How would you compare UMich vs UT Austin - social life, enrollment size, school spirit, academics, size of campus… Ann Arbor vs Austin cities?
Very similar size but two different cultures. Both will have everything you are looking for in college life.
Michigan is the quintessential college campus.
Depending on what fields both have great academics. Michigan is ranked in the top 10 in like 45 minors and over 100 grad programs in the top 10…
Have you visited both? It’s probably more about fit /feel
Michigan is ranked higher nationally and in the world standing but in reality all of this means little if you don’t like the campus and culture.
Both are very good schools.
Michigan student teacher ratio is 15:1 and Texas is 18:1. 50%of Michigan classes have less then 20 students and 38% for Texas and so on.
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This. And Wolverine football is the definition of “school spirit.” The alum network is worldwide and, no matter where you are on the planet, “Go Blue!” will always be returned in kind.
And Michigan will have more students from all over where the majority at UT will be from TX.
I say it daily in Chicago and just about anywhere I have been in the US or world. Lol.
But I have to say. The school sprit really is much more than then football. Gasp! It’s the whole culture. So much going on, on campus. People take school pride to another level on campus and evidently when they leave campus.
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Both of these are great schools. I’m hoping @MaineLonghorn will weigh in.
These colleges both have great school spirit, are about the same size, and are both flagship research universities.
But very different weather for sure!
Ann Arbor really is mostly University of Michigan…it’s viewed as one of the best college towns in the country.
UT Austin in Austin…really isn’t the whole town. A different campus experience.
Are we voting? If you get accepted to both, I would suggest visiting both again. My vote would be for Michigan, but I personally like the four seasons there…and not the climate in Austin.
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City wise - you have significant weather differences (cold in winter vs not) and size differences. Austin has become a major metropolis and the school is basically downtown. Ann Arbor is a small city - but not terribly far from Detroit and even closer to the airport.
And if you’re studying engineering, I believe at Michigan its at the north campus which is a few minute drive or 30 minute walk from the main campus but someone can correct me on that.
From your other thread, it seems warmer weather is OK. But I guess the question is…is the colder weather in Ann Arbor OK. It’s nice to see the season changes, and experience that weather change, in my opinion.
Another poster mentioned engineering. Is that your student’s intended major? If not, we can stop discussing that!
10 min bus ride but they are experimenting with Uber like drives also. I have actually walked it in like 20 minutes or less.
It’s just not a big deal. Kids that grew up in cities like my kids took busses and trains to school. That was 35-40 daily at least. But it’s also one of the leading research facilities and faculty in the world. It’s worth the few extra minutes.
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This is one of my favorite places on campus. Yes, on campus.
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Simply pointing out as OP asked for differences. Don’t know the major but it’s an obvious difference if that’s of importance to them. My son eschewed two similar situations so one never knows what matters to someone.
That’s all.
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My freshman very happy so far with UMich. I know a lot of families worry about getting stuck on North Campus, or the commutes, so I’ll give you some info on that topic:
My kid is on Central Campus in a single dorm room in Couzens Hall.
UMich should have 1100 new dorm beds fall 2025 and another 1200 beds 2026, all on Central Campus. 2300 new beds total should allow all freshman to live near Central Campus if they desire.
Some EECS discussion and lab sections were on Central Campus so it cuts down on commutes. My kids EECS lab is at Ross, for instance. Many classes also have recorded lectures if you don’t make it to North Campus.
The bad news this year has been the busses. The shuttle busses this year have been pretty awkward due to construction.
I loved my six years at UT. There was always something going on and lots of opportunities for student research. My son worked in the biomedical engineering lab as a freshman. The alumni network is extensive and professors are happy to recommend graduating student to former students who are hiring.
I will say that one reason Austin has grown so much is that kids tend to stay there after graduation because it’s such a cool city. 
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I believe percentage of OOS is much lower at UT than UMich. This will also have some bearing on admission chances. I believe also UT weights rank more than UMich.
Realistically I do not know how many OOS actually get into both schools and have to make this decision. That is not to say you should not do your research.
It’s hard to get into UT as OOS, but my son made it into engineering. He had really good stats, but not top.
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Texas teacher here. If it was my student asking, of course UT.
Austin is an odd ball in almost every perspective. Their slogan is “keep Austin weird “ so you get the idea. My students who attend UT always say they feel surprised all the time even as Texans. It’s the bluest city in a solidly red state. It’s highly diverse and inclusive. Everyone can find friends and have fun in Austin. Every year I have students going to UT grumpy because they were rejected by the ivies; however, I’ve never known anyone to remain grumpy after thanksgiving.
The downside is like most large state universities. there’s almost no flexibility in switching major or changing courses registration, a lot of bureaucracy to work with or around, housing trouble seems to be unsolvable, etc.
Despite all the complaints, my students and my children’s friends all have fun at UT. It’s a place you decide how to live your college life.
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