University of Detroit Mercy is a private nonprofit institution offering graduate degrees based in Detroit, Michigan. It enrolls 2,438 students (a mid-sized student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Strong
79/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes71
Value89
Affordability53
Selectivity53
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 75.4%, University of Detroit Mercy is broadly accessible to qualified applicants.
Acceptance Rate
75.4%
Easy
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1030 – 1260
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
22 – 28
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether University of Detroit Mercy is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Stable ↑
2.6 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending University of Detroit Mercy isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $15,232 per year. That's below the typical net price for private nonprofit colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$15,232
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
26%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
26%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees
$32,946
Room & Board (on-campus)
$10,952
Room & Board (off-campus)
$12,602
Books & Supplies
$1,422
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$3,184
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$9,768
Total Cost of Attendance
$42,211
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$13,088
$30,001 – $48,000
$11,290
$48,001 – $75,000
$14,173
$75,001 – $110,000
$15,584
Over $110,000
$21,691
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$3,00010%percentile
$7,50025%percentile
$23,250Medianpercentile
$31,00075%percentile
$41,90090%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $21,500
↓ $1,750
No Pell $18,750
↓ $4,500
Dependent students $19,203
↓ $4,047
Independent students $25,000
↑ $1,750
Female students $20,000
↓ $3,250
Male students $19,535
↓ $3,715
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $11,000, less than completers ($23,250), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
63% of full-time students who enrolled at University of Detroit Mercy graduate within six years, and 83% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
63%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
83%
Returning for their second year
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered University of Detroit Mercy earn a median of $71,030 ten years after first enrolling. That's above the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$71,030
Earning > $25K
86%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$49,700
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$62,300
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$51,500
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$53,800
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$56,100
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $12,600, about 20% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
6.2 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Strong. 82% of graduates are actively reducing their debt seven years out.
Who Studies Here
University of Detroit Mercy is home to 2,438 students, a mid-sized community.
Total Enrolled
2,438
Part-Time
8%
First-Generation
29%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 58.0%1,414
Black 11.1%270
Hispanic 8.7%212
International 7.6%185
Asian 7.3%177
Other 3.1%75
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at University of Detroit Mercy. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Large CityDetroit, Michigan
Housing
Partly residential965 beds available
Adult Learners
6%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
Designation
Religiously affiliated
What You Can Study
University of Detroit Mercy offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
72 distinct programs across
21 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at University of Detroit Mercy is 12:1, close to the national average.
Student : Faculty
12:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Endowment
$206M
Solid financial position
Avg Faculty Salary
$95,094
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
308 instructional faculty across 5 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
72
23%
$122,960
Associate Professors
105
34%
$98,148
Assistant Professors
102
33%
$78,853
Instructors
19
6%
$66,290
Lecturers
10
3%
$82,776
Pros & Cons of University of Detroit Mercy
A quick at-a-glance summary of how University of Detroit Mercy tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Below-average net price
Accessible admissions for most applicants
Small classes (low student-faculty ratio)
Above-average post-graduation earnings
CONS
No clear weaknesses in the data.
Best for:
Based on the data, University of Detroit Mercy is a fit for
students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier; students prioritizing post-graduation earnings.
Frequently Asked Questions about University of Detroit Mercy
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about University of Detroit Mercy.
Is University of Detroit Mercy hard to get into?
University of Detroit Mercy has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted. Acceptance rate: 75.4%.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Detroit Mercy?
University of Detroit Mercy has an acceptance rate of 75.4%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for University of Detroit Mercy?
The middle 50% of admitted students at University of Detroit Mercy scored between 1030 and 1260 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
What ACT score do you need for University of Detroit Mercy?
The middle 50% of admitted students at University of Detroit Mercy scored between 22 and 28 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does University of Detroit Mercy cost?
The average net price after aid at University of Detroit Mercy is $15,232 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is University of Detroit Mercy worth it?
Solid return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $71,030 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $15,232 per year. That's roughly 4.7x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is University of Detroit Mercy known for?
University of Detroit Mercy is best known for its programs in Nursing, Law, Dentistry. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do University of Detroit Mercy graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering University of Detroit Mercy are $71,030, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is University of Detroit Mercy accredited?
Yes. University of Detroit Mercy is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How many students attend University of Detroit Mercy?
University of Detroit Mercy enrolls 2,438 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at University of Detroit Mercy?
University of Detroit Mercy graduates 63% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is University of Detroit Mercy a public or private college?
University of Detroit Mercy is a Private Nonprofit institution.
Where is University of Detroit Mercy located?
University of Detroit Mercy is located in Detroit, Michigan.
What programs does University of Detroit Mercy offer?
University of Detroit Mercy offers 72 distinct programs. The most popular include Nursing, Law, Dentistry.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at University of Detroit Mercy?
The student-to-faculty ratio at University of Detroit Mercy is 12:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
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