University Of Michigan-Ann Arbor combines highly selective admissions with exceptional economic mobility outcomes. As a Selective Achievers institution, the university produces strong post-graduation earnings while maintaining manageable debt levels, supporting long-term financial stability for graduates across diverse academic programs.
With excellent tier status, driven by strong long-term earnings relative to educational investment and debt levels
With above-average tier status, reflecting moderate costs and controlled debt levels
With excellent tier designation, indicating above-average enrollment of diverse student populations despite selective admissions
With exceptional tier designation, reflecting the university's ability to deliver strong economic outcomes
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Top 30 nationally for mobility outcomes
University Of Michigan-Ann Arbor ranks #29 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, with mobility performance at the 97.1st percentile and exceptional mobility tier designation. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, this large public research university maintains highly selective admission standards with a 17.9% acceptance rate, admitting roughly 1 in 6 applicants.
The institution enrolls 17.6% Pell-eligible students and 20.6% first-generation students, positioning it as a Selective Achievers institution that serves fewer low-income students while delivering strong outcomes. Graduates earn $6,138 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 77.4th percentile nationally.
Median earnings reach $83,648 ten years after enrollment, placing University Of Michigan-Ann Arbor in the 95th percentile for long-term earnings outcomes. Compared to a peer median of $60,543, graduates earn $23,105 more annually.
The university demonstrates exceptional performance across multiple dimensions, with return index ranking at the 96.6th percentile and access index at the 92.9th percentile.
University Of Michigan-Ann Arbor delivers strong earnings outcomes with manageable debt levels relative to peer institutions. Graduates earn a median of $83,648 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 95th percentile nationally.
Earnings range from $56,535 at the 25th percentile to $124,806 at the 75th percentile, reflecting diverse career paths across academic disciplines. The institution generates $6,138 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it in the 77.4th percentile nationally on this value-added measure.
Students seeking top-tier engineering, computer science, and business programs at a prestigious public research university. Well-suited for high-achieving students who can compete in highly selective admissions while still benefiting from in-state tuition rates.
The university's Selective Achievers profile reflects strong post-graduation outcomes with limited access for lower-income students.
University Of Michigan-Ann Arbor admits approximately 17.9% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 6 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places the university among highly selective institutions nationally, falling within the Highly Selective tier for admission rates between 10-25%.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% highlights the stark difference between University Of Michigan-Ann Arbor's selectivity and typical four-year institutions, with the university admitting 60.2 percentage points fewer applicants than its peer median. Even among competitive public research universities, University Of Michigan-Ann Arbor's acceptance rate represents significant selectivity that creates uncertainty even for highly qualified applicants.
The institution's selectivity reflects both its academic reputation and capacity constraints relative to application volume. Students considering University Of Michigan-Ann Arbor should recognize that strong academic credentials alone do not guarantee admission at this level of selectivity.
Most successful applicants will need backup options, as the majority of qualified candidates will not receive offers due to space limitations rather than academic deficiencies. This level of selectivity requires strategic college list building that includes institutions with higher acceptance rates but comparable academic quality and post-graduation outcomes.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University Of Michigan-Ann Arbor's published cost of attendance is $33,345 per year, including $17,228 in in-state tuition, $58,072 for out-of-state students, $13,856 for room and board, and $1,126 for books and supplies. The average student pays $14,832 after financial aid, representing savings of $18,513 from the sticker price.
This net price falls just $758 above the peer median of $15,590, indicating competitive affordability relative to similar institutions. The university's financial aid effectiveness reduces costs substantially across all income levels, with net prices ranging from $4,926 for the lowest-income students to $26,787 for families earning over $110,000.
Out-of-state families face significantly higher costs before aid, though financial assistance helps moderate the final price. The $18,513 average financial aid savings demonstrates the institution's commitment to affordability despite its selective admissions profile.
Net price competitiveness with peer institutions makes University Of Michigan-Ann Arbor accessible to families across income levels, particularly when combined with the strong post-graduation earnings outcomes that justify the educational investment.
University Of Michigan-Ann Arbor graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth throughout their early careers. Median earnings rise from $73,762 six years after enrollment to $78,273 at eight years and $83,648 at ten years, representing 13.4% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 5,087 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures across diverse academic programs. Graduates earn $6,138 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing University Of Michigan-Ann Arbor in the 77.4th percentile for earnings uplift.
This value-added performance reflects the institution's ability to enhance graduate outcomes beyond what would be predicted based on student demographics and program mix. Low-income graduates earn $75,000, demonstrating strong economic outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds.
Earnings span from $56,535 at the 25th percentile to $124,806 at the 75th percentile, reflecting differences in program choice and career trajectory. Approximately 27.2% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education pathways.
Artificial Intelligence.
930 graduates
Business Administration and Management, General.
596 graduates
Computer Engineering, General.
97 graduates
Information Science/Studies.
167 graduates
Mathematical Statistics and Probability.
72 graduates
University Of Michigan-Ann Arbor offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for ranking analysis. Artificial Intelligence ranks #5 nationally and #1 in Michigan, producing 930 graduates with median earnings of $135,625 and an exceptional value score of 98.0.
Business Administration and Management ranks #3 nationally and #1 in Michigan, graduating 596 students with median earnings of $116,095 and a value score of 99.4. Applied Economics ranks #49 nationally and #1 in Michigan, graduating 586 students with median earnings of $87,800.
Exercise Science and Kinesiology ranks #3 nationally and #1 in Michigan, with 270 graduates earning $68,944. Information Science ranks #9 nationally and #1 in Michigan, graduating 167 students with median earnings of $99,659.
Several programs hold #1 rankings within Michigan, demonstrating the university's state-level program leadership across multiple disciplines.
Consider these schools with similar outcomes but higher acceptance rates:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Kettering University Higher acceptance rate (61.2 percentage points higher) and located 51 miles away; similar graduate earnings | MI | 79% | $94,823 | Compare |
Capitol Technology University Higher acceptance rate (60 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | MD | 78% | $85,035 | Compare |
Missouri University Of Science And Technology Higher acceptance rate (55.1 percentage points higher); similar graduate earnings | MO | 73% | $82,957 | Compare |
Kettering University Same state (51 miles away) (earnings difference: 13.4%) | MI | 79% | $94,823 | Compare |
Michigan State University Same state (49 miles away) (earnings difference: 19.6%); same institution type | MI | 84% | $67,253 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
California State University-Fresno Similar quality tier (#30 ranked) | CA | 96% | $61,244 | #30 | Compare |
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This is the University Of Michigan-Ann Arbor hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor/analysis.
George Mason University Similar quality tier (#28 ranked) | VA | 89% | $76,343 | #28 | Compare |
Cuny Hunter College Similar quality tier (#26 ranked) | NY | 54% | $63,163 | #26 | Compare |
Kennesaw State University Similar quality tier (#31 ranked) | GA | 69% | $57,552 | #31 | Compare |
California State University-San Bernardino Similar quality tier (#32 ranked) | CA | 98% | $59,977 | #32 | Compare |
