Admit rate has ranged 65%–74% 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.
Siena Heights University is a small, Catholic liberal arts school in Adrian, Michigan, where flexibility meets personal attention. With an acceptance rate hovering around 68%, it's accessible yet purposeful, particularly strong in education and applied sciences. The campus vibe is tight-knit and supportive, with graduates praising its 'prepared, confident, employed' outcomes—though median earnings post-graduation lag slightly behind national averages.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
College-prep program
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Demonstrated competencies
TOEFL (non-native English)
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
1,495
In-state tuition
$30,778
Out-of-state tuition
$30,778
Campus Vibe
Close-knit, supportive, Catholic liberal arts
Acceptance Rate
68.9% (2024)
Notable Program
Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.)
6-Year Graduation Rate
51%
Median Earnings 1 Year After Graduation
$36,427
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$57,529
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
3.4×
Median debt at graduation
$18,750
Graduation rate
39%
First-year retention
70%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
53%
Pell (lower-income) share
59%
First-generation share
44%
Endowment / student
$9,926
Financial health
1.5 / 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$64,990
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions$62,012
Criminal Justice and Corrections$55,338
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General$45,198
Business Administration, Management and Operations$38,289
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
3
Per 1,000 students
2.01
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
82°F
Winter low
23°F
Annual rain
35.7"
Annual snow
27.7"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Low
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
27
Scholarly works
961
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
0.8%
Bottom → top quintile
13%
From bottom quintile
6%
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 Siena Heights University?
Siena Heights University's acceptance rate is approximately 69% (Adrian, MI), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Siena Heights University?
Admitted students at Siena Heights University typically score 806–1073 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Siena Heights University cost?
At Siena Heights University, the average net price (after aid) is about $17,124 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Siena Heights University?
Siena Heights University enrolls approximately 1,495 undergraduate students.
Where is Siena Heights University located?
Siena Heights University is located in Adrian, MI.
Admissions
Siena Heights University maintains a moderately selective admissions process, with an Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. that fluctuates between 66.55% and 73% depending on the year and source. The university accepts a majority of applicants, with ACT scores for admitted students typically ranging from 16 to 20. Notably, only 7% of accepted students submit ACT scores, suggesting a 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. or test-flexible policy. The undergraduate enrollment reflects a commitment to accessibility, with a graduation rate of 51%, indicating room for improvement in student retention and completion.
Siena Heights offers a blend of liberal arts and professional programs, with a standout Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) degree requiring 120 credit hours. The education program is particularly notable, with graduates describing themselves as 'prepared, confident, employed.' Faculty are praised for their willingness to accommodate students balancing academics with other responsibilities, fostering a flexible learning environment. The university's Catholic identity and liberal arts foundation are central to its academic mission, as highlighted in promotional materials.
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.
Accounting and Related Services
$38,289
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication$37,208
Education, General$37,208
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.
Student life at Siena Heights revolves around a close-knit, supportive community. The Division of Student Life emphasizes holistic growth—'mind, body, and spirit'—with spaces like the Ledwidge and Sacred Heart courtyard and Sage Union (a nostalgic hangout spot for alumni) serving as social hubs. Students describe the campus as welcoming and diverse, with a mix of quiet study spots and lively gathering areas. Weekend events, including rock bands in Sage Union, have historically been a draw.
Graduates of Siena Heights earn a median salary of $36,427 one year post-graduation, slightly below state and national averages. The university's six-year graduation rate ranks #1,016 out of 1,793 institutions nationally, reflecting its challenges with retention. While Money Magazine included SHU in its rankings (spot #658 in 2018), its outcomes are middling compared to peers. The education program's emphasis on employability stands out, but broader institutional performance is mixed.
Siena Heights' Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. averages $17,124–$17,740 after aid, with 100% of students receiving some form of financial assistance. The average grant award is $13,789, and institutional grants average $10,525. The university meets 82% of students' financial need, though this varies by family income. The Net Price Calculator helps estimate costs, but the sticker price before aid is steep for a regional institution with modest post-grad earnings.
Siena Heights distinguishes itself through its flexible, student-centered approach—particularly for non-traditional learners—and its strong education program that produces employable graduates. The campus's intimate scale fosters mentorship, and its Catholic identity adds a values-driven layer to the liberal arts curriculum. While not a powerhouse in rankings or outcomes, it offers a supportive environment where students describe feeling 'seen' by faculty. Its quirks, like the beloved courtyard between Ledwidge and Sacred Heart, give it a homespun charm rare in higher ed.
Siena Heights University logo · sourceSiena Heights University Announces Closure at the Conclusion of the 2025-2026 Academic Year – Siena Heights University · sourceSiena Heights University | College of Distinction · sourceSiena Heights University announces closure following 2025-26 academic year- Detroit Catholic · source
