University of Michigan: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

Law School Quadrangle, University of Michigan
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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?

  • Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
  • Campus Features: Located in one of the best college towns in the nation, University of Michigan's attractive 781-acre campus is home to over 500 buildings and the Matthaei Botanical Gardens.
  • Student/Faculty Ratio: 15:1
  • Athletics: The Michigan Wolverines compete in the NCAA Division I Big Ten Conference.
  • Highlights: The University of Michigan consistently ranks among the top public universities in the country with notable strengths in fields ranging from art to engineering.

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.

Admissions Statistics (2018-19)
Number of Applicants 64,972
Percent Admitted 23%
Percent Admitted Who Enrolled (Yield) 46%

SAT Scores and Requirements

The University of Michigan requires that applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 63% of admitted students submitted SAT scores.

SAT Range (Admitted Students)
Section 25th Percentile 75th Percentile
ERW 660 740
Math 680 790
ERW=Evidence-Based Reading and Writing

This admissions data tells us that most of Michigan's admitted students fall within the top 20% nationally on the SAT. For the evidence-based reading and writing section, 50% of students admitted to University of Michigan scored between 660 and 740, while 25% scored below 660 and 25% scored above 740. On the math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 680 and 790, while 25% scored below 680 and 25% scored above 790. Applicants with a composite SAT score of 1530 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at University of Michigan.

Requirements

University of Michigan does not require the SAT writing section. Note that Michigan does not superscore SAT results, your highest composite SAT score will be considered. SAT Subject tests are not required by University of Michigan unless you are a home-schooled applicant.

ACT Scores and Requirements

Michigan requires that all applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 48% of admitted students submitted ACT scores.

ACT Range (Admitted Students)
Section 25th Percentile 75th Percentile
English 32 35
Math 29 34
Composite 31 34

This admissions data tells us that most of University of Michigan's admitted students fall within the top 5% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to Michigan received a composite ACT score between 31 and 34, while 25% scored above 34 and 25% scored below 31.

Requirements

University of Michigan does not require the ACT writing section. Note that Michigan does not superscore ACT results, your highest composite ACT score will be considered.

GPA

In 2019, the middle 50% of University of Michigan's incoming class had high school GPAs between 3.8 and 4.0. 25% had a GPA above 4.0, and 25% had a GPA below 3.8. These results suggest that most successful applicants to Michigan have primarily A grades.

Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph

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

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.

All admissions data has been sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics and University of Michigan Undergraduate Admissions Office.

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Grove, Allen. "University of Michigan: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/university-michigan-gpa-sat-act-data-786716. Grove, Allen. (2023, April 5). University of Michigan: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/university-michigan-gpa-sat-act-data-786716 Grove, Allen. "University of Michigan: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/university-michigan-gpa-sat-act-data-786716 (accessed April 18, 2024).