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Meta title: University of Michigan: Admission and Costs 2027 | StudyU
Meta description: University of Michigan for international students: no aid, $88,394 LSA budget for 2026–27, Nov 1 ED and EA, Feb 1 RD, test-optional, 16.4% admit rate.
Last modified: 2026-09-30

# University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

The University of Michigan is a large public research university in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It is 51st in the QS World University Rankings 2027, 23rd in the THE World University Rankings 2027 and 35th in ARWU 2026. The key fact for international applicants: Michigan does not offer financial aid to students on temporary visas, and scholarships are generally unavailable, so families must cover the full budget — $88,394 a year for lower-division students in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) in 2026–27. For fall 2027 entry Michigan has introduced binding Early Decision (November 1, 2026) alongside non-binding Early Action (same date) and Regular Decision (February 1, 2027). The SAT and ACT are optional this cycle.

The Law Quadrangle of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Photo: w_lemay / [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Law_Quadrangle,_University_of_Michigan,_University_Avenue_and_State_Street,_Ann_Arbor,_MI.jpg), [CC BY-SA 2.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0).

Do not confuse the University of Michigan with Michigan State University or Michigan Technological University, which are separate institutions. The university also has campuses in Dearborn and Flint; this profile covers the flagship Ann Arbor campus.

| At a glance | Details |
| --- | --- |
| Location | Ann Arbor, Michigan |
| Type | public |
| Students (fall 2025) | 53,488, including 35,358 undergraduates |
| Programs | 280+ undergraduate degree programs |
| Rankings | QS 2027: 51; THE 2027: 23; ARWU 2026: 35 |
| Application | Common App, $75 fee |
| Fall 2027 deadlines | Early Decision and Early Action: November 1, 2026; Regular Decision: February 1, 2027 |
| SAT/ACT | optional for the 2027 cycle |
| English | TOEFL iBT in the 5–6 range (new scale); IELTS around 7.0 with 6.5+ sections |
| Cost 2026–27 (LSA, nonresident) | $88,394 lower division; $93,096 upper division |
| Aid for international students | none |
| Admit rate (fall 2025) | 16.4%: 17,915 admits from 109,112 applications |

## Is Michigan right for you? {#section-1}

| Strengths | Limitations |
| --- | --- |
| Breadth: 280+ undergraduate programs across schools from liberal arts to engineering, business, architecture and music | No financial aid for international students on temporary visas and almost no scholarships |
| Test-optional, with no penalty for applying without scores | The nonresident budget is close to private-university levels |
| Three application plans, including non-binding Early Action with decisions by January 29 | The new Early Decision plan is binding, and confusing it with Early Action is costly |
| From fall 2027, LSA first-semester grades appear as pass/no credit on external transcripts | Upper-division tuition in LSA is higher than lower-division tuition |
| A classic college town with international students from 130+ countries | One teacher recommendation and two Michigan essays must carry a lot of weight |

Michigan fits students who can fund every year of study, or who have outside funding, and who want a big university with many schools to choose from. On a limited budget, compare it with private universities that aid international students, such as [Northwestern](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-northwestern) or [Johns Hopkins](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-johns-hopkins), and with public [Georgia Tech](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-georgia-tech), whose international budget is much lower.

## Schools and majors {#section-2}

You apply to a specific school or college, and one of Michigan's essays asks why you chose it. The main undergraduate college is LSA, whose figures are used for the standard budget. Undergraduates are also admitted to the College of Engineering, the Ross School of Business, Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, the Stamps School of Art & Design, the School of Music, Theatre & Dance (SMTD), the Marsal Family School of Education and others. Some require extra materials: portfolios for Taubman (architecture majors) and Stamps, and auditions plus a December 1 deadline for SMTD.

