University of Michigan—Ann Arbor is a public institution that was founded in 1817. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 29,821, its setting is city, and the campus size is 3,207 acres. It utilizes a trimester-based academic calendar. University of Michigan—Ann Arbor's ranking in the 2019 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 27. Its in-state tuition and fees are $15,262 (2018-19); out-of-state tuition and fees are $49,350 (2018-19).

The university boasts of Ann Arbor, only 45 minutes from Detroit, as one of the best college towns in the U.S. Freshmen are guaranteed housing but not required to live on campus. Students can join one of the school’s more than 1,500 student organizations or 62 Greek chapters. Athletics play a central role at Michigan, including the football team’s fierce rivalry with Ohio State. Michigan also offers highly ranked graduate programs, including the Stephen M. Ross School of Business, College of Engineering, Law School and Medical School, in addition to the well-regarded School of Dentistry and Taubman College for Architecture and Urban Planning. The University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers is ranked among the top hospitals in the country.