Head-to-head comparison
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor vs. University of Virginia
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Michigan or UVA harder to get into?
Michigan is harder to get into than UVA. Michigan's 15.6% acceptance rate is lower than UVA's 16.8%.
Which is cheaper, Michigan or UVA?
Michigan costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Michigan's average net price is $13,138 vs $21,565 at UVA.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
UVA graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $83,648 at Michigan and $86,863 at UVA.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Michigan | UVA |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 15.6% | 16.8% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1360–1530 | 1410–1540 |
| ACT mid-50% | 31–34 | 32–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $34,654 | $39,926 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $13,138 | $21,565 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 34,177 | 17,597 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 93.2% | 95.6% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $83,648 | $86,863 |
| Setting | Ann Arbor, MI | Charlottesville, Virginia |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Michigan is modestly harder to get into. The 1.2-point gap matters at the margin but doesn't change the overall difficulty tier. Both schools draw similar applicant pools and admit similar profiles.
Michigan is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $8,427 per year, $33,708 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
Michigan is substantially larger with 34,177 undergrads vs 17,597 at UVA. Bigger universities have more major options and broader research opportunities; smaller ones offer more access to faculty and tighter-knit communities.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Michigan is in Ann Arbor, MI; UVA is in Charlottesville, Virginia. 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.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Michigan is 53.9% women, 7.6% international, and 18.4% Asian-American. UVA is 56.1% women, 4.8% international, and 19.9% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Michigan | UVA |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 53.9% | 56.1% |
| International | 7.6% | 4.8% |
| White | 46.7% | 48.7% |
| Asian | 18.4% | 19.9% |
| Hispanic | 11.7% | 7.9% |
| Black | 5.2% | 7.5% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Michigan vs. UVA?
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 $8,427 less per year on average
- Big Ten flagship in Ann Arbor
Pick UVA if
- Your odds are realistic at UVA (slightly easier admit)
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($86,863 vs $83,648)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- the Jeffersonian Academical Village
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, MI
Full profile
University of Virginia
16.8% accept · Charlottesville, Virginia
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.