
The University of Michigan-Flint opened in 1956 as Flint College of the University of Michigan. It began as a local option for students seeking a University of Michigan education without leaving the Flint area and later developed into a campus offering undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Its growth helped shape its present identity: UM-Flint is part of the University of Michigan system, but it has its own admissions processes, academic programs and downtown campus. Applicants should use UM-Flint requirements and costs rather than assume that policies published for the Ann Arbor or Dearborn campuses apply in Flint.
UM-Flint organizes its programs across the College of Arts, Sciences & Education, College of Health Sciences, College of Innovation & Technology, School of Management, and School of Nursing. Its offerings span bachelor's degrees, graduate degrees and selected professional programs.
Students can explore fields such as biology, psychology, education, computer science, engineering, business, public health, social work and nursing. The academic home matters when comparing programs: admission to the university does not necessarily mean immediate admission to a selective major or a clinical placement. Applicants considering nursing, health professions or other sequenced programs should examine that program's prerequisites and progression rules separately.
UM-Flint has an urban campus in downtown Flint, Michigan, near the Flint River. Its setting puts classrooms and student facilities close to downtown services rather than on an isolated residential campus.
Commuting is a significant part of the student experience: institutional figures indicate that approximately 94% of students commute. First-year students may park a car on campus, although parking rules and permit charges should be checked before planning a daily trip. Bishop International Airport serves the Flint area; for most students, the more immediate transportation question is how they will get to campus consistently for classes, work and evening activities.
UM-Flint describes its purpose in terms of accessible higher education, teaching, scholarship and engagement with the Flint community. As a public university campus, it serves students pursuing professional preparation as well as broader study in the arts and sciences.
That stated mission is useful context, not a measure of any individual student's experience. Prospective students can assess how it is carried out by comparing the curriculum, course availability, research opportunities and community-based learning in their intended program.
Name of the institution
University of Michigan-FlintLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PublicSetting type
City: SmallInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
5,000 - 9,999School type
Four-year collegeMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1956University of Michigan-Flint is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Certificate of less than 1 year
Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degree
Post-master's certificate
Doctor's degree - research/scholarship
Doctor's degree - professional practiceData last updated on November 2, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.