Admit rate has ranged 54%–63% 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 St. Joseph University is a small, Catholic liberal arts institution in Cincinnati that operates with the quiet confidence of a school that knows its mission: to turn out dedicated professionals through hands-on, individualized education. With a 59% acceptance rate and a focus on health sciences, business, and the arts, the Mount offers a pragmatic, community-focused alternative to Ohio's giant public flagships. Its 56% graduation rate and $51,509 median earnings a decade out reflect a student body that is often first-generation and career-oriented, finding its footing in a supportive, residential-lite campus where nearly three-quarters of students live off-site.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
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
1,129
In-state tuition
$38,150
Out-of-state tuition
$38,150
On-Campus Housing
28% of students
Early Decision Plan
Not offered
Career Outcomes Rate
98.5%
Median Earnings (10yr)
$51,509
Six-Year Graduation Rate
56%
First-Year Retention Rate
73.6%
Students Receiving Grant/Scholarship Aid
100%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$51,509
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
3.1×
Median debt at graduation
$26,827
Graduation rate
56%
First-year retention
69%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
59%
Pell (lower-income) share
30%
First-gen share (among federal-aid recipients)
38%
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$57,318
Business Administration, Management and Operations$40,821
Design and Applied Arts$36,941
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$33,993
Communication and Media Studies$33,281
Criminology
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
1
Per 1,000 students
0.54
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
90
Summer high
84°F
Winter low
29°F
Annual rain
43.5"
Annual snow
14.3"
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
72
Scholarly works
830
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.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Mount St. Joseph University?
Mount St. Joseph University's acceptance rate is approximately 59% (Cincinnati, OH), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Mount St. Joseph University?
Admitted students at Mount St. Joseph University typically score 930–1140 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Mount St. Joseph University cost?
At Mount St. Joseph University, the average net price (after aid) is about $16,530 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Mount St. Joseph University?
Mount St. Joseph University enrolls approximately 1,129 undergraduate students.
Where is Mount St. Joseph University located?
Mount St. Joseph University is located in Cincinnati, OH.
Admissions
Mount St. Joseph's admissions process is moderately selective, accepting about 59% of applicants annually—roughly 1,200 students from an applicant pool of around 2,076. The university does not offer an Early Decision plan, operating on a regular admissions timeline with an application deadline of August 8. The middle 50% of admitted students present SAT scores between 930 and 1140, ACT scores between 20 and 28, and a high school GPA that is frequently 3.5 or above. The process is straightforward: prospective first-year students submit an application and a $50 non-refundable fee. While the for peer institutions outlines that colleges can consider 'demonstrated interest' as an admission factor, the provided sources do not specify Mount St. Joseph's specific policy on this matter. The rate—the percentage of admitted students who enroll—is reported at 24.6%.
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.
$33,281
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$32,925
Biology, General$29,685
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.
The academic experience at the Mount is built on a liberal arts and sciences foundation designed to produce critical thinkers and skilled communicators, with a sharp, practical tilt toward career preparation. The university emphasizes 'integrative academic programs' and 'highly-individualized attention.' Popular majors reflect this blend: Psychology (6% of degrees), Visual and Performing Arts (5%), and Liberal Arts and Sciences/General Studies (4%) are among the most conferred. The institution also highlights strengths in business, finance, general management, and marketing, noting a top 75 online MBA program. Health professions are a clear focus, with dedicated majors like Health and Exercise Science, which provides a foundation in human physiology and movement science for careers in health and wellness. The academic structure supports exploration with a range of majors, minors, and programs, and the university's Strategic Plan 2030 commits to advancing this integrative model.
Life at the Mount centers on a 'welcoming community' where students are encouraged to discover purpose and build lifelong friendships. The campus vibe is active but not overwhelmingly residential; only 28% of students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing, while 72% live off campus. Student life is supported by a range of clubs, educational, cultural, social, spiritual, wellness, and multicultural programs offered both on and off campus. The university promotes itself as more than just a campus—it's a place for self-discovery and creating lasting memories. This suggests a close-knit environment where involvement is encouraged but not forced, catering to a mix of traditional residential students and commuters from the greater Cincinnati area.
Mount St. Joseph University measures success through strong career placement and steady, if not spectacular, graduation rates. The most striking figure is a 98.5% career outcomes rate. The six-year graduation rate is 56%, with a first-year retention rate of 73.6%. Outcomes data shows a gap in performance based on economic background: non-Pell Grant recipients graduate at a rate 13 percentage points higher than Pell recipients. The median earnings ten years after entry are $51,509. These numbers paint a picture of a university serving a significant population of students who may need additional support to cross the finish line, but who find solid professional footing upon doing so.
Affordability is a key part of the Mount's appeal. The average after aid is $16,530. The university is aggressive with institutional aid, reporting that 100% of full-time beginning undergraduates receive grant or scholarship aid. For the 2025 academic year, the average scholarship/grant award for full-time traditional undergraduates was $32,647.26, and for traditional first-year students, it was $32,647.26. Financial aid is based on demonstrated financial need calculated from the FAFSA. The university offers a Net Price Calculator for families to estimate costs. The provided sources do not indicate that Mount St. Joseph University has a policy of meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students, nor do they describe a 'no-loan' policy where loans are replaced with grants.
Mount St. Joseph University stands out for its unapologetically practical mission wrapped in a liberal arts context. It doesn't try to be a research giant or a party school; it aims to be the reliable, hands-on engine for and career-focused students in the Cincinnati region. Its singular strength is a near-perfect 98.5% career outcomes rate, demonstrating a tight integration between academics and the professional world. The campus culture is defined by individualized attention and a community feel, even as most students live off-campus. It's a university that knows its identity: a small, Catholic institution where the path from classroom to career is short, clear, and well-supported, making it a compelling value proposition for students seeking a direct and personalized route to a professional life.
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