Tulane vs University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (UMich)

When it comes to higher education, Tulane University of Louisiana and University of Michigan-Ann Arbor stand out as two prominent institutions with distinct offerings. Tulane, a private research university in New Orleans, Louisiana, boasts a diverse student body and a strong focus on undergraduate education. On the other hand, the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, a public research university in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is renowned for its world-class research facilities and a wide range of academic programs. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence, they differ in terms of acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Tulane University of Louisiana	University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Overview
Location	New Orleans, Louisiana	Ann Arbor, Michigan
Campus setting	City: Large	City: Midsize
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Trimester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	94.0%	97.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	9.6%	20.2%
Application fees	$50	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1360 - 1510	N/A
ACT range	30 - 33	N/A
Students submitting SAT score	15.0%
Students submitting ACT score	41.0%
Total number of applicants	45,525	79,743
Total number of admissions given out	4,385	16,071
Admitted students who chose to enroll	2,027	7,290
Yield rate	46.2%	45.4%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$81,232	In state: $32,272 Out of state: $69,326
Average net price	$45,048	$19,205
Tuition	$56,684	In state: $15,850 Out of state: $52,904
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,608 Meal plan: $7,170	$12,592
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	72.0% Average amount $29,882	59.0% Average amount $16,326
Students receiving federal student loan	26.0% Average amount $5,176	24.0% Average amount $5,311
Students taking out private loans	3.0% Average amount $25,765	3.0% Average amount $21,796

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	8,700 Men 38.8% Women 61.2%	32,282 Men 48.8% Women 51.2%
Graduate students	5,347 Men 39.1% Women 60.9%	17,996 Men 49.4% Women 50.6%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	91.5%	N/A
International students	10.6%	15.7%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	4,072	11,629
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	California New York Louisiana Texas Illinois	N/A

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Business Legal Profession Biological and Biomedical Sciences Social Sciences	Engineering Health Professions Business Public Administration and Social Service Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio	8:1	12:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	86.0%	93.7%
Dropout rate	3.1%	5.7%
Transferred out	10.6%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $103,779 Year 2: $102,409 Year 3: $114,342 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $84,001 Year 2: $87,973 Year 3: $92,405 Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $70,044 Year 2: $76,460 Year 3: $91,413 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $56,951 Year 2: $67,660 Year 3: $79,920 Legal Professions and Studies, Other (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $62,799 Year 2: $58,221 Year 3: $77,968 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,364 Year 2: $64,281 Year 3: $76,254 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $62,671 Year 2: $64,629 Year 3: $76,103 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,159 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $75,677 Medicine (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $57,475 Year 2: $56,415 Year 3: $67,867 Medicine (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $59,288 Year 3: $66,473	Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $185,139 Year 2: $178,741 Year 3: $197,723 Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $209,842 Year 2: $168,125 Year 3: $177,935 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $146,285 Year 2: $139,927 Year 3: $151,208 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $139,794 Year 2: $140,166 Year 3: $148,785 Dentistry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $118,208 Year 2: $112,215 Year 3: $137,273 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $78,398 Year 2: $97,071 Year 3: $123,926 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $100,643 Year 2: $94,281 Year 3: $117,745 Systems Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $102,847 Year 2: $116,354 Year 3: $116,465 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $96,171 Year 2: $99,772 Year 3: $107,831 Engineering, Other (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $91,194 Year 2: $84,653 Year 3: $101,999

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences in location and campus environment between Tulane and Michigan?

Tulane University is located in the vibrant city of New Orleans, Louisiana, offering a unique cultural experience with a focus on community engagement and urban exploration. The campus is situated in the historic Uptown neighborhood. The University of Michigan, on the other hand, is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, a classic college town known for its academic atmosphere and strong sense of school spirit. Ann Arbor provides a more traditional, self-contained campus environment.
How do Tulane and Michigan compare in terms of academic focus and strengths?

Tulane is known for its strong programs in architecture, business, law, medicine, and public health, with a distinctive emphasis on service learning and interdisciplinary studies. Michigan excels in a wide range of fields, including engineering, business, law, medicine, and the liberal arts, and is renowned for its research opportunities and graduate programs. Michigan is a larger research institution with a broader scope of academic offerings.
What is the difference in size and student body demographics between the two universities?

Tulane is a mid-sized private university with a more selective admissions process and a smaller student body, fostering a close-knit community. Michigan is a large public university with a diverse student body representing a wide range of backgrounds and interests. Michigan's larger size offers a greater variety of perspectives and experiences.
How do the costs of attending Tulane and Michigan differ?

Tulane, as a private university, generally has a higher tuition cost compared to the University of Michigan, especially for out-of-state students. Michigan offers lower tuition rates for in-state residents. Both universities offer financial aid and scholarships, but the overall cost of attendance can be a significant factor depending on residency and financial circumstances.
What are the key differences in campus culture and student life?

Tulane's campus culture is heavily influenced by the unique culture of New Orleans, with a strong emphasis on music, arts, and social events. Student life is vibrant and often extends beyond the campus into the city. Michigan boasts a strong sense of school spirit, particularly surrounding its athletic programs. Student life is centered around campus activities, clubs, and organizations, with a focus on academic and extracurricular engagement.
How do Tulane and Michigan compare in terms of research opportunities?

Both Tulane and Michigan offer research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. However, Michigan, as a large research university, generally has a greater volume and variety of research projects available across various disciplines. Tulane also provides research opportunities, particularly in areas related to its strengths, such as public health and environmental studies.
What are the career prospects like for graduates of Tulane and Michigan?

Graduates from both Tulane and Michigan are highly sought after by employers. Michigan's strong reputation and extensive alumni network can provide advantages in certain industries and geographic locations. Tulane's location in New Orleans and its focus on service learning can open doors to opportunities in the Gulf Coast region and in fields related to social impact.
How do the admission requirements and selectivity differ between Tulane and Michigan?

Both Tulane and Michigan are selective universities, but Michigan, particularly for its top programs, may have a slightly higher overall selectivity rate due to its larger applicant pool. Both universities consider academic performance, standardized test scores (though many programs are test-optional), extracurricular activities, and essays in their admission decisions.
What are some notable alumni from Tulane and Michigan?

Tulane has produced notable alumni in various fields, including business, law, and the arts. Some examples include Jerry Springer and Sean Payton. Michigan boasts a long list of distinguished alumni, including Gerald Ford, James Earl Jones, and Madonna. The extensive alumni network of Michigan can be a valuable resource for graduates.
What are the strengths of each university's location?

New Orleans, where Tulane is located, offers a unique cultural experience, a vibrant music scene, and opportunities for community engagement. Ann Arbor, home to the University of Michigan, is a classic college town with a strong academic atmosphere, a safe environment, and easy access to major metropolitan areas like Detroit.

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