University of Miami admission requirements for international students are a Common App application with your personal essay, a Secondary School Report, your school records and an English test score or waiver. SAT and ACT scores are optional if you graduate from a school outside the US. Miami admitted 10,245 of 58,167 first-year applicants for fall 2025, an acceptance rate of about 17.6%, and it is No. 55 among National Universities in the U.S. News 2027 edition, up from No. 64.
The cost for an international student in 2026-27 is $104,091, which includes the health insurance international students must buy. Miami says it offers international students both merit and need-based aid, and its two biggest awards, the Stamps Scholarship (full cost of attendance) and the Isaac Bashevis Singer Scholarship (full tuition), are open to all first-year applicants. To be considered for them you must apply by 1 November 2026 through Early Decision I or Early Action. Early Decision II and Regular Decision close on 5 January 2027.
University of Miami at a glance
- Ranking: No. 55 among National Universities, U.S. News 2027 edition, up from No. 64.
- Size: 13,241 undergraduates in fall 2025.
- Acceptance rate: about 17.6% overall for fall 2025, and about 9.4% for nonresident (international) first-year applicants.
- Cost for 2026-27: $104,091 for international students, including mandatory health insurance.
- Aid for international students: merit scholarships (automatic consideration) and need-based aid through the CSS Profile.
- Top scholarships: Stamps (full cost of attendance plus a $12,000 enrichment fund) and Isaac Bashevis Singer (full tuition), both open to international applicants.
- Testing: SAT and ACT optional for students graduating from non-US schools.
- Work: F-1 students may work on campus up to 20 hours a week.
University of Miami ranking
U.S. News ranks Miami No. 55 among National Universities in its 2027 edition, published in September 2026, a rise of nine places from No. 64. Miami is especially known for marine and atmospheric science, music, medicine and health sciences, business and communication, and it sits in one of the biggest international cities in the US.
University of Miami acceptance rate and class profile
These figures come from Miami’s Common Data Set 2025-26, which reports the class that entered in fall 2025.
| Measure | Fall 2025 figure |
|---|---|
| First-year applicants | 58,167 |
| Admitted | 10,245 |
| Acceptance rate | about 17.6% |
| Enrolled | 2,686 |
| Early Decision | 2,395 applied, 1,062 admitted (about 44%) |
| Waitlist | 22,147 offered a place, 9,077 accepted, 703 admitted |
| Nonresident (international) first-years | 8,552 applied, 808 admitted (about 9.4%), 205 enrolled |
| SAT middle 50% | 1350 to 1450 (34% of enrolled students sent the SAT) |
| ACT middle 50% | 30 to 33 (17% sent the ACT) |
| Total undergraduates | 13,241 |
Miami’s own admissions page gives a slightly different profile for its newest class: 54,218 completed applications, a middle SAT superscore range of 1350 to 1480, an ACT superscore range of 28 to 33 and an average unweighted GPA of 3.81, with international students making up 6% of those admitted.
The international figure is the one to notice. About 9.4% of international first-year applicants were admitted in fall 2025, roughly half the overall rate. Early Decision is far more generous at about 44%, but it is binding, so only use it if your family can pay.
University of Miami tuition for international students in 2026-27
Tuition and fees are the same for international and US students. Miami’s 2026-27 estimated cost of attendance for students living on campus is:
| Item | 2026-27 amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $66,312 |
| Fees | $2,030 |
| Housing | $16,958 |
| Meals | $9,400 |
| Books | $1,040 |
| Personal | $2,294 |
| Transportation | $800 |
| Loan fees | $38 |
| Total cost of attendance | $98,872 |
| University health insurance | $4,483 |
| Total for international students | $104,091 |
International students must enroll in the university health plan whatever their credit load, and the international total also allows more for travel. First-year students who are not from the local area must live in university housing for their first two semesters.
Does the University of Miami give scholarships to international students?
Yes. Miami’s international applicant FAQ says it “offers international students both merit and need-based aid”, and all applicants are considered for merit scholarships automatically, whatever their citizenship.
| Scholarship | Value | Open to international students? | How to be considered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stamps Scholarship | full cost of attendance plus a $12,000 enrichment fund | Yes | apply ED I or EA by 1 Nov 2026; Miami may ask for more information |
| Isaac Bashevis Singer Scholarship | full tuition | Yes | apply ED I or EA by 1 Nov 2026 |
| President’s Scholarship | up to $30,000 a year | Yes, no citizenship limit listed | automatic with a complete application by your deadline |
| Canes Achievement Award | up to $20,000 a year | Yes, no citizenship limit listed | automatic with a complete application by your deadline |
| Hammond, Weeks and Jenkins scholarships | full tuition or more | No, US citizens and permanent residents only | not relevant for international students |
To keep a merit scholarship you must stay full time (at least 12 credits each semester) and hold a GPA of at least 3.0. Awards last up to eight semesters.
