University of Notre Dame or University of Michigan Ann Arbor 

Choosing a college can be a bit of a bug attached to the brain of a high school graduate. Even when in high school, in the penultimate year, students surf the net trying to select what university or college they would want to be a part of their academic life. Well, this article presents a detailed comparison between the University of Notre Dame and the University of Michigan Ann Arbor. 

University of Notre Dame and the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor are two of the most prestigious universities in the United States. Choosing between both universities is always down to different candidates and what they consider their preferences. However, before candidates make a final choice, they must consider some basic facts about these universities.

Read on to know these basic facts about the University of Notre Dame and the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor before making a definite choice that might change the course of one’s life.

University of Notre Dame or University of Michigan Ann Arbor 

The University of Notre Dame and the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor

Overall Review

University of Notre Dame

The University of Notre Dame is a university, managed by the private sector. It is located in Notre Dame, Indiana. It was established in the 19th century by Edward Sorin and has risen in the ranks to one of the most prestigious universities in the United States. 

Notre Dame University is a Catholic university dedicated to academic success as well as fostering moral values among its students.

University of Michigan–Ann Arbor

The University of Michigan–Ann Arbor is a research university, managed by the public sector. It is located in Ann Arbor, in the state of Michigan. Also established in the 19th century, the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor popularly called UMich is the oldest and most popular university in the state of Michigan. 

Academic Programs 

University of Notre Dame

The University of Notre Dame has academic programs offered across different levels ranging from the following popular majors to other less popular majors:

  • Econometrics and Quantitative Economics
  • Finance
  • Political Science
  • Mathematics and Statistics
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Neuroscience
  • Accounting
  • Chemical Engineering, etc

University of Michigan Ann Arbor

UMich has a host of academic programs offered within its academic walls which are scattered among different colleges and schools. These include colleges of:

  • Architecture & Urban Planning
  • Engineering
  • Literature, Science, and the Arts 
  • Pharmacy,

And schools of:

  • Art & Design
  • Business
  • Dentistry
  • Education
  • Information
  • Kinesiology
  • SMusic, Theatre & Dance
  • Nursing

Acceptance Rate 

University of Notre Dame

Given the number of applicants who apply to study at the University of Notre Dame and the number of spaces available, as well as academic policy, the University of Notre Dame’s acceptance rate is 20%. This implies that the school is very selective and hard to get into by an academically casual student.

University of Michigan Ann Arbor

UMich’s acceptance rate is slightly higher than the University of Notre Dame’s. Based on UMich’s admission policy as well as the number of its applicants each year, its acceptance rate falls at 27%. 

University Ranking & Academic Record 

University of Notre Dame

The University of Notre Dame is ranked as the best Catholic university in the US and the best school for Drama and theatre arts. It is also ranked in the top 3 as the most beautiful universities in the US, and top 5 among the top 50  accounting universities in the US. 

Based on the academic record of the school, it is ranked 19 overall among all universities in the US.

University of Michigan Ann Arbor

UMich is ranked as the best dental school in the US, excelling in the Medical field; as well as hitting the third position among the best public schools in the US. 4icu.org  ranked UMich as the 7th best University in the world among the top 200 universities.

Based on their academic record, they are ranked 23rd overall among all universities in the US.

Admission Policy 

University of Notre Dame

The average GPA for the university of Notre Dame is 4.0. This implies that the management of Notre Dame expects all its applicants to be on an A average. 

The base SAT score required to successfully get one into the university of Notre Dame is 1400, while the base ACT score required to successfully get one in is 33.

University of Michigan Ann Arbor

UMich admits students mostly have an A grade point average. Based on the number of applicants over the years, the average GPA of UMich for applicants is 3.8 GPA on a scale of 4.0. 

The base SAT score for UMich is 1350 while the base ACT score falls at 31 (data based on the number of successful applicants over the years). 

Students Population 

University of Notre Dame

Based on the University of Notre Dame school’s website, the number of students that attend the school as undergraduates falls at approximately 9000 students; graduate and professional students fall at approximately 1500 students. 

University of Michigan Ann Arbor

The total student population of UMich falls at approximately 45,000 students of both undergraduate level and graduate levels. 

Tuition Fee

University of Notre Dame

The tuition fee for Notre Dame undergraduates falls at approximately $59,000 while for graduate school, the tuition falls at approximately $58,000. This is excluding other campus expenses. 

Despite this, the University of Notre Dame gives 100% financial aid to students considered financially restrained.

University of Michigan Ann Arbor 

The tuition fee for Michigan residents is approximately $34,000 per annum while for non-residents of the state of Michigan is approximately $70,000.

However, based on the current data from https://umich.edu, UMich supports students who come from families that earn $65,000 or less and have assets below $50,000. UMich has a standard claim that 1 out of 4 in-state undergraduates who attend UMich pay a $0 tuition fee based on the university’s financial aid. 

Conclusion 

Choosing between the University of Notre Dame and the University of Michigan Ann Arbor is strictly down to the location of the applicants as well as the academic record. 

Also, if applicants already possess standard academic records, the choice of an academic program should play a major role in making the right choice. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

  1. What’s special about the University of Michigan?

Ranked among the top 30 universities in the US, UMich is known to have one of the best athletic programs in the United States. 

  1. Is it harder to get into Notre Dame or Michigan?

Based on the acceptance rate, admission policy as well as the population of students due to the limited number of spaces in Notre Dame, it is harder to get into Notre Dame than UMich. 

  1. Why is Notre Dame University so popular?

Apart from its excellent academic policy, Notre Dame University is well known for its football team that rose through the ranks and became one of the most decorated football teams in IS college history during the early 20th century.