Changes for fall 2027 applicants:

- LSA: first-semester grades for first-year students will be recorded as pass or no credit on external transcripts and excluded from GPA, although students still receive grades and feedback.
- Computer science: the separate advance selection process in Engineering and LSA has been removed.
- Business: the Ross preferred-admission option through Engineering has ended; Integrated Business and Engineering (IBEM) applicants can ask to be considered for Ross or Engineering if not selected for IBEM.
- Public health: a new preferred-admission path starts in LSA and moves into the School of Public Health for junior and senior years.
- Architecture: Taubman now accepts Early Action applications.

## How to apply {#section-3}

International applicants follow the same process as US applicants, with two differences: the English test and transcript rules that vary by country.

### Materials

- Common App and the $75 fee. International students are not typically eligible for fee waivers.
- Common App essay of 250–650 words.
- Two Michigan essays. The first (100–300 words) asks how you are prepared to contribute to Michigan's goal of developing leaders and citizens. The second (100–550 words) asks what attracts you to the specific school or college and how its curriculum supports your interests.
- School Report and one teacher evaluation from a core academic teacher; a counselor recommendation is encouraged but not required.
- Transcript with an official English translation if your school does not issue it in English. Michigan publishes transcript requirements by country.
- English test results if English is your second language.

For Early Decision, the applicant, a parent or guardian and the counselor sign the Early Decision Agreement, with all three signatures on the same version, either online or printed. Michigan asks applicants not to send documents it has not requested, because they only delay decisions.

### Testing is optional

Michigan remains test-optional for the 2027 cycle and says it will review the policy on an ongoing basis. To have scores considered in Early Decision or Early Action, say so on the application and self-report them by November 1. If you answer "no", your early application is reviewed without scores even if you send them later. AP, IB and predicted international results are considered in context either way. Michigan superscores. The middle SAT range of enrolled students in fall 2025 was 1370–1530, and the ACT range was 32–34. See our [SAT or ACT](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-sat-or-act) guide.

### English proficiency

| Test | Expected range |
| --- | --- |
| TOEFL iBT from January 21, 2026 | 5–6, sections 5+ (CEFR C1) |
| TOEFL iBT before 2026 | around 100; Listening and Reading 23+, Speaking and Writing 21+ |
| IELTS | around 7.0, sections 6.5+ |
| PTE Academic | 68, with all sections equally strong |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency | 185, no section below 180 |
| MET | 64, sections 59+ |

You may be exempt if your SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score is 650+ or both ACT Reading and English scores are 27+, and you have recently completed at least four years of study in one of the English-speaking countries Michigan lists. For students from Russian or Kazakh schools, that exemption usually does not apply. Duolingo is not on Michigan's list.

## Fall 2027 deadlines {#section-4}

|  | Early Decision | Early Action | Regular Decision |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Application | November 1, 2026 | November 1, 2026 | February 1, 2027 |
| Self-reported test scores | November 1, 2026 | November 1, 2026 | February 1, 2027 |
| Decision | by December 24, 2026 | by January 29, 2027 | by April 2, 2027 |
| Commitment | enroll if admitted | none; reply by May 1 | none; reply by May 1 |

The financial aid deadlines (November 15 for ED, March 1 for others) do not matter for international students, who cannot receive aid. Michigan's Early Decision is new and binding; Early Action is not. If you need to compare offers, choose Early Action. The School of Music, Theatre & Dance has its own December 1 deadline.

A year-long plan:

1. By September 2026: take an English test and decide whether to submit the SAT or ACT.
2. September–October: write the Common App essay and both Michigan essays; arrange a teacher recommendation and a translated transcript.
3. By November 1: submit your ED or EA application, with any scores you want considered.
4. By December 24 or January 29: receive your decision.
5. After admission: complete the Financial Resources Statement for Form I-20, apply for housing and obtain the F-1 visa.

## Applications and places {#section-5}

According to the Common Data Set 2025–26, Michigan received 109,112 first-year applications, admitted 17,915 (16.4%) and enrolled 8,178. The report gives no separate figures for international applicants. At Georgia Tech, which does publish them, the international admit rate is noticeably lower than the overall rate, so do not read Michigan's average as your own odds.

## Cost of attendance 2026–27 {#section-6}

| LSA, nonresident | Lower division (0–54 credits) | Upper division (55+ credits) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tuition and fees | $67,096 | $71,798 |
| Living expenses (unlimited meal plan) | $17,220 | $17,220 |
| Books and supplies | $1,220 | $1,220 |
| Transportation | $400 | $400 |
| Personal expenses | $2,458 | $2,458 |
| Total | $88,394 | $93,096 |

International students pay the nonresident rate, the same as students from other US states. Tuition in other schools can be higher or lower than in LSA; the Registrar publishes current rates. For comparison, the Rackham Graduate School nonresident budget is $94,852, including $63,604 tuition and fees. Add flights and visa costs yourself. See our guide to the [cost of studying in the USA](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-the-usa).

## Financial aid: what international students can expect {#section-7}

Michigan states that international students on temporary visas are not eligible for financial aid and should expect to pay the full cost of attendance, with scholarships generally unavailable. Its Common Data Set 2025–26 reports no institutional grant aid for international undergraduates.

What remains:

- outside funding from foundations, employers or home-country programs;
- private loans from US lenders with a US co-signer; the university lists such programs without endorsing them;
- a short-term university loan for emergencies;
- athletic scholarships through the Athletic Department.

If you cannot document funding for every year, add universities that support international students to your list; our guide to [financial aid for international students in the USA](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-financial-aid-for-international-students-usa) explains how to find them. For legal payment routes from Russia, see [how to pay for studies abroad from Russia](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-how-to-pay-for-studies-abroad-from-russia).

## Housing {#section-8}

The first-year housing application opens once you pay your enrollment deposit. In 2026 it ran from April 2 to May 11; everyone who applied by the deadline could live on Central Campus if they wished, and later applications were placed first come, first served. No housing deposit is required. Students can choose a room themselves or let Michigan Housing assign one. For renting in later years, see our guide to [student housing in the USA](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-housing-usa).

## F-1 visa and work {#section-9}

Once admitted and committed, you complete the Financial Resources Statement; Michigan sends Form I-20 only after it receives proof of full funding. Then come the $350 SEVIS fee, the $185 visa fee and the interview; the fees are as of September 30, 2026, so confirm them on the embassy site before paying. The US Embassy in Moscow no longer issues routine visas, so Russian citizens apply in Warsaw or Astana, with social media profiles set to public. The consulate decides on the visa. Our [F-1 visa guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-f1-student-visa-usa) and our guide to [working while studying and OPT](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-working-while-studying-and-opt-usa) cover the details.

## For applicants from Russia and Kazakhstan {#section-10}

- Get the name right. The University of Michigan is in Ann Arbor; Michigan State and Michigan Tech are different universities.
- ED or EA. Without university aid, non-binding Early Action usually makes more sense because it leaves time to compare budgets.
- The English test is required. The SAT or ACT exemption applies only after four years of study in a listed English-speaking country.
- Translations. Transcripts in Russian or Kazakh need an official English translation.
- Prepare proof of funds early: four years in LSA come to more than $360,000 at current rates.

School and program selection, the two Michigan essays, a testing plan and financial and visa documents are provided under an agreement with StudyU. The University of Michigan decides on admission, and the US consulate decides on the visa.

## Mistakes to avoid {#section-11}

- Choosing Early Decision by accident. It is binding; tick Early Action if you want options.
- Answering "no" to the testing question and sending scores later. They will not count in the early round.
- Assuming aid will appear. International students receive none, and the I-20 requires proof of the full budget.
- Sending extra documents. Michigan asks for requested materials only.
- Writing a generic "why Michigan" essay. The second essay must explain your choice of a specific school or college.
- Mixing up Ann Arbor with Dearborn or Flint. They are separate campuses with separate admissions.

## Rankings {#section-12}

| Ranking | Position |
| --- | --- |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 51 |
| THE World University Rankings 2027 | 23 |
| ARWU 2026 | 35 |

On research-heavy tables such as THE and ARWU, Michigan sits in the 20s and 30s worldwide; QS gives significant weight to reputation surveys and places it lower.