Need-based aid for international students requires the CSS Profile by your plan’s financial aid deadline. Miami does not publish how many international students receive need-based aid or how large the awards are, so do not count on it covering the full gap.
CSS Profile and financial documents
| Plan | CSS Profile deadline |
|---|---|
| Early Decision I | 15 November 2026 |
| Early Action | 15 November 2026 |
| Early Decision II | 5 January 2027 |
| Regular Decision | 5 January 2027 |
The FAFSA is only for US citizens and eligible non-citizens, so international applicants use the CSS Profile alone. After admission, you also send proof of funds for your I-20: a bank letter or a government sponsorship letter. Miami’s international FAQ links to sample letters.
Testing and English requirements
Miami’s international FAQ says SAT and ACT scores are optional for applicants graduating from a non-US school. School of Architecture applicants who do not send scores must submit a portfolio, and all Frost School of Music performance applicants must audition. If you went to school in the US, check Miami’s testing policy page, because for fall 2026 Miami required test scores from most applicants.
If English is not your native language, send a TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo score, or request a waiver. Miami’s competitive benchmarks are:
| Test | Competitive score |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT (0 to 120 scale, before 21 January 2026) | 80 |
| TOEFL iBT (1 to 6 scale, from 21 January 2026) | 4.5 |
| IELTS | 6.5 |
| Duolingo English Test | 120 |
Use TOEFL code C730 or IELTS code 4861, and choose “University of Miami Undergraduate Admissions” for Duolingo. The TOEFL iBT Home Edition is accepted; TOEFL Essentials is not. Scores are valid for two years.
You can ask for a waiver through the applicant portal if any of these apply to you:
- at least three years at a high school where English is the medium of instruction, in the US or abroad
- a grade C or better in IGCSE or GCE O or A Level English as a first language
- IB English A SL or HL with a predicted 4 or higher, or IB English B HL with a predicted 5 or higher
- AP English or IB HL English with a final grade of A or B
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing of 650 or higher, or ACT English of 27 or higher, sent officially
- completion of Level 5 of Miami’s Intensive English Program
- 24 or more US college credits including 6 in English composition at grade B or higher
Many students from English-medium secondary schools in countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and India qualify under the first route, but confirm with Miami before you skip the test. Miami does not offer conditional admission.
What goes into a University of Miami application
- Application form: the Common Application.
- Personal essay: the Common App essay.
- Secondary School Report: completed by your counselor, or by a school administrator if your school has no counselor.
- Transcripts and certificates: for A Level, AS Level and CAPE results, Miami awards credit only from official certificates.
- English test or waiver: as above.
- SAT or ACT: optional for non-US school graduates.
- Early Decision Agreement: for ED I and ED II only, through the Common App.
- Portfolio or audition: for architecture (if you do not send tests) and Frost School of Music performance majors.
- Interview: optional. International applicants are invited to complete an InitialView interview, which is not rated or graded, by the Regular Decision deadline.
Do not mail certificates, awards or news clippings. List them in the activities and honours sections of the Common App.
University of Miami deadlines for fall 2027
| Plan | Application due | Final documents due | Decision | Binding? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Decision I | 1 November 2026 | 13 November 2026 | mid-December 2026 | Yes |
| Early Action | 1 November 2026 | 20 November 2026 | late January 2027 | No |
| Early Decision II | 5 January 2027 | 25 January 2027 | late February 2027 | Yes |
| Regular Decision | 5 January 2027 | 5 February 2027 | 1 April 2027 | No |
Early applications that are still incomplete on the final documents date move to Regular Decision. Frost School of Music applicants in ED II and RD must apply by 1 December 2026. Only ED I and EA applicants are considered for the Stamps and Singer scholarships; ED II and RD applicants are considered for the other merit awards.
How to write your University of Miami essays
Published 2026-27 prompt lists show that Miami dropped its supplemental essay this year, so your Common App personal essay carries all the weight. That changes how you should write it:
- Make the essay do two jobs. It has to show your character and hint at what you want to study. A story about building something, solving a local problem or teaching others works well.
- Think about the Stamps reader. Stamps and Singer candidates are chosen from early applicants on the strength of the whole file. An essay that shows leadership and curiosity helps your scholarship case.
- Use your activities list fully. Without a supplement, the activities section is where you show depth. Write clear, specific descriptions with numbers.
- Prepare for more questions. Miami says Stamps candidates may be asked for additional information, so keep notes on your achievements ready.
A sample opening for a Common App essay, for illustration only:
“Every August the sea wall in front of my grandmother’s house in Lagos loses another metre of sand. At fourteen I started measuring it with a tape and a notebook, and three years later my measurements are part of a school project that the local council finally read.”
What happens after you apply
- Portal access: about 48 to 72 hours after you submit, Miami emails you instructions for the applicant portal.
- Document checks: use the portal to clear any missing items before your final documents date.
- Decision: timing depends on your plan (see the table above). Merit awards come with the admission decision.
- Deposit: accept by paying the non-refundable enrollment deposit.
