UChicago vs University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (UMich)

Envision yourself as a student, standing at the crossroads of two prestigious universities: the University of Chicago and the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Both institutions offer a world-class education, but they differ in several key aspects. The University of Chicago, known for its rigorous academics and intellectual rigor, boasts a highly selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 7.4%. In contrast, the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, while still competitive, offers a slightly more accessible admissions process with an acceptance rate of 28.6%. While the University of Chicago excels in fields like economics, political science, and sociology, the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor shines in engineering, business, and nursing. Explore the comparison table below to delve deeper into the unique characteristics of each university, including student body demographics, graduation rates, and more, to help you make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	University of Chicago	University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Overview
Location	Chicago, Illinois	Ann Arbor, Michigan
Campus setting	City: Large	City: Midsize
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Public
Calendar system	Quarter	Trimester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	99.0%	97.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	6.5%	20.2%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $90	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1510 - 1580	N/A
ACT range	33 - 35	N/A
Students submitting SAT score	49.0%
Students submitting ACT score	35.0%
Total number of applicants	37,974	79,743
Total number of admissions given out	2,460	16,071
Admitted students who chose to enroll	2,053	7,290
Yield rate	83.5%	45.4%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Not required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$84,126	In state: $32,272 Out of state: $69,326
Average net price	$33,727	$19,205
Tuition	$59,256	In state: $15,850 Out of state: $52,904
Room & board	$17,685	$12,592
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	52.0% Average amount $48,412	59.0% Average amount $16,326
Students receiving federal student loan	6.0% Average amount $5,265	24.0% Average amount $5,311
Students taking out private loans	2.0% Average amount $37,860	3.0% Average amount $21,796

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	7,636 Men 52.2% Women 47.8%	32,282 Men 48.8% Women 51.2%
Graduate students	11,196 Men 55.1% Women 44.9%	17,996 Men 49.4% Women 50.6%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	N/A
International students	28.5%	15.7%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	4,584	11,629
First year students are required to live on campus?	Yes	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	N/A

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Social Sciences Mathematics and Statistics Public Administration and Social Service Computer and Information Science	Engineering Health Professions Business Public Administration and Social Service Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio	5:1	12:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	95.9%	93.7%
Dropout rate	1.7%	5.7%
Transferred out	N/A	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $181,006 Year 2: $171,510 Year 3: $219,263 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $159,677 Year 2: $159,442 Year 3: $178,485 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $93,918 Year 2: $91,211 Year 3: $142,172 Statistics (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $119,416 Year 2: $116,083 Year 3: $131,549 Computer Science (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $108,094 Year 2: $92,277 Year 3: $105,545 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $82,564 Year 2: $85,637 Year 3: $96,012 Criminal Justice and Corrections (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $99,684 Year 2: $84,653 Year 3: $91,550 Public Policy Analysis (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $71,121 Year 2: $70,083 Year 3: $82,672 Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $81,753 Year 2: $72,022 Year 3: $81,130 Public Policy Analysis (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $51,165 Year 2: $52,663 Year 3: $73,510	Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $185,139 Year 2: $178,741 Year 3: $197,723 Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $209,842 Year 2: $168,125 Year 3: $177,935 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $146,285 Year 2: $139,927 Year 3: $151,208 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $139,794 Year 2: $140,166 Year 3: $148,785 Dentistry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $118,208 Year 2: $112,215 Year 3: $137,273 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $78,398 Year 2: $97,071 Year 3: $123,926 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $100,643 Year 2: $94,281 Year 3: $117,745 Systems Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $102,847 Year 2: $116,354 Year 3: $116,465 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $96,171 Year 2: $99,772 Year 3: $107,831 Engineering, Other (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $91,194 Year 2: $84,653 Year 3: $101,999

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences in academic focus between the University of Chicago and the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor?

The University of Chicago is renowned for its rigorous, interdisciplinary Core Curriculum and its emphasis on theoretical and research-oriented learning across all disciplines. It fosters a culture of intellectual exploration and critical thinking. The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, while also academically strong, offers a broader range of programs and a more practical, career-oriented approach in many fields, particularly within its professional schools like engineering, business, and medicine. Michigan also has a stronger emphasis on undergraduate research opportunities across a wider array of departments.
How do the campus cultures compare?

The University of Chicago is often described as having a more intense and intellectually focused campus culture. Students are highly engaged in academic discussions and debates. The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor offers a more traditional, spirited college experience with a greater emphasis on school spirit, athletics, and a vibrant social scene. Michigan's larger student body contributes to a more diverse range of extracurricular activities and social groups.
What are the differences in location and surrounding environment?

The University of Chicago is located in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago, a major metropolitan city. This provides students with access to a wealth of cultural, professional, and recreational opportunities. The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is situated in Ann Arbor, a smaller, quintessential college town. Ann Arbor offers a more self-contained and community-oriented environment, with a strong focus on student life.
How do the costs of attendance compare?

Generally, the cost of attendance at both institutions is high, but they are relatively comparable. Tuition, fees, and living expenses are significant at both universities. It's important to check the most recent figures on each university's website for the most accurate and up-to-date information. Both universities offer financial aid and scholarships, so exploring those options is crucial.
What are the strengths of each university in terms of specific academic programs?

The University of Chicago is particularly strong in economics, law, history, sociology, and physics. Its Booth School of Business is highly regarded. The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor excels in engineering, business (Ross School of Business), law, medicine, and public health. Michigan also has outstanding programs in performing arts and music.
What is the size of the student body at each university?

The University of Chicago has a smaller student body, particularly at the undergraduate level, fostering a more intimate learning environment. The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor has a significantly larger student body, offering a more diverse and expansive campus experience.
How do the admission rates compare between the University of Chicago and the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor?

The University of Chicago generally has a lower acceptance rate than the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, making it more selective. Both universities are highly competitive, but Chicago's smaller size and intense academic focus contribute to its lower acceptance rate.
What are the career prospects like for graduates of each university?

Graduates from both the University of Chicago and the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor enjoy excellent career prospects. The University of Chicago's strong reputation and rigorous academics open doors to top positions in academia, research, finance, and consulting. The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor's broad range of programs and strong alumni network provide graduates with opportunities in various industries, including engineering, technology, healthcare, and business.
What are the research opportunities like at each university?

Both universities offer extensive research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. The University of Chicago emphasizes theoretical and fundamental research, while the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor provides a wider range of research opportunities, including applied and translational research, particularly within its professional schools.
How does the alumni network compare between the two universities?

Both universities boast strong and influential alumni networks. The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor's larger alumni base provides a broader network across various industries and geographic locations. The University of Chicago's alumni network, while smaller, is highly influential in specific fields, particularly in academia, law, and finance. Both networks offer valuable resources for career development and networking.

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