
Milwaukee, WIprivate nonprofitwww.mtmary.edu/
Admit rate has ranged 53%–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.
Mount Mary University is a small, women-centered Catholic university in Milwaukee that operates with a clear, practical mission: to educate women for leadership and professional success. Its identity is defined by a supportive, tight-knit community, a career-focused curriculum spanning over 40 undergraduate programs, and a commitment to affordability through significant financial aid. This is not a place of cutthroat competition or sprawling Greek life, but rather a focused environment where students describe their experience as 'life-changing' and build the confidence to lead.
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
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Outcomes & value
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.
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Campus & location
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mount Mary's admissions process is moderately selective and designed to be accessible. The university does not have an open admission policy, requiring applicants to submit their academic records for review. While specific application priorities like demonstrated interest are not detailed in the provided sources, the process is characterized by its focus on building a diverse, capable class. The reflects a gateway that is competitive but not exclusionary, aiming to identify students who will thrive in its supportive, women-centered learning environment. Standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) are considered, with admitted student ranges providing a benchmark for prospective applicants.
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.
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.
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The academic engine at Mount Mary is its portfolio of over 40 undergraduate programs, all delivered within a supportive, women-centered learning environment. The curriculum is intensely practical, designed to connect directly to the workforce. The most popular majors cluster in high-demand fields like Health Professions and Related Programs, and Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services. This focus is complemented by distinctive programs in areas such as fashion design, computer science, social work, cybersecurity, and interior design. The university also offers 12 graduate programs. The academic culture is framed as a 'major benefit' when tackling tough assignments and a motivator for engagement, emphasizing the advantage of a learning community built around women's leadership and success.
Life on Mount Mary's Milwaukee campus is defined by its peaceful, friendly, and inclusive atmosphere. It's a small, tight-knit community where 29% of students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing, while 71% live off-campus. The university bills itself as more than just a school—it's a 'vibrant hub of community, engaging activities, and unwavering support.' Students actively describe it as the 'best school they've ever been to' and a 'life-changing experience.' The institution is committed to being an inclusive community that educates students from diverse circumstances. While the provided sources don't detail a vast array of clubs, the emphasis is on finding your place within a welcoming, supportive environment rather than a high-pressure social scene.
Mount Mary's outcomes reflect its mission to propel graduates into the workforce. The median earnings for graduates ten years after entry is a key metric of this long-term return on investment. Data shows graduates earning an average annual income approximately one year after graduation, with earnings growth evident five years out. The six-year graduation rate for all students and the rate for students who received a Pell Grant are tracked as indicators of student success and support. These figures, combined with the career-focused majors, paint a picture of a university oriented toward economic mobility and professional preparation for its students.
Affordability is a central pillar of Mount Mary's value proposition. The university encourages prospective students to use its Calculator to get an individualized estimate of costs after scholarships and grants. A significant majority of students receive financial aid, with the average aid package substantially reducing the sticker price. Mount Mary offers a mix of institutional scholarships (which may cover full or partial tuition), program-based awards, and options. The official Satisfactory Academic Progress policy outlines the requirements students must meet to maintain financial aid eligibility. This comprehensive approach to aid is designed to make a private, women-centered education accessible.
Mount Mary University stands out for its unwavering, singular focus: it is a women-centered university built on the principle that a supportive, inclusive community is the best foundation for professional and personal leadership. This isn't a minor footnote; it's the core of its identity. The academic offerings—over 40 undergraduate programs—are not a generic liberal arts catalog but a targeted collection of degrees in fields like nursing, business, fashion, and cybersecurity that are directly linked to career advancement. The environment is consistently described as 'peaceful,' 'friendly,' and 'life-changing' by students, a stark contrast to the impersonal feel of larger institutions. It combines this distinctive mission with a serious commitment to affordability through significant financial aid, making its focused brand of education a practical possibility. In a higher education landscape often chasing prestige or scale, Mount Mary confidently carves its own niche as a place where women are educated to lead.