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The University of Michigan has a stellar reputation in STEM education, and that extends to the world of computer science (CS). As with many other top-tier programs in CS, UMich has tried to meet the sweltering wave of increased interest in this field by expanding capacity both in the College of Engineering, and creating newer interdisciplinary opportunities through its traditional liberal arts college, the school of Literature, Arts, & Sciences.
The differences between these programs can be hard to identify, and even harder to evaluate. Is the liberal arts program less rigorous and/or competitive? Will it affect the kinds of job offers available to me, or my competitiveness for jobs? What are the criteria for making this decision?
In this article, we’ll give you the lowdown on who should apply to the College of Literature, Arts and Sciences at the University of Michigan, and why. Many of these tips can apply to other college programs as well! Still, there are a few nuances to the UMich offerings. We’ll be sure to point those out, too!
1. Understand the Differences
Coursework
The primary difference between these types of programs is usually expressed through the ways in which they support the core CS curriculum.
In the College of Engineering, students are expected to develop a higher level of proficiency in math and physics: fields that are most relevant to the theoretical foundations of the field as a whole. Research can be a more intensive part of the curriculum, as are hands-on project deliverables (although both of these will still be well-represented via LSA).
By contrast, the College of Literature, Arts, and Sciences encourages a more holistic approach. The curriculum is split up into four equal parts: a liberal arts core, critical skills (emphasizing reading, writing, and research), in-major coursework, and electives. While this specific structure is particular to UMich, it is fairly representative of the core philosophy espoused by schools of arts and sciences as a whole.
Less Selective vs. Less Competitive
While it may seem counterintuitive, acceptance rate is not always directly proportional to a college’s competitiveness. A program’s popularity, applicant self-selectivity, and a litany of socioeconomic factors can all play a role in who applies to which college, despite their limited relationship to a student’s competitiveness.
That’s not to say that there’s never any relationship between these elements, but in the case of UMich where there’s only a 6% difference between acceptance rates for these departments, and with a school with as far-ranging a reputation as UMich: applying to LSA to increase your chances may be more about fit than about beating the system.
The Caveat: transferring in and out of the College of Engineering
On the other hand, there may be one prominent sign that the College of Engineering program is slightly favored, at least in practice: transferring to the LSA is a relatively unencumbered process. Meanwhile, only 100 seats are available for transfers to the College of Engineering per year. This is likely mostly about school size, but it is worth considering when applying!
2. Build a Standout CS Extracurricular Profile
Regardless of whether you’re applying to LSA or the College of Engineering, many applicants have substantial coding experience. Students who want to have strong chances at UMich need to showcase leadership, research, and a propensity for innovation in CS.
Example Flagship Achievements
- Top Olympiads: USACO Gold/Platinum, Google Code Jam, or Facebook Hacker Cup can really help you to stand out at this level of competition.
- AI/ML Research: Publishing a peer-reviewed research paper, contributing to open-source AI projects. Sometimes an email is all you need to start the conversation.
- Startups & Apps: Creating an app with significant users or launching a tech startup. Having a hard time getting the collaborators necessary to accomplish this? Pathivy has the network connections to help you collaborate with top students from across the country.
Many UMich admits have achieved at least one of these accomplishments, but certainly not all of them.The important thing is to establish a compelling profile of leadership, curiosity, and creativity—something that can also be showcased to an extent through clubs, internships, and volunteer opportunities as well.
The LSA school emphasizes their holistic approach to evaluating applications: if you’re unlikely to have reliable access to high-quality research opportunities or competitions, the LSA may be a better choice as liberal arts programs are more likely to embrace the traditional “well-rounded” student relative to colleges of engineering.
3. Consider Career and Graduate School Prospects
When deciding between LSA and the College of Engineering for CS at UMich, it’s essential to consider how each path may impact your career trajectory and opportunities for graduate study.
Job Market & Internships
Both programs will offer access to top-tier job opportunities, but there are some subtle differences in employer perceptions and internship pipelines. The College of Engineering has more structured career services, industry connections, and employer recruiting events specifically for engineering students. Companies that prioritize technical depth, such as top software firms and engineering-heavy companies, may lean slightly toward hiring CoE graduates due to the additional math and engineering coursework.
However, LSA CS graduates are still highly competitive in the job market and may have an edge in roles requiring interdisciplinary skills, such as product management, UX/UI design, or policy-oriented tech roles. Basically, if it’s work at a startup or your rank-and-file software developer job you’re after, the LSA program is absolutely a wonderful fit!
Regardless of which program you choose, it’s crucial to gain relevant internship experience as early as possible. Many CS internships don’t require an engineering designation, and securing a position at a well-known company can level the playing field between LSA and CoE graduates when entering the workforce.
Graduate School Considerations
For students considering graduate school in CS, particularly in highly technical fields such as artificial intelligence, systems, or robotics, the engineering curriculum might provide stronger preparation in advanced mathematical and theoretical foundations. However, students in LSA can still build strong graduate applications through elective choices, research projects, and independent study. Additionally, those interested in interdisciplinary fields—such as computational biology, digital humanities, or philosophy of AI—may find LSA an exciting opportunity
4. Personal Fit: Which Learning Environment is Right for You?
Beyond job placement and selectivity, choosing between LSA and CoE for CS should also be a matter of personal fit. Here are some key questions to consider:
Do you thrive in a structured, technical environment that emphasizes rigorous math and engineering coursework? If so, CoE may be the better choice.
Are you drawn to interdisciplinary learning and eager to explore courses in philosophy, history, or the arts alongside your CS studies? LSA may be the better fit.
Are you unsure about your future path and want the flexibility to pivot to another field if you decide CS isn’t for you? LSA provides more options for academic exploration.
Do you want access to engineering-exclusive resources and networking opportunities? The CoE may offer advantages here.
Ultimately, both pathways provide access to an outstanding CS education at UMich. The decision should come down to your academic strengths, career aspirations, and learning preferences. Whether you choose LSA or the College of Engineering, success in computer science is more about what you do with your opportunities than the specific program you choose.
Final Thoughts
There’s no universally “better” choice between LSA and the College of Engineering for CS at UMich—it’s all about finding the right fit for your interests and goals. If you’re highly focused on the technical and mathematical aspects of CS, the College of Engineering might be the best route. If you’re looking for a more flexible, interdisciplinary approach with room to explore other academic interests, LSA could be the way to go.
No matter which program you apply to, the key to admission and future success is building a compelling profile that demonstrates technical skills, creativity, and leadership. Whether through research, competitions, or real-world projects, your experiences will ultimately define your CS journey at UMich and beyond.