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 college in Adrian, Michigan, that operates on a fundamentally different wavelength than the high-pressure, high-selectivity institutions that dominate the rankings. Its character is defined by a pragmatic, hands-on approach to education, a notably supportive and close-knit campus community, and a mission-driven focus on serving first-generation and underrepresented students. This is a place where the journey matters as much as the destination, offering a personalized, values-oriented education that prioritizes student growth and social mobility over prestige.
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
Retention Rate
70%
Graduation Rate
39%
Median Earnings (10yr)
$57,529
Social Mobility Rank (U.S. News)
#56
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
34%
First-gen share (among federal-aid recipients)
44%
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
1.82
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 maintains an accessible admissions process, positioning itself as a welcoming option for a broad range of students. The university's is 69%, meaning it admits a significant majority of its applicants. The middle 50% SAT range for admitted students is 806–1073, indicating a or test-flexible environment where scores, while considered, are not the sole gatekeeper. The admissions office is open weekdays from 8am to 5pm and can be reached via phone or email. While the provided sources detail the mechanics of the —a collaborative effort among higher education data providers—they do not specify Siena Heights' stance on factors like demonstrated interest or its use of Early Decision. The process appears moderately selective, with a focus on creating an inclusive incoming class.
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.
Academics at Siena Heights are rooted in the liberal arts but are distinctly applied and career-focused. The university has been recognized as a College of Distinction, a designation that highlights institutions with a focus on hands-on learning, strong student-teacher relationships, vibrant campus life, and successful outcomes. The undergraduate academic catalog outlines programs leading to associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees. Popular majors, as indicated by graduate numbers, include Business, Nursing, and Criminal Justice and Safety Studies, pointing to a curriculum designed for direct entry into professional fields. The 70% part-time retention rate suggests a student body that includes many non-traditional or working students, which shapes the academic schedule and support services. The intimate scale fosters the close faculty-student relationships the university promotes.
Life on the Adrian campus is characterized by a strong sense of community and tradition. Descriptions of the student experience consistently highlight a welcoming, friendly, and supportive atmosphere among both peers and staff. The university supports a wide range of student organizations that contribute significantly to social and academic life. Campus spaces hold deep sentimental value for students and alumni; the Sage Union was a central hangout in the 1980s, and the courtyard between Ledwidge and Sacred Heart halls in front of Benicasa is remembered fondly as a beautiful and extraordinary part of campus. As a Catholic, liberal arts institution, the campus environment is infused with the values of its founding order, the Adrian Dominican Sisters, creating a close-knit setting where, as one video profile puts it, 'students have found a place to call home.'
Siena Heights' outcomes narrative is one of transformation and social mobility, particularly for its student demographic. The university's six-year graduation rate is 71%, which is notably above the national midpoint for four-year colleges. This success has earned Siena Heights national recognition for social mobility from U.S. News & World Report, where it ranked #56—a jump of 48 places from the previous year—based on its performance in graduating Pell Grant recipients and students. The median earnings for alumni ten years after entry are $57,529. These figures paint a picture of an institution that effectively supports students through to graduation and prepares them for financially stable careers, fulfilling its mission of elevating students from modest backgrounds.
The —the average annual cost for students after grants and scholarships—is a critical figure at Siena Heights. The average net price after aid is $17,124, which is below the national midpoint for four-year colleges. The university provides a Net Price Calculator to help families estimate their individual and potential aid. Financial aid packages include federal, state, and institutional sources. The university's financial aid office also provides information on alternative (private) loan lenders for students who need to borrow beyond federal loan limits, indicating that loans are a component of many aid packages. The sources do not indicate that Siena Heights has a 'no-loan' policy or that it meets 100% of demonstrated financial need solely with grants.
Siena Heights stands out precisely because it doesn't try to compete with the elite liberal arts colleges on their own terms. Its distinction lies in its unwavering commitment to a specific mission: providing a transformative, values-based education to students who are often overlooked by more selective institutions. Its recognition as a top performer in social mobility isn't just a ranking; it's the core outcome of its work. The campus vibe is less about competitive intensity and more about communal support—a place where the Sage Union and the courtyard by Benicasa become lifelong touchstones. It's a college of practical arts and applied learning (Business, Nursing, Criminal Justice) wrapped in a liberal arts and Catholic tradition, creating a unique ecosystem where students can find their footing, graduate at rates above the national average, and launch careers with solid earning potential. In a landscape obsessed with exclusivity, Siena Heights' power is in its purposeful inclusivity.
Siena Heights University seal · 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
