

Pepper Pike, OHprivate nonprofitwww.ursuline.edu/
Admit rate has ranged 81%–85% over the last 5 years, though the latest figure above (75%) falls outside that window. 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 is a small, Catholic liberal arts college in Pepper Pike, Ohio, that operates with a distinctively supportive, community-first ethos. Its identity is shaped by a historic commitment to women's education—though now coeducational—and a practical academic focus anchored by powerhouse programs in nursing, art therapy, and dietetics. This is a place where the average student receives nearly $30,000 in aid, class sizes are intimate, and the campus vibe is described as a 'warm community' and an 'extended family.'
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.
Compare on earnings: best colleges for Nursing · best colleges for Psychology
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 is a broadly accessible institution with an admissions process characterized as 'somewhat selective' or 'less selective.' The is 75%. Admitted students typically present SAT scores in the 1006–1133 range, ACT scores between 20 and 26, and an average high school GPA around 3.46. The process is not a high-stakes numbers game; the college reviews a holistic profile. A critical metric for Ursuline is its rate—the percentage of accepted students who enroll—which is reported at a moderate level, around 21.5% to 22%. This indicates that while many are admitted, the college competes to convince them to attend. There is no mention of an Early Decision program with a binding commitment or a significantly higher acceptance rate for early applicants in the provided sources. The is the definitive source for understanding how the college weighs various factors in admissions, such as rigor of coursework, GPA, and essays, though Ursuline's specific CDS is not among the provided URLs.
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.
Academics at Ursuline blend a traditional liberal arts core with a strong, pragmatic emphasis on professional preparation. The college systematically builds 'the top skills employers seek: the ability to write well, speak well, and listen; to research, think critically, and solve problems.' This practical focus is evident in its most popular majors, which are dominated by high-demand fields: Registered Nursing, Social Work, Business Administration, Art Therapy, and Psychology. The curriculum offers a range of distinctive programs, including:
The academic experience is defined by its scale; students can expect 'academic rigor in exceptional programs that prepare you for professional success and are taught by' dedicated faculty, likely in small classroom settings. The college's 'Core Curriculum' is designed to be the foundation for this career-ready liberal arts education.
Life at Ursuline is intentionally curated to feel like a 'warm community' and an 'extended family that runs on collaboration and support.' With about 31% of students living on campus and 69% commuting, the college actively fosters connection through its Office of Student Activities, which 'educates, encourages and empowers student leaders' via campus programs and traditions. Students can choose from over 20 student organizations, with the college welcoming all 'to celebrate, learn, and grow with us as we embrace the richness of our community.' Independent reviews describe the campus environment as 'welcoming and inclusive, with a diverse student body representing various races, origins, and beliefs.' The college promotes a slate of engaging activities, events, and dialogues that aim to embody the Ursuline culture, suggesting a calendar filled with intentional programming rather than a sprawling Greek or athletic scene. The vibe is collaborative, supportive, and closely knit.
Outcomes for Ursuline graduates show a mix of solid career preparation and the challenges common to smaller, access-oriented institutions. The graduation rate is 67%. For those who graduate, career placement appears strong. According to a 2022 institutional outcomes report, 60.1% of graduates at all levels were employed, 88.2% were either employed or continuing their education, and 67.9% were employed in a field related to their degree. The U.S. Department of Education lists the median annual earnings of Ursuline graduates one year after graduation as $55,000. The median earnings ten years after entry are $56,878. These figures point to a return on investment that is meaningful, particularly when considered alongside the college's relatively low . The outcomes underscore Ursuline's mission: successfully preparing students, particularly in its flagship health and helping professions, for stable, meaningful work.
Ursuline College is aggressive in using financial aid to make its education accessible. The average after aid is $16,164. This affordability is driven by substantial institutional support. Last year, the average student financial aid package was $29,873. Aid is primarily need-based, with the Federal Pell Grant serving as a cornerstone for undergraduates with 'high financial need.' The college also utilizes Federal Direct Loans—both subsidized and unsubsidized—as a standard component of aid packages for those who demonstrate need. The provided sources do not indicate that Ursuline has a 'no-loan' policy or meets 100% of demonstrated need for all students without using loans. Instead, the strategy appears to be leveraging available federal, state, and institutional grants to significantly discount the sticker price, bringing it within reach for a broad population of students.
Ursuline College stands out for its unwavering commitment to a specific educational model: a small, supportive, values-based community that delivers a practical liberal arts education with high ROI. It is not trying to be a research university or a party school. Its distinctiveness lies in several interlocking features: