Head-to-head comparison
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor vs. University of Texas at Austin
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Michigan or UT Austin harder to get into?
Michigan is harder to get into than UT Austin. Michigan's 15.6% acceptance rate is lower than UT Austin's 26.6%.
Which is cheaper, Michigan or UT Austin?
Michigan costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Michigan's average net price is $13,138 vs $19,857 at UT Austin.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Michigan graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $83,648 at Michigan and $75,121 at UT Austin.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Michigan | UT Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 15.6% | 26.6% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1360–1530 | 1250–1510 |
| ACT mid-50% | 31–34 | 27–33 |
| Cost of attendance | $34,654 | $31,247 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $13,138 | $19,857 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 34,177 | 42,855 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 93.2% | 88.9% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $83,648 | $75,121 |
| Setting | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Austin, Texas |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Michigan is meaningfully harder to get into. A 11.0-percentage-point gap between 15.6% (Michigan) and 26.6% (UT Austin) reflects real selectivity differences. UT Austin is the more realistic target for a balanced college list.
Michigan is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $6,719 per year, $26,876 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
Michigan graduates earn $8,527 more on average at the 10-year mark. This usually reflects major distribution more than school quality — schools that concentrate in CS, engineering, and finance pull higher medians than schools with more humanities and social science graduates. UT Austin grads' earnings within the same major category are typically comparable.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Michigan is in Ann Arbor, Michigan; UT Austin is in Austin, Texas. Climate, cost-of-living, and proximity to job markets in your target field shape the four-year experience and post-grad pipeline more than most prospective students realize.
Michigan's graduation rate is meaningfully higher (93.2% vs 88.9% 6-year completion). Graduation gaps at this level usually reflect support-system differences, financial aid adequacy, or degree-flexibility — worth verifying with each school's first-year retention and major-change policies.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Michigan is 53.9% women, 7.6% international, and 18.4% Asian-American. UT Austin is 57.8% women, 4.4% international, and 25.7% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Michigan | UT Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 53.9% | 57.8% |
| International | 7.6% | 4.4% |
| White | 46.7% | 30.4% |
| Asian | 18.4% | 25.7% |
| Hispanic | 11.7% | 28.3% |
| Black | 5.2% | 4.6% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Michigan vs. UT Austin?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Michigan if
- Net price matters: Michigan costs $6,719 less per year on average
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($83,648 vs $75,121)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- the Ross
Pick UT Austin if
- Your odds are realistic at UT Austin (slightly easier admit)
- the McCombs School of Business
Headline numbers favor one school or the other on each axis, but neither is unambiguously “better.” The right answer depends on your major fit, geographic preference, financial need, and personal odds at each. Most applicants who get into one of these schools also get into the other.
Full School Pages
For complete admissions data, supplemental essay strategy, and class profile breakdowns:
Full profile
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
15.6% accept · Ann Arbor, Michigan
Full profile
University of Texas at Austin
26.6% accept · Austin, Texas
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for acceptance rates, test ranges, financial aid, demographics, completion, and earnings.
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) for the underlying federal data.
- Each school's most recent published Common Data Set for cycle-specific admissions stats.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect each school's most recent publicly published admit cycle.