University of Detroit Mercy
#1 Best Bachelor's Programs in Michigan- Graduation Rate
- 68% B-
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $71,030 A
- Top 7% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $15,232 C+
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 75% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A B- overall grade — strong outcomes across the board. 26.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $26.0 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Bachelor's Programs in Michigan.
Every $1 spent returns $26.0 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,522,180.
What The Data Says
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A B- overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Graduates earn 74% more than the national college median.
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Inventor rate in the top 16% nationally — patents, startups, and new technology flow from its graduates.
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Every $1 invested returns $26.0 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 1.6%
- Top 16%
- Patents
- 31
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 47
- Downstream influence
Why University of Detroit Mercy Matters
University of Detroit Mercy is a private doctoral / professional university in Detroit, MI and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by an unusually high rate of inventors and patents and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 7% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Doctoral / Professional University
- Carnegie Class
- Doctoral/Professional
- Enrollment
- 2,438
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- 30
- Primary Strengths
- Engineering, Biology & Biomedical, Health Professions, Business & Marketing
Why students choose University of Detroit Mercy
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 75% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1030–1260. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $15,232 a year after grants and scholarships — 11% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $71,030 ten years after enrolling — 74% above the typical college, against $23,250 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.9% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 33% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.52 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
At the University of Detroit Mercy, students find a supportive environment that caters especially well to those interested in fields like engineering, health professions, and business. With an enrollment of about 2,438, the university offers a close-knit community where students can dive into their studies while receiving personalized attention from faculty. The 75% acceptance rate means that many students can find their place here, making it an accessible option for those looking to advance their education in practical and impactful ways.
After graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $71,030 within ten years, which is a solid figure that reflects the value of their degrees in the job market. The university's focus on career-oriented programs helps graduates secure positions that can lead to upward mobility. Affordability is also a strong point; with a net price of $15,232 after aid, many students can manage their education without overwhelming debt.
Speaking of debt, the median student loan debt here stands at $23,250, which is manageable for many graduates. Students who thrive at Detroit Mercy often value community and collaboration, enjoying the benefits of a diverse student body and a commitment to service. This environment nurtures both personal and professional growth, equipping graduates with the skills they need to succeed in their chosen careers.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective University of Detroit Mercy is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Detroit Mercy? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Detroit, Michigan, University of Detroit Mercy admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 75%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,134. The graduation rate is roughly 68%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 75%
- Retention Rate
- 83%
- SAT Average
- 1134
- ACT Midpoint
- 26
- SAT Range
- 1030–1260
- ACT Range
- 22–28
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,733
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.63
- First-Gen Students
- 29%
- Applicants
- 5,163
- Admitted
- 4,674
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Detroit Mercy? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Detroit Mercy is $32,946, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $15,232. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,088 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,250 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $32,946
- Out-of-State
- $32,946
- Avg Net Price
- $15,232
- Median Debt
- $23,250
- Pell Grant Rate
- 26%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 26%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $13,088
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $11,290
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $14,173
- Family Income $110K+
- $21,691
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at University of Detroit Mercy — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of Detroit Mercy Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Detroit Mercy earn a median of $71,030, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $64,534
- 8 Years
- $67,682
- 10 Years
- $71,030
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.33x
- Earning > $25K
- 76%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (272)
- 59%
- 100% (272)
- 59%
- 100% (272)
- 59%
- 100% (272)
- 59%
How University Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is University of Detroit Mercy Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of Detroit Mercy delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $15,232/year ($60,928 total). Graduates earn $71,030 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,583,108 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,522,180 (26.0× your investment). The median debt is $23,250, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 68% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $60,928
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,583,108
- Net Return
- $1,522,180
- ROI Multiple
- 26.0×
- Cost Per Year
- $15,232
- Median Debt
- $23,250
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 68%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does University of Detroit Mercy Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of Detroit Mercy is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.86%, well above the typical college. About 10% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 18.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $85,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.86%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 18.7%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 10.0%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $115,757
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
University of Detroit Mercy produces inventors at an above-average rate (top 16% nationally), with 31 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 1.56%
- Top 16% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 31
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 47
- Downstream influence
- Inventors From Low-Income
- 0.58%
- Bottom-20% families
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-14,463,184
Top Programs
The fields University of Detroit Mercy awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Engineering 45%
- Biology & Biomedical 18% $57,547 early-career
- Health Professions 15% $72,357 early-career
- Business & Marketing 5% $53,168 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 2%
- Psychology 2% $56,154 early-career
- Social Sciences 2%
- Criminal Justice 1%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of Detroit Mercy's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Detroit Mercy? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Detroit, Michigan, University of Detroit Mercy admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 75%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,134. The graduation rate is roughly 68%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Detroit Mercy? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Detroit Mercy is $32,946, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $15,232. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,088 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,250 in federal student loans.
Is University of Detroit Mercy Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Detroit Mercy earn a median of $71,030, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
Does University of Detroit Mercy Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of Detroit Mercy is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.86%, well above the typical college. About 10% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 18.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $85,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is University of Detroit Mercy? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Detroit Mercy. Its economic connectedness score is 1.52, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.04), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of Detroit Mercy.
- University of Connecticut-StamfordStamford, CT · Close peer57% grad $73,997 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Regis UniversityDenver, CO · Close peer61% grad $72,105 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of MaryBismarck, ND · Close peer67% grad $60,909 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Holy Family UniversityPhiladelphia, PA · Close peer61% grad $62,235 earn 71% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Widener UniversityChester, PA · Close peer66% grad $70,920 earn 71% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Pacific Lutheran UniversityTacoma, WA · Close peer70% grad $66,990 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of Detroit Mercy? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Detroit Mercy. Its economic connectedness score is 1.52, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.04), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note