Admit rate has ranged 77%–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.
The University of Detroit Mercy is a Jesuit and Mercy institution that blends rigorous academics with a commitment to community service and spiritual growth. Known for its strong health sciences programs and intimate 12:1 student-faculty ratio, UDM offers a tight-knit urban campus experience where 98% of graduates land jobs or further education within six months. With a 76% acceptance rate and test-optional admissions, it's accessible yet maintains academic rigor.
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)
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Demonstrated competencies
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
2,438
In-state tuition
$32,946
Out-of-state tuition
$32,946
Acceptance Rate
76%
Avg Need-Based Aid
$31,298
First-Year Retention
83.5%
Student-Faculty Ratio
12:1
6-Year Graduation Rate
68.1%
Post-Grad Success (2022)
98% employed/grad school
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$71,030
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
4.7×
Median debt at graduation
$23,250
Graduation rate
67%
First-year retention
83%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
69%
Pell (lower-income) share
49%
First-generation share
29%
Endowment / student
$44,532
Financial health
2.7 / 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$60,897
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology$48,432
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions$48,041
Business Administration, Management and Operations$44,747
Biology, General$42,682
Public Health
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
2
Per 1,000 students
0.82
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
87
Summer high
82°F
Winter low
23°F
Annual rain
38.1"
Annual snow
29.3"
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
122
Scholarly works
6,024
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
1.9%
Bottom → top quintile
19%
From bottom quintile
10%
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 University of Detroit Mercy?
University of Detroit Mercy's acceptance rate is approximately 75% (Detroit, MI), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for University of Detroit Mercy?
Admitted students at University of Detroit Mercy typically score 1030–1260 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does University of Detroit Mercy cost?
At University of Detroit Mercy, the average net price (after aid) is about $15,232 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend University of Detroit Mercy?
University of Detroit Mercy enrolls approximately 2,438 undergraduate students.
Where is University of Detroit Mercy located?
University of Detroit Mercy is located in Detroit, MI.
Admissions
Detroit Mercy's admissions process is moderately selective, with a 76% acceptance rate (fall 2023 data). The middle 50% of admitted students typically score between 1030–1250 on the SAT or 22–28 on the ACT, though 51% of fall 2024 first-years applied test-optional. Half of admitted students had a GPA of 3.75+, and the regular decision deadline is March 1. The Common Application is accepted, and a recommendation letter is required (though some programs may have additional requirements). Notably, 65% of undergraduates receive financial aid, softening the $33,606 sticker price.
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.
$36,141
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
UDM offers 100+ undergraduate and graduate programs, with particular strength in health sciences (including nursing and pre-professional tracks) and liberal arts (15 majors, 19 minors in CHASS alone). The 12:1 student-faculty ratio ensures small classes—43.6% have fewer than 20 students—and personalized attention. Rooted in Jesuit and Mercy traditions, the curriculum emphasizes 'educating the whole person' through service-learning and spirituality integration. Accelerated degree options and interdisciplinary programs (e.g., health sciences with business/law tracks) cater to career-focused students.
A commuter-heavy campus (only 22% live on-site), UDM compensates with active student organizations, Greek life, and Division I athletics (Horizon League). The Student Life Office curates events from intramurals to spiritual retreats, while Instagram showcases a lively calendar of DIY workshops and Detroit-centric outings. Campus ministry plays a visible role, aligning with the school’s mission. Safety resources and work-study programs are robust, but the real draw is proximity to Detroit’s cultural scene—students often intern at nearby hospitals or startups.
UDM delivers on ROI: 98% of 2022 grads were employed or in grad school within six months, with alumni earnings in the top 9% nationally. The six-year graduation rate is 68.1%, bolstered by an 83.5% first-year retention rate (above national averages). Student-athletes excel academically, posting a 91% NCAA Graduation Success Rate. Nursing programs report strong licensure pass rates, and the Career Education Center touts partnerships with Detroit’s major employers (e.g., Henry Ford Health, GM).
Tuition runs $33,606, but 68% of first-years receive need-based aid, averaging $31,298. After grants, the net price drops to ~$24,248 for many. The school offers its own Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. Calculator and emphasizes affordability—especially for Michigan residents. Merit scholarships (like the Presidential Scholarship) reward high achievers, while federal work-study helps offset costs. Graduate and professional programs have separate aid structures.
Detroit Mercy merges Jesuit intellectual rigor with Mercy’s social justice ethos, offering a rare urban-Catholic hybrid. Its health sciences pipeline (nursing, dentistry, physician assistant) leverages Detroit’s medical hub status, while small classes foster mentorship. The 98% career outcomes rate defies its modest rankings, and the 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. policy widens access. For students seeking a values-driven education with Detroit hustle, UDM punches above its weight.
University of Detroit Mercy logo · sourceLocation, Maps and Directions | University of Detroit Mercy · sourceLocation, Maps and Directions | University of Detroit Mercy · sourceUniversity of Detroit Mercy: A Campus on the Move — The Monahan Company · source
