How to Get Into the University of Michigan: 16.1% Acceptance Rate (Fall 2026), Early Decision and Fall 2027 Deadlines
By Rona Aydin
What is the University of Michigan acceptance rate?
The University of Michigan Office of Budget and Planning publishes a first-year class profile with the newest counts. The fall 2025 figures match the Common Data Set 2025-2026.
| Entering class | Applied | Offered admission | Acceptance rate | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class of 2030 (fall 2026) | 108,774 | 17,495 | 16.1% | 8,659 |
| Class of 2029 (fall 2025) | 109,112 | 17,915 | 16.4% | 8,178 |
Michigan does not report applicants or admits by residency: the Common Data Set leaves those columns blank. The class profile does report where enrolled students come from. Of the 8,659 first-year students who enrolled in fall 2026, 4,436 were in-state and 4,223 out-of-state, so 51.2% were Michigan residents by our calculation (University of Michigan first-year class profile). Our analysis of out-of-state acceptance rates explains why enrollment shares are not admit rates.
For fall 2025, the Common Data Set also shows 24,447 applicants offered a waitlist place, 18,435 accepting one and 1,663 admitted from it, or 9.0% of those who accepted a place, by our calculation (University of Michigan Common Data Set 2025-2026). Our Michigan acceptance rate analysis and our guide to the Michigan waitlist cover the trend and the waitlist.
How does Michigan Early Decision work?
Michigan added a binding Early Decision plan for students entering in the 2026-27 academic year; The University Record called it “a new, binding program” (The University Record, July 9, 2025), and the Common Data Set for fall 2025 reports no Early Decision plan (University of Michigan Common Data Set 2025-2026). Michigan now describes three plans and says, “No matter which plan you choose, your application will receive the same rigorous, holistic review.” Under Early Decision, “The applicant, a parent or guardian, and the high school counselor must sign the Early Decision Agreement,” and admitted students “must immediately withdraw applications to all other colleges and universities.” Early Decision applicants may be admitted, denied or postponed to Early Action or Regular Decision, and postponed students “are no longer bound to attend U-M if they are later admitted” (University of Michigan, first-year application plans).
Michigan’s plans page says that “13 percent of Early Decision applicants for fall 2025 were admitted during the initial Early Decision binding decision release in December 2025.” The December 2025 release was for students entering in fall 2026, so by our reading the page’s “fall 2025” label refers to that first round. The figure covers only the December release, not postponed applicants admitted later, and we have not found the counts behind it on Michigan’s pages (University of Michigan, first-year application plans). In our view, Early Decision at Michigan makes sense only for a student certain that Michigan, and one specific school within it, is the first choice. Students interested in traditional dual-degree or preferred admission programs must apply Early Action or Regular Decision, though the Integrated Business and Engineering dual degree is available in Early Decision.
When are the University of Michigan deadlines for fall 2027?
| Item | Early Decision | Early Action | Regular Decision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application deadline | November 1, 2026 | November 1, 2026 | February 1, 2027 |
| Financial aid | Deadline November 15, 2026 | Suggested December 15, 2026; deadline March 1, 2027 | Suggested December 15, 2026; deadline March 1, 2027 |
| Admission decision | By December 24, 2026 | By January 29, 2027 | By April 2, 2027 |
| Commitment date | January 6, 2027 | May 1, 2027 | May 1, 2027 |
“Programs in the School of Music, Theatre & Dance (SMTD) are available only through Regular Decision and have a unique Dec. 1 application deadline.” Michigan also states that “Applicants are not required to apply for financial aid, and financial aid is not factored into admissions decisions” (University of Michigan, first-year application plans).
Does the University of Michigan require the SAT or ACT?
No. Michigan states: “Continuing for the 2027 application cycle, U-M will be test-optional” (University of Michigan, application changes). In the Common Data Set 2025-2026, 55% of enrolled first-year students (fall 2025 entrants) submitted the SAT (4,503 students), with a middle 50% range of 1370 to 1530 and a median of 1470, and 18% submitted the ACT (1,462 students), with a middle 50% range of 32 to 34 (University of Michigan Common Data Set 2025-2026). In our view, a score at or above the median is usually worth sending. Our page on whether Michigan requires the SAT covers the policy in more detail.
What does the University of Michigan look for in applicants?
In its Common Data Set 2025-2026, which covers fall 2025 entrants, Michigan rates the rigor of the secondary school record and academic GPA as very important; standardized test scores, the application essay, recommendations, character and first-generation status as important; and extracurricular activities, talent, geographic and state residency, volunteer work, work experience and the level of applicant interest as considered. Class rank, the interview, alumni relation and religious affiliation are not considered. The Common Data Set adds that some Music, Theatre and Dance and some Engineering applicants may be interviewed, and that a portfolio is required for Art, Architecture and the Ross School of Business (University of Michigan Common Data Set 2025-2026).