- I-20: Miami issues your I-20 at least 10 business days after it has your deposit, a passport copy and your bank or sponsor letter.
- Visa: pay the SEVIS fee and book your F-1 interview.
Common mistakes international applicants make
- Applying Regular Decision and hoping for Stamps. Stamps and Singer go only to ED I and EA applicants who apply by 1 November.
- Missing the final documents date. An incomplete early application moves to Regular Decision.
- Taking an English test without checking the waivers. Many students from English-medium schools qualify for a waiver.
- Sending provisional A Level results. Miami needs the original certificate for credit.
- Applying ED without a funding plan. ED is binding, and the international cost is over $104,000 a year.
- Leaving out the CSS Profile. Without it, Miami cannot consider you for need-based aid.
Costs that Miami aid does not cover
- English test and score fees, and the Common App fee if you have no waiver.
- The CSS Profile fee.
- The SEVIS fee and US visa application fee.
- Flights home beyond the travel allowance.
- Storage for your belongings between academic years.
- Summer housing and food if you stay in Miami.
The Stamps Scholarship is the exception. It covers the full cost of attendance and adds a $12,000 enrichment fund.
Majors and strengths
Miami’s well-known schools include the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, the Frost School of Music, the Herbert Business School, the School of Communication, the School of Architecture, the College of Engineering and the School of Nursing and Health Studies, with the Miller School of Medicine on its medical campus. Marine biology, music, nursing, business and pre-health tracks are popular with international students.
Campus and city
The main campus is in Coral Gables, a leafy city next to Miami, with a lake in the middle and a warm climate all year. Miami is a large, international and bilingual city and a major airport with flights to Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe. The Atlantic hurricane season runs through summer and autumn, so learn the university’s storm procedures when you arrive.
Graduate admissions at the University of Miami
Graduate admissions are handled by each school through the Graduate School, with separate processes for the Miller School of Medicine, the School of Law and the Herbert Business School MBA. PhD students are usually funded through assistantships, while most master’s students pay their own way. Check the programme page for English minimums and deadlines.
University of Miami compared with similar colleges
| College | U.S. News 2027 | Acceptance rate | 2026-27 cost | Aid for international students |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Miami | No. 55 | about 17.6% (fall 2025) | $104,091 for international students | merit (Stamps, Singer, up to $30,000) and some need-based aid |
| USC | No. 27 | about 11% | $103,162 | merit only, up to full tuition |
| Wake Forest | No. 34 (tie) | about 20.8% (fall 2025) | $98,730 | merit only |
| Boston University | No. 34 (tie) | 12.8% (fall 2025) | $98,419 | merit only |
Miami stands out here because it considers international students for need-based aid as well as merit. Tulane is another southern option with large merit awards for international students.
Who should apply to the University of Miami
Apply if you want a warm, international city, your interests fit Miami’s strengths in marine science, music, health, business or communication, and you can either pay most of the cost or compete seriously for its merit awards. Strong students should apply Early Action by 1 November to stay in the running for Stamps and Singer without a binding commitment.
Look elsewhere if you need full need-based funding guaranteed. Colleges such as MIT and Amherst are need-blind and meet full need, and our list of the best American scholarships for international students has more options.
FAQ on University of Miami admission requirements for international students
What is the University of Miami acceptance rate for international students?
About 9.4% for fall 2025: 808 of 8,552 international first-year applicants were admitted, according to Miami’s Common Data Set 2025-26. The overall rate was about 17.6%.
Does the University of Miami give financial aid to international students?
Yes. International students are automatically considered for merit scholarships, including the Stamps and Singer awards, and can apply for need-based aid with the CSS Profile.
How much does the University of Miami cost for international students?
The 2026-27 estimate for international students is $104,091, including $66,312 tuition and the mandatory $4,483 health insurance.
Does the University of Miami require SAT for international students?
No. SAT and ACT scores are optional for students graduating from a school outside the US. Architecture applicants without scores must send a portfolio.
Sources and updates
I checked these figures on the University of Miami’s own pages on 29 October 2026: the admission plans and deadlines page for fall 2027, the international applicant FAQ, the English proficiency requirements page, the first-year merit scholarships page, the 2026-27 cost of attendance and the application process page. Admission figures are from Miami’s Common Data Set 2025-26 as compiled by CollegeData.fyi, because the PDF form on Miami’s research office site did not display its values. The note that Miami dropped its supplement comes from published 2026-27 prompt lists. The U.S. News profile page could not be opened, so the 2027 rank comes from published reports of the new edition. We update this guide when Miami changes its dates, costs or aid rules.
I am Jude Chinecherem, a final-year MBBS student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. I know what it feels like to want an education your family cannot afford. When my parents could not pay for my schooling, I had to learn how to find scholarships and work the system out on my own, with nobody to guide me. I came out the other side, and now I share everything I learned so the next student does not have to figure it out alone. This is the advice I wish someone had given me back then.
