Facts and Figures
The University of Michigan-Dearborn is a top-ranked public university located in Dearborn, Michigan. Across four colleges, UM-Dearborn combines top-tier academic excellence with affordable tuition, high social mobility and strong graduate career outcomes.
Affordability, Return on Investment and Career Outcomes
Low Student Debt
Nearly 60% of full-time, in-state undergraduates earn their degree with zero student debt.
High Earnings
Graduates earn a median income of $77,000 within four years of graduating, placing UM-Dearborn 3rd highest among public universities in Michigan.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard
Top Value
Ranked 3rd best investment for 10-year earnings among Michigan public universities.
Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce Report
Keeping College Affordable
With competitive aid and low overall costs, UM-Dearborn delivers a high-value Michigan degree without the heavy price tag.
- Nearly 60% of first-year, full-time, in-state undergraduates pay no tuition at all.
- For those who do pay, the average annual tuition for a student from a middle-income family is less than $6,000 a year. That amount decreases significantly for families with lower incomes.
- UM-Dearborn has the second lowest average annual cost among 15 public Michigan Universities, according to the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Employment Outcomes
From undergraduate research and internships to classroom innovation, UM-Dearborn prepares students to launch meaningful careers. Our annual graduate survey demonstrates the immediate impact of a UM-Dearborn education on career success and regional leadership.
- 94% of students who accepted employment in 2025-26 stay in Michigan following graduation**
- 73% are employed**
- 13% are attending graduate school**
- 21% are still seeking employment (some attending graduate school may also be seeking employment)**
Data is based on UM-Dearborn Career Services survey of the undergraduate class of 2025-26, ~68% knowledge rate, combines survey responses, institutional knowledge and knowledge gained from LinkedIn. This data may not equal 100% due to respondents falling across multiple options.
Awards and Recognition
Time Magazine named UM-Dearborn the #3 public university in Michigan in its first-ever America’s Best Colleges list, based on value, return on investment and learning environment. This puts UM-Dearborn in the top 12% of colleges nationwide for value and outcomes.
UM-Dearborn is one of only four Michigan public universities named a national Opportunity University for promoting economic mobility, and one of only 7 statewide to earn the Elective Community Engagement classification by Carnegie.
Washington Monthly, Forbes and WalletHub recognize UM-Dearborn as a top university for affordability, outcomes and ROI.
Academic Excellence and Rankings
Top-Ranked University
U.S. News and World Report ranks UM-Dearborn among the top 125 public universities in the U.S.
Social Mobility
U.S. News & World Report ranks UM-Dearborn No. 2 among all universities in Michigan for social mobility.
Veteran Friendly
UM-Dearborn has been recognized as a gold-level veteran-friendly school by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, based on the university's commitment to supporting student veterans and their dependents on campus.
Academic Offerings
UM-Dearborn provides comprehensive academic options spanning undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral studies:
- Undergraduate Programs: 111 undergrad programs and 71 minors.
- Graduate Programs: 66 graduate programs and specialized certificate options.
- Doctoral Programs: 7 doctoral degrees, including 4 Rackham-affiliated programs.
Explore UM-Dearborn Academic Programs →
Class Sizes and Learning Environment
UM-Dearborn combines small class sizes with strong faculty support across all programs:
- Average Class Size: 27 students per class.
- Small Class Ratio: 61% of all classes enroll fewer than 30 students.
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 1:16 faculty-to-student ratio.
Home to Four Colleges
College of Arts, Sciences, & Letters
College of Education, Health, and Human Services
College of Engineering and Computer Science
College of Business
Research Impact
Research at the University of Michigan-Dearborn drives technological breakthroughs, addresses critical societal challenges and powers the regional economy. Through strategic partnerships with government agencies and industry partners, our faculty and students translate discoveries into real-world solutions across Metro Detroit and beyond.
Research Awards
$8.1M in annual research awards supporting cutting-edge discovery for UM-Dearborn faculty and students.
Partnerships
Research is sponsored with federal and industry partnerships, including NSF, NIH, U.S. Department of Education, and corporate partners.
R2 Designation
Recognized by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching for achieving high research activity.
Student Enrollment, Demographics and Alumni at a Glance
| Category | Breakdown and Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Enrollment (Academic Year 2026-2027) | 7,741 total students enrolled
|
| Average incoming first-year GPA | 3.66 |
| Regional and Global Reach |
|
| Inclusion and Access |
|
| Degrees Granted (Academic Year 2025-2026) | 2,177 total degrees granted
|
| Alumni | 72,000+ UM-Dearborn alumni
|
Accreditation
The University of Michigan-Dearborn earns its accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the regional accrediting organization approved by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) for degree-granting institutions in the state of Michigan. Learn more about our accreditations.