University of Michigan-Dearborn logo

University of Michigan-Dearborn

Dearborn, MI

publicgraduate

Quick Facts

“Arts, Knowledge, Truth”

1959
Founded
Public university
Type
5,882
Total Students
6,117
Undergrad
1,982
Graduate
$86M
Endowment
(2023)
$15K
Tuition (In-State)
$31K
Tuition (Out-State)
$11K
Avg Net Price
59%
Acceptance Rate
57%
Graduation Rate
6-year
81%
Retention Rate
Master's Colleges & Universities
Classification

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About University of Michigan-Dearborn

University of Michigan-Dearborn: Ford's legacy, community-driven research, and real-world impact.

Nestled in the heart of Metro Detroit, the University of Michigan-Dearborn (UM-Dearborn) stands as a vibrant public research university with a rich history deeply intertwined with the automotive industry. Born from a visionary gift of land and capital from the Ford Motor Company in 1959, UM-Dearborn began as the Dearborn Center, a unique remote branch of the prestigious University of Michigan. Its foundation was laid with an innovative spirit, offering upper-division undergraduate and master's level programs that included a cooperative work-study requirement, designed to provide students with invaluable real-world experience and boost their career prospects in fields like business administration and engineering.

Over the decades, UM-Dearborn evolved, achieving its own accreditation in 1970 and officially becoming the University of Michigan-Dearborn. While maintaining its own distinct identity, it proudly adheres to the policies of the University of Michigan Board of Regents, ensuring a high standard of academic excellence. This growth led to the expansion of its offerings, eventually including lower-division undergraduate courses and a broader range of academic disciplines, from liberal arts to teacher education.

Today, UM-Dearborn is recognized among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research spending and doctorate production" by the Carnegie Classification, underscoring its commitment to advanced scholarship and innovation. With a thriving student body of 8,224 Wolverines, the university is celebrated for its deep community engagement within the Metro Detroit region. Its suburban 200+ acre campus fosters a dynamic learning environment, preparing graduates to make significant contributions in their professions and communities, carrying forward a legacy of 'Arts, Knowledge, Truth'.

Key Highlights

  • ✦Established in 1959 with a foundational gift from the Ford Motor Company.
  • ✦Classified as an "R2: Doctoral University" with high research spending and doctorate production.
  • ✦Serves a diverse student body of 8,224 students on its suburban 200+ acre campus.
  • ✦Offers unique cooperative work-study programs for invaluable real-world experience.
  • ✦Deeply committed to community engagement within the Metro Detroit region.
  • ✦Proudly operates under the esteemed University of Michigan Board of Regents, upholding academic excellence.
  • ✦Boasts an endowment of $0.1 billion, supporting its mission and growth.

Timeline

1956
Ford Motor Company gifts land and capital to the University of Michigan for a new branch.
1957
University of Michigan Regents formally accept the gifts, committing to establishing the Dearborn Center.
1958
Construction begins; William E. Stirton appointed as the first director.
1959
The Dearborn Center opens its doors with an inaugural class of 34 students.
1960
Liberal arts, electrical engineering, and teacher education programs are added.
1962
The first 12 students graduate from the Dearborn Center.
1963
The branch is renamed the Dearborn Campus of the University of Michigan.
1970
Receives its own accreditation, becoming the fully-fledged University of Michigan-Dearborn.
1974
Begins varsity athletic competition with its soccer program.
🏛️
67 Years
of Excellence

Find Scholarships at University of Michigan-Dearborn

Sign up free to discover grants and scholarships you qualify for at this school and thousands more.

Start Your Free Search