## FAQ {#section-13}

### Where is the University of Michigan located?

The flagship campus is in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The university also has campuses in Dearborn and Flint, which admit students separately.

### How much does the University of Michigan cost for international students?

For 2026–27, the LSA nonresident budget is $88,394 in lower division and $93,096 in upper division. Other schools may cost more or less, and flights and visa costs are extra.

### Does the University of Michigan give scholarships to international students?

International students on temporary visas are not eligible for university financial aid, and scholarships are generally unavailable. You will need family funds, outside scholarships or private loans.

### Is the SAT required at the University of Michigan?

No, the SAT and ACT are optional for the 2027 cycle. To have scores considered in an early round, self-report them by November 1; applications without scores are not reviewed more harshly.

### What is the difference between Early Decision and Early Action at Michigan?

Both deadlines are November 1. Early Decision is binding, with decisions by December 24; Early Action is non-binding, with decisions by January 29 and a reply deadline of May 1.

### What English test score does Michigan expect?

Michigan looks for TOEFL iBT in the 5–6 range with sections of 5+, IELTS around 7.0 with sections of 6.5+, PTE 68 or Cambridge 185. It does not list Duolingo.

### How many essays does Michigan require?

The Common App essay of 250–650 words plus two Michigan essays: one on contributing to the community (100–300 words) and one on your chosen school or college (100–550 words).

## Sources {#section-14}

- [U-M Admissions: First-Year Requirements & Deadlines](https://admissions.umich.edu/apply/first-year-applicants/requirements-deadlines)
- [U-M Admissions: Application Changes and Test-Optional Policy](https://admissions.umich.edu/apply/first-year-applicants/requirements-deadlines/application-changes)
- [U-M Admissions: Essay Questions](https://admissions.umich.edu/apply/first-year-applicants/essay-questions)
- [U-M Admissions: International Applicants](https://admissions.umich.edu/apply/international-applicants)
- [U-M Admissions: International Requirements & Deadlines](https://admissions.umich.edu/apply/international-applicants/requirements-deadlines)
- [U-M Admissions: Exams & Visas](https://admissions.umich.edu/apply/international-applicants/exams-visas)
- [U-M Office of Financial Aid: Estimating Costs 2026–27](https://finaid.umich.edu/getting-started/estimating-costs)
- [U-M Office of Financial Aid: International Students](https://finaid.umich.edu/apply-aid/international-students)
- [U-M Common Data Set 2025–2026](https://obp.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/pubdata/cds/cds_2025-26_umaa.pdf)
- [Michigan Housing: First-Year Application Instructions](https://housing.umich.edu/first-year-application-instructions/)
- [US Embassy in Russia: Visas](https://ru.usembassy.gov/visas/)
- [ICE: I-901 SEVIS Fee](https://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901)
- [US Department of State: Visa Fees](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/fees/fees-visa-services.html)
- [QS World University Rankings 2027](https://www.topuniversities.com/world-university-rankings)
- [THE World University Rankings 2027](https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/latest/world-ranking)
- [ShanghaiRanking ARWU 2026](https://www.shanghairanking.com/rankings/arwu/2026)

Amounts are in US dollars as published by the university; checked on September 30, 2026. See other universities on our [study in the USA](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-usa) page. To choose a school within Michigan and an application plan that fits your budget, [send us a request](https://www.studyu.org/en/apply).

During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.

## Next steps

- [Northwestern University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-northwestern)
- [Johns Hopkins University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-johns-hopkins)
- [Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-georgia-tech)
- [Studying in the USA for international applicants](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-usa)
- [SAT or ACT: Which Test to Take for US Admission in 2026–27](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-sat-or-act)
- [Cost of Studying in the USA in 2026: Tuition, Living Costs and a Realistic First-Year Budget](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-the-usa)

Updated: September 2026