The university was started in 1817 in Detroit , about 20 years before Michigan became a state , and moved to Ann Arbor in 1837 . The university was founded in 1817 in Detroit as the Catholepistemiad , or University of Michigania , about 20 years before the Michigan Territory officially became a state . What would become the university moved to Ann Arbor in 1837 onto 40 acres ( 16 ha ) of what is now known as Central Campus .