Rochester vs University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (UMich)

When it comes to higher education, University of Rochester and University of Michigan-Ann Arbor stand out as two exceptional institutions with distinct offerings. With an acceptance rate of 32%, Rochester fosters a selective academic environment, while Michigan's 29% acceptance rate reflects its commitment to enrolling a diverse student body. Rochester's strength lies in its highly regarded programs in the sciences, engineering, and business, while Michigan excels in a broader range of disciplines, including engineering, medicine, and the humanities. Both universities boast impressive graduation rates, with Rochester at 88% and Michigan at 87%, indicating their dedication to student success. Delve into the comprehensive comparison table to discover more about these esteemed universities and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	University of Michigan-Ann Arbor	University of Rochester
Overview
Location	Ann Arbor, Michigan	Rochester, New York
Campus setting	City: Midsize	City: Midsize
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Trimester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	97.0%	91.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	20.2%	40.5%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $75	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $50
SAT range	N/A	1370 - 1520
ACT range	N/A	31 - 35
Students submitting SAT score		22.0%
Students submitting ACT score		7.0%
Total number of applicants	79,743	19,543
Total number of admissions given out	16,071	7,924
Admitted students who chose to enroll	7,290	1,623
Yield rate	45.4%	20.5%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Not 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	In state: $32,272 Out of state: $69,326	$79,456
Average net price	$19,205	$40,125
Tuition	In state: $15,850 Out of state: $52,904	$58,276
Room & board	$12,592	Room/dormitory: $10,692 Meal plan: $6,696
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	59.0% Average amount $16,326	75.0% Average amount $37,870
Students receiving federal student loan	24.0% Average amount $5,311	37.0% Average amount $4,351
Students taking out private loans	3.0% Average amount $21,796	7.0% Average amount $22,054

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	32,282 Men 48.8% Women 51.2%	6,568 Men 48.0% Women 52.0%
Graduate students	17,996 Men 49.4% Women 50.6%	5,471 Men 44.9% Women 55.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	N/A
International students	15.7%	30.7%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	11,629	1,350
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	Yes
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	N/A

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Health Professions Business Public Administration and Social Service Computer and Information Science	Business Health Professions Engineering Education Physical Science
Students to faculty ratio	12:1	10:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	93.7%	85.9%
Dropout rate	5.7%	4.2%
Transferred out	N/A	8.8%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	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	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $91,070 Year 2: $89,524 Year 3: $104,615 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $84,531 Year 2: $83,177 Year 3: $104,384 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $96,464 Year 2: $95,073 Year 3: $92,400 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $73,860 Year 2: $83,546 Year 3: $90,745 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,134 Year 2: $73,321 Year 3: $87,028 Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $63,597 Year 2: $82,440 Year 3: $83,153 Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $55,852 Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $75,215 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,873 Year 2: $57,705 Year 3: $73,661 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $65,906 Year 2: $61,516 Year 3: $72,841 Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $56,595 Year 2: $52,941 Year 3: $70,372

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The University of Rochester is particularly strong in music (Eastman School of Music), optics, and medical sciences. It emphasizes a strong liberal arts foundation with a focus on interdisciplinary studies. The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, on the other hand, boasts a broader range of highly-ranked programs, excelling in engineering, business, law, medicine, and the arts. Michigan is known for its large-scale research initiatives and a more traditional, comprehensive university experience.
How does the size and campus environment differ between the two universities?

The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is significantly larger, with a much bigger student body and a more expansive campus. This translates to a wider variety of student organizations, social events, and a more diverse student population. The University of Rochester is smaller and offers a more intimate campus environment, fostering closer relationships between students and faculty. Rochester's campus is also more self-contained, while Michigan's campus integrates more with the city of Ann Arbor.
What are the strengths of the University of Rochester's undergraduate programs?

The University of Rochester is renowned for its strong undergraduate programs in music (through the Eastman School of Music), optics, and biomedical engineering. It also offers a flexible curriculum that allows students to explore multiple interests and pursue double majors or interdisciplinary studies. The university's emphasis on research opportunities for undergraduates is another significant strength.
What are the strengths of the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor's undergraduate programs?

The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor excels in a wide array of undergraduate programs, including engineering, business (Ross School of Business), law, medicine, and the arts. Its programs are highly ranked nationally. Michigan also provides extensive research opportunities, a vibrant campus life, and a strong alumni network, offering students a wealth of resources and experiences.
How does the cost of attendance compare between the two universities?

Both the University of Rochester and the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor have competitive tuition rates. However, the specific cost can vary depending on residency status (in-state vs. out-of-state for Michigan) and financial aid packages. It's recommended to check the official university websites for the most up-to-date tuition and fee information and to explore financial aid options, including scholarships and grants, to determine the net cost of attendance.
What are the career services and opportunities like at each university?

Both universities offer robust career services. The University of Rochester provides career counseling, internship opportunities, and networking events, with a particular focus on fields related to its academic strengths. The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor has a vast career network, connecting students with employers across various industries. Its large alumni network and strong reputation contribute to excellent career prospects for graduates.
How does campus life and student activities differ?

The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor offers a very active and diverse campus life, with a wide range of student organizations, sports teams (especially in football), and social events. The size of the university allows for a greater variety of activities and a more bustling atmosphere. The University of Rochester, while smaller, still provides a vibrant campus life with numerous clubs, organizations, and social events. The smaller size can foster a stronger sense of community and easier access to leadership opportunities.
Which university is better for research opportunities?

Both universities offer significant research opportunities. The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, being a larger research institution, generally has a broader scope of research projects and more extensive research facilities. The University of Rochester also provides excellent research opportunities, particularly in its areas of strength like optics and biomedical engineering, and often offers more personalized research experiences for undergraduates due to its smaller size.
How does the location of each university impact the student experience?

The University of Rochester is located in Rochester, New York, a city with a moderate cost of living and access to cultural attractions. The campus is relatively self-contained. The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan, a vibrant college town with a lively atmosphere, a strong arts scene, and a diverse range of restaurants and shops. Ann Arbor offers a more integrated urban experience.
What are the admission requirements and selectivity of each university?

Both the University of Rochester and the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor are highly selective institutions. Admission requirements typically include a strong academic record, standardized test scores (though test-optional policies may be in place), letters of recommendation, and a personal essay. The specific requirements and selectivity rates can vary from year to year, so it's essential to consult the official admissions websites for the most current information.

Compare Similar Colleges

The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page. There, you can search for the specific colleges and initiate your comparison.