Is Arizona State or the University of Michigan harder to get into?

The University of Michigan is harder to get into than Arizona State, and by a pretty clear margin. Michigan is one of the more selective large public universities in the country, while ASU is much more accessible overall and is known for offering a wider range of entry paths. In simple terms, Michigan belongs on a list as a reach or high target for many strong applicants, whereas ASU is more often a realistic or likely option, depending on your academics.

Michigan tends to attract applicants with very strong grades, rigorous coursework, and often standout extracurricular profiles, especially for popular programs. Out-of-state admission there can feel particularly competitive, and some colleges within the university are tougher than the university overall. A student aiming for Michigan should expect that solid numbers alone may not make admission feel safe.

ASU fits a different kind of applicant pool. It is a large public university with broad access, clear admission pathways, and a reputation for being more open to qualified students. For someone building a balanced list, ASU often works well as a school where admission is more predictable if your GPA and course record are in range.

So if your question is simply which school is tougher to enter, the answer is Michigan. If you are comparing them for list-building, treat Michigan as the more selective option by far and ASU as the one that is typically much easier to access.