Hi, I’m currently choosing between the two mentioned in the title. Below are some pros and cons I’ve gathered that might be incomplete or incorrect, but some also provide info about me
michigan: pros:
parents pay me 10k each year for 4 years since its yearly tuition is 10k cheaper
notre dame: pros:
great food
kind and caring professors
cons:
asian, dont plan on drinking beer, might not fit in socially?
and planned major is math
So funny, my DD hated the food at ND! ; ).
Seriously though, very different schools in very different settings. Both are excellent academically. No wrong decision here.
Have you visited?
I have to say if it’s a toss up for you, go to Michigan and come out with $40k in savings.
Agree, the two schools have different vibes. Since both ND and UM are affordable to your family I’d pick whichever school you feel is the better fit for you. Congratulations on having two such great options.
Honestly, I’d be on the fence about this decision as well. Both schools are fantastic.
ND will have smaller class sizes. UMich has the #12 ranked math department in the US.
South Bend is a nice town, but UMich is extremely well-integrated into the Ann Arbor campus and always seems to make the top of the list in terms of college towns.
ND has their social life revolve around their houses/dorms. No Greek life at ND. UMich has Greek life, not dominating, like a UVa, but not small either.
Both are BIG sports schools and have a large and outstanding alumni base.
Best of luck with your decision.
“South Bend is a nice town”
Ugh, not really.
I think that it is important for ND students to “fit in socially”.
Reminds me of Lou Holtz once said:
thanks for the help. I don’t mind the town since I’m fine with staying on the campus the entire 4 years, but I’ve visited both and worry that although I like notre dame, i might not fit in well since i didnt make many friends like everyone else when visiting for 4 days.
OP: Don’t force yourself to like a school if it isn’t a good fit socially–especially if the adjacent / surrounding town doesn’t offer much.
A vote for Michigan here.
While classes at Michigan may be a bit bigger overall, math classes are small at both schools. Additionally, math is a field in which the reputation of your department can impact your shot at a good graduate program, and Michigan’s math department is noticeably stronger than Notre Dame’s. The non-academic aspects of college life - athletics, school spirit, the college town, and so on - are obviously great at Michigan as well.
Saving $10K a year at Michigan is the cherry on top. It’s an easy decision unless you fall absolutely head over heels in love with Notre Dame, IMO.
To the OP, I’m a parent of a freshman at UMich who’s planning to minor in math. It ain’t easy. The grading is tough and unforgiving. “Weeder” courses, at least in the lower division courses (freshman and sophomore), are a real thing. The “best professor” will have the worst curves, because everyone wants to be taught by the “best professor.” So, what some students do is they enroll in another professor’s class, but then actually attend the class taught by the “best professor,” so the curve won’t be as rough.
What’s kind of funny this semester for my '22 is that the class taught by “best professor” is 8:30-10:00 AM. There’s no way my kid is getting up that early for the “best professor.” BTW, if you want a seat in his/her class, you got to get there 45-60 minutes early. 
I thought I’d mention it, especially if you like challenges. 