University of Michigan: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

Law School Quadrangle, University of Michigan

Dr. Allen Grove is an Alfred University English professor and a college admissions expert with over 20 years of experience helping students transition to college.

Updated on March 26, 2020

The University of Michigan is a public research university with an acceptance rate of 23%. The university offers over 260 degrees within 14 undergraduate schools and colleges. Due to it's many strengths, the University of Michigan ranks among the country's top engineering schools and top undergraduate business schools.

Considering applying to this highly selective school? Here are the University of Michigan statistics you should know.

Why University of Michigan?

Acceptance Rate

During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, University of Michigan had an acceptance rate of 23%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 23 students were admitted, making Michigan's admissions process highly competitive.

University of Michigan Applicants' Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph.

The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to University of Michigan. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account.

Admissions Chances

University of Michigan has a highly competitive admissions pool with a low acceptance rate and high average SAT/ACT scores. However, Michigan has a holistic admissions process involving other factors beyond your grades and test scores. A strong application essay and glowing letters of recommendation can strengthen your application, as can participation in meaningful extracurricular activities and a rigorous course schedule. High grades in Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and Honors classes can play an important role in the admissions process, as these classes provide a good measure of college readiness. You'll also want to put thought into the University of Michigan supplemental essays. These essays include a question about your specific reasons for being interested in the college or school to which you are applying within the University of Michigan. Make sure your response is well researched and specific as this will provide an opportunity to demonstrate your interest in a meaningful way.

Students applying to the Ross School of Business, Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design, or the School of Music, Theatre & Dance will have additional application requirements.

With less than a fourth of applicants being admitted, the University of Michigan is one of the country's most selective public universities. In the graph above, green and blue represent accepted students. As you can see, the majority of accepted students had a GPA of A- or higher, an SAT score (ERW+M) above 1200, and an ACT composite score of 25 or higher. Your chance of getting acceptance goes up significantly as those numbers increase.