News Story

The University of Michigan remains a top choice for incoming first-year and transfer students from throughout Michigan, across the United States and internationally as undergraduate applications to the UM-Ann Arbor campus reached a record high, with 115,125 prospective students applying to attend the university beginning in fall 2026.

This follows several consecutive years of record highs related to application volume, and a 29% increase in applications in the past five years.

A total of 108,666 prospective first-year students submitted applications to attend the university, with 6,459 transfer applications.

“We are proud to offer an educational experience that, year after year, appeals to so many students from across our state, our country and around the world,” said Adele C. Brumfield, vice provost for enrollment management.

“The volume of applications shows that prospective students see U-M as a great place to acquire the knowledge, skills and experiences needed to propel them forward toward realizing their dreams. And we agree, a U-M education will empower them to achieve their full potential.”

Total applications to the Ann Arbor campus have increased 29% over the past five years. For the 2026 fall term, first-year applications were down slightly from 2025, but increased among:

• First generation in-state students by 4%.
• African American in-state students by 3%.
• Students of Color by 1%.
• International students by 5%.

Among potential transfer students, applications increased 5% overall, and increased among:

• First-generation students by 9%.
• Students of Color by 7%.
• International students by 3%.
• Low-income students by 7%.

Nearly two-thirds of all applicants — 71,893 students — applied for early consideration. And this year, for the first time, prospective students interested in applying for early consideration could choose between Early Decision, which provided an initial admissions decision in December, in exchange for a binding commitment to enroll in the fall if admitted, and the nonbinding Early Action, which U-M has offered for years and provides a January release of admissions decision.

“Providing two options for early consideration allows high-achieving students to affirm their commitment earlier in the application process so they can focus on their senior year of high school,” said Laurie McCauley, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “We’re encouraged to see that so many students acknowledge that UM-Ann Arbor is where they want to be and chose to apply early.”

Students who applied by the Regular Decision application deadline on Feb. 1, as well as those postponed during Early Decision and Early Action, will learn of their admission decision by early April and, if admitted, have until May 1 to accept by paying the enrollment deposit.

Through the admissions cycle, admitted students who completed the required financial aid application received their financial aid package within a week of learning they were admitted.

“As a public institution, U-M is committed to expanding access and addressing affordability for students of all backgrounds,” said Tammie L. Durham Luis, assistant vice provost of enrollment management and executive director of financial aid. “U-M’s Ann Arbor campus is the only public university in Michigan that meets the full demonstrated need for in-state students.”

With the Go Blue Guarantee, and other institutional funding, U-M provides free tuition for in-state students from families with an annual income up to $125,000 and assets up to $125,000, and full cost of attendance for qualified students in the School of Nursing and those pursuing teacher preparation programs in the Marsal Family School of Education, and the School of Music, Theatre & Dance.

“The undergraduate admissions team is partnering with campus colleagues to showcase the U-M experience to admitted students with events on-campus and throughout the state and country,” said Erica L. Sanders, assistant vice provost and executive director of undergraduate admissions. “These events, and our ongoing outreach efforts, serve to provide students and families with the information needed to finalize their college choice.”

The fall term begins Aug. 31 on the Ann Arbor campus. Detailed fall 2026 enrollment numbers will be released in October.