Established in 1959 with a gift from the Ford Motor Company, the UM-D has developed into a comprehensive university, offering undergraduate and professional degrees in the liberal arts and sciences, engineering, management, education, and public administration. One third of the campus, more than 70 acres, is maintained as one of the largest natural areas in metropolitan Detroit, serving as a research and teaching facility for students and school teachers on campus and throughout the region. The Henry Ford Estate, a National Historic Landmark, is located on the campus, and continues to attract 150,000 visitors a year. It includes the home of Henry Ford, extensive rose gardens designed by his wife, Clara, and many nature trails. Enrollment in Fall 1998 was 8,219 highly selective students, representing a wide range of academic interests and diverse backgrounds.
New students are among the most academically qualified undergraduates in the state.
Ninety-nine percent of the students are Michigan residents, primarily from the greater Detroit metropolitan area. Nearly sixty degree programs are offered at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. Graduate programs in education, engineering, and management are designed to meet the needs of practicing professionals, as well as the needs of businesses, institutions, agencies, and governments in the region. The University has an extensive co-op program, which offers structured work experiences to bring experiential education into the classroom curriculum. The College of Engineering and Computer Science is recognized as one of the best in the country, and maintains strong ties with the business community, with more than 400 co-op placements available.