University of Michigan (UMich) Out-of-State Acceptance Rate

Since its founding in 1817, the University of Michigan has made a name for itself, establishing a reputation as one of the leading universities in the country.

Taking its place among the oldest research universities in the country, the University of Michigan perfectly blends the progressive with the traditional. 

Even today, the diverse student body– made up of some of the most brilliant minds in the nation– enjoys honoring traditions dating back through American history.

Students who value their grade point average actively avoid stepping on the “M” in the Diag, knowing the rumors of curses that follow students who do. 

According to legend, those who trod on the “M” are destined to fail their first written exam!

When touring the campus, students may notice a giant, colorfully painted rock sitting in the corner of Washtenaw and Hill. Originally meant as a memorial to George Washington, painting this rock has since become a storied part of the University of Michigan’s traditions.

On football Saturdays, fans from all over the state venture onto the Ann Arbor campus, ready to cheer the Wolverines to victory. There must be power in the University of Michigan fandom; to date, this  team leads the NCAA with the highest number of total wins in the league. 

Since winning the Rose Bowl in 1902, the University of Michigan has cultivated a powerful team. From 1968 to 2007, they celebrated forty consecutive winning seasons, an astonishing record that even non-football fans can appreciate.

With so much to brag about, it’s no wonder that so many prospective students from all over the nation complete the application process, hopeful of joining the historic ranks of this fantastic university.

Read on to learn more about the University of Michigan out-of-state acceptance rate, as well as other tips and tricks to gain acceptance into one of the nation’s most prestigious colleges!


University of Michigan Out-of-State Acceptance Rate

University of Michigan
Astrophobe, Dana front, CC BY-SA 4.0

The University of Michigan’s Out-of-State Acceptance Rate is about 22%

Though the overall acceptance rate of all applicants– both in and out of state– for this university hovers between eighteen and twenty-two percent, a recent study of the 2020 student body revealed much about the process that goes into student acceptance. 

The largest takeaway of this study? Applicants from out of state face a far greater level of competition regarding acceptance into the University of Michigan.

In 2020, 47.5 percent of the 10,606 native Michigan applicants were granted enrollment. Those students who eagerly accepted the chance made up around seventy percent of the student body that year.

By comparison, the remaining thirty percent of students who accepted enrollment were made of both international students and those applying from other states.

Though well over 54,000 men and women applied from out-of-state that very same year, only twenty-one percent received that much-longed-for acceptance letter.

According to a member of the acceptance committee, out-of-state applicants are expected to see even more competition over the next few years. 

As economic difficulties related to the Covid-19 pandemic shake the country, more students than ever are choosing to accept college opportunities available in the state, allowing them to live at home a bit longer and save on fees.

Though this news may seem disheartening to hopeful young out-of-state applicants, there is still much to be excited for! With this university’s prestigious academic reputation, the anxiety that comes with applying is far less than the joy surrounding potential acceptance.

According to the famed US News and World Report, the University of Michigan is among the best in the nation, currently ranked 25th for its overall academic program, with an even more outstanding reputation for its rigorous undergraduate program. 


University of Michigan Out-of-State Tuition 

Depending on the student’s placement in their academic program, the University of Michigan’s out-of-state tuition is between $55,334 and $59,212. 

Freshmen and sophomores attending this university from out-of-state should expect to pay $55,334 for basic tuition, though there are other expenses involved. 

The housing and meal plan– a typical expectation for incoming out-of-state students– stands at a total of $13,170, and students should also expect to pay just under $4,000 for their books and other related fees.

In total, the University of Michigan suggests budging a total of $72,153 for each of the first two years of attendance. Juniors and seniors face a slightly elevated fee.

The basic tuition for the junior and senior years at this university runs around $59,212. Though it is far more common to live off campus during this phase of education, students who choose to live on campus must also pay the expected $13,170 for food and board.

With these slightly higher costs, The University of Michigan suggests that out-of-state upperclassmen students living on campus should budget just over $76,000 per year. 

There is simply no getting around the fact that college can be an expensive undertaking, and choosing to attend a college out-of-state is even more so. 

Luckily, the University of Michigan offers an assortment of different scholarships, aids, adn grants to lighten this financial burden.

Currently, two out of every three freshmen on campus benefit from a form of financial aid. Money.com even ranks this the number one best public college, praising their dedication to helping every student achieve the education of their dreams!

Through assistance at the University of Michigan Employment Office, students can apply for a chance to join their work-study program. In doing so, they can contribute to making this esteemed university an even better place while also reducing their own fees and earning a paycheck!


UMich Requirements and Tips for Out-of-State Students

University of Michigan Campus
Natecation, University of Michigan North Campus, CC BY-SA 4.0

Because the competition for acceptance into this university is even higher for out-of-state students, it’s vital to have a thorough understanding of all the UMich requirements before starting the process.

After completing the common application and paying the seventy-five dollar processing fee, applicants should be ready to present their academic records. This involves the typical high school and potential college transcripts, as well as a school report.

Though SAT, ACT, and other standardized test scores are not a requirement of this application process, high scores can be incredibly helpful in showcasing a student’s skills. 

The average student at this university boasts a composite SAT score of 1435; additionally, the average ACT score stands at an impressive 33. 

Finally, each student must submit a teacher recommendation letter. This letter– a vital step in introducing each applicant to the admissions committee– must come from a core academic teacher who is in no way related to the potential student in question.

The best way for out-of-state students to up their own chances of acceptance is to polish up the best resume possible, taking into account all the qualities that this university values most in it’s incoming student body.

Because this university takes such pride in cultivating a sense of true community, it can be helpful for students to attend all possible college fairs, games, or public events prior to attendance. During the written portion of the common application process, such students should always mention their dedication to adding to the overall campus culture. 


Is UMich Right For You?

Though the process of applying for enrollment may seem daunting– especially for an out-of-state application– the potential rewards of joining this historic university far outweigh the risks. 

This stunning campus holds more than just a good time; through its rigorous academic and athletic programs, it has helped famed alumni from all over the country reach their highest potential.

Tom Brady may have been born in California, but he grew into the household name he is today right on the University of Michigan’s campus. He first led the UMich football team into victory at the Orange Bowl in 2000 before being drafted into the NFL, furthering his career to become one of the best players in the nation.

Similarly, famed writer Jessamyn Ward began her career as just another out-of-state applicant. After receiving her education, she put her Southern American experiences to work as she wrote her first novel, The Men We Reaped, a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award.

Before serving as the director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, Cecilia Munoz got her educational start at the University of Michigan, leaving her hometown of Detroit, Michigan for a chance at a world-class education.

Originally from Vancouver, Claudia Alexander chose to further her education at UMich, later taking that experience out of this world! She joined NASA as a project manager and used her experiences on the Galileo mission to Jupiter. 

Just a few of this proud university’s hundreds of notable alumni, these great names all started the exact same way: by taking the risk of leaving their hometowns for the opportunities they knew awaited at the University of Michigan.