·Private (Catholic, co-sponsored by Society of Jesus and Sisters of Mercy)·Est. 1877
“Michigan's largest Catholic university — a Jesuit and Mercy co-sponsored institution with top pre-professional programs in dentistry, engineering, architecture, and health sciences.”
The University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) is a private Catholic research university in Detroit, Michigan, and the largest and most comprehensive Catholic university in the state. Formed in 1990 by the merger of the University of Detroit (founded 1877 by the Society of Jesus) and Mercy College of Detroit (founded 1941 by the Sisters of Mercy), Detroit Mercy is the only university in the world co-sponsored by both the Jesuits and the Sisters of Mercy — a heritage that defines its dual commitment to rigorous intellectual inquiry and to mercy, justice, and service. UDM enrolls roughly 5,000 students across eight colleges and schools: the College of Liberal Arts & Education, the College of Engineering & Science, the College of Business Administration, the College of Health Professions / McAuley School of Nursing, the School of Architecture & Community Development, the School of Dentistry, the School of Law, and the College of Engineering & Science. Detroit Mercy has long been nationally recognized for architecture (one of the best programs in the Midwest), dental education (the only dental school in Michigan with a co-located dental clinic that serves underserved Detroit communities), and pre-health pipelines (nursing, biology, dental hygiene, biomedical sciences). The College of Engineering & Science offers the only co-op-required engineering programs in Detroit, with rotations through Ford, GM, Stellantis, FCA, and other Big-3 partners. For international students, Detroit Mercy offers small class sizes (11:1 student-faculty ratio), strong merit-based scholarships, mission-aligned campus services, and a location in the heart of Detroit's auto and healthcare industries. The McNichols Campus (main undergraduate), Corktown Campus (Law and Dentistry), and the Riverfront Campus combine into a compact, urban experience with easy access to internships at the Detroit Medical Center, the Big-3 automakers, and downtown Detroit's revitalized core.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourceThe deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Tuition & Fees (All Students)
$32,946 – $33,605
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
ABET-accredited engineering programs with required co-operative education through Detroit Big-3 automakers and Tier-1 suppliers. Strong physics, mathematics, biology, and chemistry departments alongside engineering.
Direct-admit BSN program with rotations across the Detroit Medical Center, Henry Ford Health, and Beaumont Health.
The only dental school in Michigan, training nearly half of the state's practicing dentists. Co-located with the Riverfront Dental Clinic serving underserved Detroit communities.
Nationally recognized architecture school with a community-engaged design ethos focused on Detroit revitalization.
AACSB-accredited business school with strong programs in accounting, finance, marketing, and the new sport management track.
Founded 1912; ABA-accredited law school in Detroit's Corktown neighborhood with a strong intellectual property and dual-degree (JD/MBA) tradition.
7 years
Selective direct-entry program guaranteeing admission to the Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry — the only dental school in Michigan. Note: this program continues to require SAT/ACT for Fall 2026 applicants (test-optional NOT available for this pathway).
5 years
ABET-accredited, STEM-designated program with required cooperative education across Detroit Big-3 automakers and Tier-1 suppliers. Eligible for 24-month STEM OPT extension.
5 years
Pre-professional architecture path leading to the NAAB-accredited Master of Architecture. Detroit-focused community design studios; strong placement in Midwest architecture firms.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $32,946
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
