Admit rate has ranged 52%–93% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Madonna University is a small, Catholic liberal arts institution in suburban Detroit that punches above its weight in health sciences and career-focused programs. With a nearly open admissions policy (93% acceptance rate) and test-optional flexibility, it serves a predominantly local, first-generation student body seeking practical degrees—especially in nursing and business—with a values-driven twist. The campus vibe is commuter-friendly but tight-knit, emphasizing service learning and affordability (84% of freshmen receive aid).
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
Grade point average
Demonstrated competencies
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
1,632
In-state tuition
$28,440
Out-of-state tuition
$28,440
Top Majors
Nursing, Business Administration
Campus Vibe
Commuter-friendly, service-oriented
Gender Balance
64.2% female, 35.8% male
Acceptance Rate
92.97%
Early Career Earnings
$36,427-$41,000
Students Receiving Aid
84%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$59,058
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
3.3×
Median debt at graduation
$23,000
Graduation rate
60%
First-year retention
72%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
48%
Pell (lower-income) share
65%
First-generation share
42%
Endowment / student
$23,267
Financial health
2.2 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$59,066
Criminal Justice and Corrections$41,342
Business Administration, Management and Operations$38,289
Legal Support Services$27,439
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
0
Per 1,000 students
0.00
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
91
Summer high
82°F
Winter low
23°F
Annual rain
37.6"
Annual snow
29.6"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively High
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
60
Scholarly works
561
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
1.6%
Bottom → top quintile
25%
From bottom quintile
7%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Madonna University?
Madonna University's acceptance rate is approximately 63% (Livonia, MI), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Madonna University?
Admitted students at Madonna University typically score 880–1080 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Madonna University cost?
At Madonna University, the average net price (after aid) is about $17,755 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Madonna University?
Madonna University enrolls approximately 1,632 undergraduate students.
Where is Madonna University located?
Madonna University is located in Livonia, MI.
Admissions
Madonna University is among the least selective institutions in Michigan, admitting 92.97% of applicants—a rate that has fluctuated recently, with admissions declining by 36.7% between 2023-2024 despite only a 7.25% drop in applications. The university is Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight., accepting students with SAT scores typically between 910–1140 or ACT scores of 18–24, though these are not required. Admissions materials emphasize Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone. over metrics, with the undergraduate catalog outlining requirements focused on completed applications rather than competitive benchmarks.
Key points:
Nearly open admissions policy (92.9-93% Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. across sources)
Test-optional since at least 2024 (no SAT/ACT requirement)
Recent volatility in applicant/admit numbers (-36.7% admissions year-over-year)
Serves predominantly local students seeking accessible pathways to degrees
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Madonna offers a pragmatic, career-oriented curriculum with over 60 bachelor's degrees and 30 graduate programs, heavily skewed toward health professions (the most popular major is nursing) and business administration. The university leans into flexibility—students can cobble together custom general studies degrees from 100+ undergraduate majors, and adult learners are courted through degree-completion programs. While not research-intensive, Madonna provides hands-on training in fields like criminal justice, education, and psychology, with graduate options including doctoral programs in nursing practice.
Notable features:
Health sciences dominate: Registered Nursing is the #1 major, followed by Business Administration
Hyper-flexible pathways: General Studies BA allows mixing concentrations from 100+ options
Adult learner focus: Degree-completion programs cater to working professionals
Graduate offerings: 30 master's and doctoral programs, mostly in applied fields
With just 1,839 undergraduates (64% female) and a commuter-heavy population, Madonna fosters intimacy through Catholic traditions and service projects like urban gardening initiatives. Residence life promotes a "living-learning atmosphere" in modest on-campus housing, while the library serves as a quiet hub for study groups. The vibe is unpretentious and community-oriented—Facebook posts showcase students bonding over volunteer work rather than raucous parties. Diversity initiatives are framed through the lens of Franciscan values, though the student body remains predominantly local.
Campus snapshot:
Demographics: 64.2% female, 35.8% male undergraduates (Fall 2024)
Housing: Small residential community focused on academic support
Culture: Service-oriented with Catholic identity (e.g., community outreach gardens)
Social media presence: Facebook page highlights low-key, values-driven activities
Madonna graduates earn modest early-career salaries—about $36,427-$41,000 annually—reflecting its emphasis on middle-class professions like nursing and teaching rather than high-finance or tech. The university touts a correlation between GPA and career success (3.0+ graduates fare better), though federal data suggests many students struggle to complete degrees on time. Outcomes are typical for a regional teaching college: solid job placement in Detroit-area healthcare and education, but limited national reach or high-earning potential.
By the numbers:
Early career earnings: $36,427 (Niche) to $41,000 (College Factual)
GPA impact: 3.0+ graduates report stronger career trajectories
Graduation rates: Below national averages (exact figures unavailable in sources)
Alumni network: Concentrated in Southeast Michigan industries
Madonna positions itself as an affordable private option, with 84% of first-years receiving Need-based aidFinancial aid awarded based on your family's ability to pay, as measured by forms like the FAFSA, rather than on achievements. averaging $22,034—bringing Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. down to $18,583 for many students. The university heavily promotes its net price calculator, acknowledging most attendees require substantial assistance. While sticker tuition is typical for Michigan privates (~$36,600), aggressive discounting through grants and scholarships (average package: $23,808) makes it accessible to working-class families.
Financial breakdown:
Sticker price: ~$36,600 (Schoolcraft Rd address implies reference to tuition)
Average aid package: $23,808 (75.53% of students receive aid)
Net price: $18,583 after aid for typical student
Need-based grants: $22,034 average for first-years (84% receive)
Madonna carves a niche as Detroit's most accessible Catholic university—a no-frills, high-touch alternative to larger regional competitors like University of Detroit Mercy. Its superpower is converting modest student profiles (sub-1140 SATs, often First-generation (first-gen)A student who would be the first in their immediate family to earn a four-year college degree. Many colleges consider this in context.) into nursing and education credentials with strong local employer connections. The Franciscan identity manifests more in service learning than doctrinal rigor, appealing to spiritually inclined but pragmatically minded Michiganders. While lacking prestige or research clout, Madonna delivers exactly what its demographic needs: affordable, flexible degrees with clear ROI in Southeast Michigan's job market.
