target range and below 680 is a reach. Then check the $13,138 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor?
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor accepts about 16% of applicants out of roughly 109,112 who apply each year. That makes it a highly selective school.
Is University of Michigan-Ann Arbor test-optional?
Yes. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor?
About 93% of students at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor graduate within six years. 97% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does University of Michigan-Ann Arbor look for in applicants?
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor rates course rigor and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is University of Michigan-Ann Arbor a public or private school, and where is it located?
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is a public institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
What are the most popular majors at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor?
The largest undergraduate majors at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor by annual graduates are Computer and Information Sciences, General, Research and Experimental Psychology and Economics. The school awards about 4,077 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is University of Michigan-Ann Arbor safe? What is its campus crime rate?
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor reported 125 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 3.7 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor?
At University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, 26% of undergraduates live on campus, 11% of men are in fraternities, 16% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers