

Pepper Pike, OHprivate nonprofitwww.ursuline.edu/
Admit rate has ranged 81%–85% over the last 5 years. 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.
Ursuline College, a small Catholic liberal arts school in Pepper Pike, Ohio, punches above its weight with a laser focus on upward mobility—ranked #1 nationally for moving low-income students into higher earnings brackets. Its nursing and art therapy programs draw regional acclaim, while an inclusive, tight-knit campus culture thrives on late-night pizza runs and Arrows athletics. With a 75% acceptance rate and median earnings of $56,878 a decade after enrollment, Ursuline delivers pragmatic outcomes without pretense.
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.
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.
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.
Ursuline College maintains an accessible admissions process with a 75% Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants., positioning it as 'somewhat selective' but far from cutthroat. Admitted students typically present SAT scores between 1000-1140 or ACT scores of 20-26, with 25th-75th percentile ranges spanning 953-1106 (SAT) and 17-23 (ACT). The college employs a rolling admissions policy, offering flexibility for applicants. Notably, First-generation (first-gen)A student who would be the first in their immediate family to earn a four-year college degree. Many colleges consider this in context. and low-income students make up a significant portion of the student body—a demographic Ursuline actively supports through its #1-ranked upward mobility programs.
Ursuline’s academic strengths cluster in healthcare and creative therapies, with Registered Nursing dominating as the most popular major (followed by Social Work and Art Therapy). The college offers niche programs like Art Therapy and alongside traditional liberal arts staples. Small class sizes—bolstered by an undisclosed but reportedly favorable student-faculty ratio—enable hands-on learning. The curriculum emphasizes professional preparation, with undergraduate programs explicitly designed to deliver 'academic rigor' for career success. Notably, Ursuline avoids the cookie-cutter approach of larger institutions, allowing tailored academic paths across its 30+ majors.
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.
Life at Ursuline orbits around intimate campus traditions and DIY energy. Only 31% of students live on campus (mostly in tight-knit residence halls), but commuters dive into activities like late-night pizza runs at Pilla Student Center and cheering for the Division II Arrows athletic teams. The Office of Student Activities fuels engagement with leadership programs and 20+ student organizations—from cultural clubs to impromptu groups formed by just five interested students. Instagram posts by @ursulinestudentlife reveal a calendar packed with open-mic nights, service projects, and wellness workshops. The vibe? 'Welcoming and inclusive,' per Niche reviews, with a dash of scrappy charm.
Ursuline’s outcomes tell a story of transformation: #1 nationally for student mobility, with graduates from low-income families achieving dramatic earnings gains. Median annual earnings hit $55,000 one year post-graduation, climbing to $56,878 after a decade—outpacing peer averages. The 6-year graduation rate sits at 53%, though retention rates (70%) suggest students who persist find value. These metrics reflect Ursuline’s mission-driven focus on accessibility and ROI, particularly for First-generation (first-gen)A student who would be the first in their immediate family to earn a four-year college degree. Many colleges consider this in context. and Pell-eligible students. Notably, nursing and art therapy alumni dominate regional healthcare and creative arts sectors.
Ursuline mitigates its $37,050 sticker price with aggressive aid: 94% of students receive assistance, averaging $29,873 annually. Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculators suggest many pay closer to $17,678 after grants and scholarships. The college employs a rolling financial aid notification system, with awards disclosed as early as December 1. While Ursuline doesn’t publicize its endowment size, its aid packages—often combining merit and need-based support—demonstrate a commitment to affordability. Pro tip: The Net Price Calculator on Ursuline’s site provides customized estimates, including book costs and hidden fees.
Ursuline defies the 'small college' stereotype by delivering outsized impact where it matters most: economic mobility. Its #1 national ranking for lifting low-income students into higher earnings brackets eclipses Ivy League benchmarks. The nursing program’s regional reputation and art therapy’s niche excellence anchor its academic identity, while a no-frills, community-first campus culture fosters belonging. This isn’t a place for climbing ivy towers—it’s where First-generation (first-gen)A student who would be the first in their immediate family to earn a four-year college degree. Many colleges consider this in context. students, career-changers, and future healthcare leaders find a launchpad without pretension. For Ohioans seeking ROI with a side of late-night pizza camaraderie, Ursuline is a hidden catalyst.