University of Miami: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

University of Miami

gregobagel/Getty Images

The University of Miami is a private research university with an acceptance rate of 27%. To apply, students can use the Common Application. UM offers Early Decision and Early Action options that can improve admission chances for students who are sure the university is their top choice school.

Considering applying to the University of Miami? Here are the admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/ACT scores and GPAs of admitted students.

Why the University of Miami?

  • Location: Coral Gables, Florida
  • Campus Features: The 239-acre main campus sits just southwest of Miami and features a central lake and high-rise residence halls. The university has additional campuses for the School of Medicine and School of Marine and Atmospheric Science.
  • Student/Faculty Ratio: 12:1
  • Athletics: The Miami Hurricanes compete in the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference.
  • Highlights: Miami's diverse student body comes from 50 states and over 120 countries. The university has many academic strengths including a top-ranked Marine Biology program. Undergraduate and graduate students can choose from over 180 majors and programs.

Acceptance Rate

During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, the University of Miami had an acceptance rate of 27%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 27 students were admitted, making UM's admissions process highly competitive.

Admissions Statistics (2018-19)
Number of Applicants 38,893
Percent Admitted 27%
Percent Admitted Who Enrolled (Yield) 21%

SAT Scores and Requirements

The University of Miami requires that most applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. Note that applicants to the Frost School of Music and the School of Architecture are not required to submit test scores. Applicants to the music program must complete an audition, and architecture students may submit a portfolio in lieu of test scores. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 57% of admitted students submitted SAT scores.

SAT Range (Admitted Students)
Section 25th Percentile 75th Percentile
ERW 630 700
Math 640 740
ERW=Evidence-Based Reading and Writing

This admissions data tells us that most of UM'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 the University of Miami scored between 630 and 700, while 25% scored below 630 and 25% scored above 700. On the math section, 50% of students admitted to the University of Miami scored between 640 and 740, while 25% scored below 640 and 25% scored above 740. Applicants with a composite SAT score of 1440 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at the University of Miami.

Requirements

The University of Miami does not require the SAT writing section. Note that UM participates in the scorechoice program, which means that the admissions office will consider your highest scores from each individual section across all SAT test dates. At UM, some majors require SAT Subject tests, so make sure to review the requirements for your application.

ACT Scores and Requirements

The University of Miami requires that most applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. Note that applicants to the Frost School of Music and the School of Architecture are not required to submit test scores. Applicants to the music program must complete an audition, and architecture students may submit a portfolio in lieu of test scores. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 38% of admitted students submitted ACT scores.

ACT Range (Admitted Students)
Section 25th Percentile 75th Percentile
English 29 35
Math 26 31
Composite 29 32

This admissions data tells us that most of UM's admitted students fall within the top 9% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to the University of Miami received a composite ACT score between 29 and 32, while 25% scored above 32 and 25% scored below 29.

Requirements

The University of Miami does not require the ACT writing section. Unlike many universities, UM superscores ACT results; your highest subscores from multiple ACT sittings will be considered.

GPA

In 2019, the average high school GPA of University of Miami's incoming freshmen class was 3.6, and 42% of incoming students had average GPAs of 3.75 and above. This data suggests that most successful applicants to UM have primarily A grades.

Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph

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

The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to the University of Miami. 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

The University of Miami, which accepts just over one-fourth of applicants, has a competitive admissions pool with high average GPAs and SAT/ACT scores. However, like many of the country's most selective private universities, UM 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. Students with particularly compelling stories or achievements can still receive serious consideration even if their test scores are outside of the University of Miami's average range.

In the graph above, the blue and green data points represent accepted students. You can see that most successful applicants had averages in the "A" range, SAT scores of about 1150 or higher, and ACT composite scores of 24 or higher. While some students do get in with "B" and "B+" averages, higher grades and test scores significantly improve your chances of being admitted.

Note that there are quite a few red and yellow dots (rejected and waitlisted students) hidden behind the green and blue in all but the upper right corner of the graph. Many students who had grades and test scores that were on target for the University of Miami did not get in.

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

Format
mla apa chicago
Your Citation
Grove, Allen. "University of Miami: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics." ThoughtCo, Aug. 29, 2020, thoughtco.com/university-of-miami-profile-admissions-787233. Grove, Allen. (2020, August 29). University of Miami: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/university-of-miami-profile-admissions-787233 Grove, Allen. "University of Miami: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/university-of-miami-profile-admissions-787233 (accessed March 29, 2024).