Michigan also states that legacy status is not considered in its undergraduate holistic review (University of Michigan, selection process). Its own selection page lists class rank, where available, among the academic factors it reviews, even though the Common Data Set marks class rank as not considered.
What are the University of Michigan supplemental essays?
Michigan asks two required questions in addition to the Common Application essay (University of Michigan, essay questions). The first, with a “100 word minimum; 300 word maximum,” asks how the applicant is prepared to contribute to Michigan’s goal of developing leaders and citizens. The second, with a “100 word minimum; 550 word maximum,” reads: “Describe the unique qualities that attract you to the specific undergraduate college or school (including preferred admission and dual degree programs) to which you are applying at the University of Michigan.” It then asks how that curriculum would support the student’s interests.
In our experience, the second essay deserves the most revision time, because it must show that the student understands the specific school applied to. Our Michigan supplemental essay guide covers both prompts.
Which Michigan schools have extra steps or recent changes?
Michigan applicants apply to a specific school or college, and several schools changed their options for the 2027 cycle. Michigan states that “The advance selection process for computer science within the College of Engineering and the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts has been removed,” that “The Ross preferred admission option through the College of Engineering has been sunset,” and that students “will now have the option to apply to the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning for Early Action admission.” It also lists “The School of Public Health will be introduced as a preferred admission option” through LSA, and says that “Marsal Family School of Education applicants will submit an asynchronous video interview” for its two programs (University of Michigan, application changes). Other schools have standing extra steps: a portfolio for Art, Architecture and the Ross School of Business, and a December 1 deadline for Music, Theatre and Dance.
Our guides to getting into Michigan Ross, getting into Michigan Engineering and getting into Michigan Nursing cover three of the schools.
How does financial aid work at the University of Michigan?
For Michigan residents, the Go Blue Guarantee offers free tuition to “qualified high-achieving, in-state, full-time undergraduate students” from families with incomes of $125,000 and under and assets below $125,000 (Go Blue Guarantee). Michigan says the guarantee “covers undergraduate tuition and mandatory university fees,” that students must apply for aid by November 15 for Early Decision or March 1 for Early Action and Regular Decision, and that “U-M is the only public university in Michigan that covers 100 percent of demonstrated financial need of eligible Michigan residents” (University of Michigan, Michigan residents).
Michigan makes no comparable full-need statement for out-of-state students on the pages we read, and “International students on temporary visas are not eligible for financial aid, and are expected to pay the full cost of attendance” (University of Michigan, financial aid). Our guide to whether an out-of-state flagship is worth it covers the cost question for families outside Michigan.
What does the Michigan acceptance rate mean for applicants?
In the view of Oriel Admissions, Michigan is a reach for most applicants at about 16%, and the school chosen inside Michigan matters as much as the overall rate, because essays, portfolios and Early Decision eligibility all depend on it. Families comparing options can read our overview of what Michigan is known for.
Frequently Asked Questions About Getting Into the University of Michigan
For fall 2026, Michigan offered admission to 17,495 of 108,774 first-year applicants, 16.1% by our calculation from its official class profile. For fall 2025 the rate was 16.4%.
Michigan does not publish admit rates by residency. Of the students who enrolled in fall 2026, 51.2% were Michigan residents by our calculation, but enrollment shares are not admit rates.
Yes. Early Decision is binding and requires an agreement signed by the student, a parent or guardian and the counselor. Students postponed to Early Action or Regular Decision are released from the commitment.
The Michigan plans page says 13 percent of Early Decision applicants were admitted in the initial December 2025 release. The page labels this fall 2025, but by our reading these students entered in fall 2026. The figure excludes postponed applicants admitted later.
Early Decision and Early Action applications are due November 1, 2026 and Regular Decision applications February 1, 2027. Music, Theatre and Dance applicants apply Regular Decision only, by December 1, 2026.
Yes. Michigan says it will remain test optional for the 2027 application cycle. Among fall 2025 enrolled students, 55% submitted the SAT, with a middle 50% range of 1370 to 1530.
No. Michigan states that legacy status is not considered in its undergraduate holistic review, and its Common Data Set lists alumni relation as not considered.
It offers free tuition for up to four years to qualified high-achieving, in-state, full-time undergraduates from families with incomes of $125,000 and under and assets below $125,000. In the view of Oriel Admissions, families should apply for aid by the deadline for their plan.
Sources: University of Michigan first-year class profile, September 29, 2026, University of Michigan Common Data Set 2025-2026, University of Michigan, first-year application plans, University of Michigan, application changes, University of Michigan, essay questions, University of Michigan, selection process, University of Michigan, Michigan residents, University of Michigan, financial aid, Go Blue Guarantee, The University Record, July 9, 2025. All read October 26, 2026.
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