UVA vs. Michigan vs. Virginia Tech vs. IU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Virginia Main Campus in Charlottesville, VA with University of Michigan Ann Arbor in Ann Arbor, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Michigan Ann Arbor is larger than UVA based on total student enrollment (52,855 students vs. 26,409 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Virginia Main Campus is located in Charlottesville, VA (Small City setting); University of Michigan Ann Arbor is in Ann Arbor, MI (Midsize City setting).
• University of Virginia Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Virginia Main Campus 15:1; University of Michigan Ann Arbor 11:1.

UVA vs. Michigan Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UVA or Michigan? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Michigan Ann Arbor than UVA ($17,574 vs. $18,427).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Virginia Main Campus are 3.4% lower than at University of Michigan Ann Arbor ($14,800 vs. $15,328).
• University of Virginia Main Campus is 22.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Michigan (about $4,067 more per year; $21,803.00 vs. $17,736.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.4% higher at Michigan than at University of Virginia Main Campus (about $1,434 more per year; $60,946.00 vs. $59,512.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Michigan Ann Arbor than at University of Virginia Main Campus (59% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Virginia Main Campus students is 14.4% larger than aid received by University of Michigan Ann Arbor students ($28,715 vs. $25,099).

UVA vs. Michigan Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UVA or Michigan? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Michigan and UVA.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Virginia Main Campus (1480) is 30 points higher than at Michigan (1450).
• Incoming UVA students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (33 vs. 32 at Michigan).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Virginia Main Campus 1410/1540; University of Michigan Ann Arbor 1360/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Virginia Main Campus 32/35; University of Michigan Ann Arbor 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UVA - Test optional; Michigan - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Michigan Feb 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Michigan students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at UVA (3.85).
• UVA has a higher acceptance rate (16.8%) than Michigan (15.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40% at UVA vs. 47.3% at Michigan.

UVA vs. Michigan Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UVA and Michigan? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of Virginia Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than University of Michigan Ann Arbor's (90%).
• Graduates from University of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than Michigan graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $74,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Virginia Main Campus graduates have a $603 lower median loan debt than Michigan graduates ($19,500 vs. $20,103).
• Among borrowers, UVA graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Michigan graduates ($201 vs. $207).
• More UVA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Michigan students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 78%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.