{"id":8556,"date":"2025-10-01T11:29:11","date_gmt":"2025-10-01T15:29:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.udmercy.edu\/alumni\/?p=8556"},"modified":"2025-10-01T11:29:11","modified_gmt":"2025-10-01T15:29:11","slug":"udm-ranked-no-36-university-in-the-country-by-wall-street-journal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.udmercy.edu\/alumni\/2025\/10\/01\/udm-ranked-no-36-university-in-the-country-by-wall-street-journal\/","title":{"rendered":"UDM ranked No. 36 university in the country by Wall Street Journal"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8557\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sites.udmercy.edu\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/88\/2025\/10\/wsj-full.jpg?resize=1249%2C595&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Students walking on campus\" width=\"1249\" height=\"595\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sites.udmercy.edu\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/88\/2025\/10\/wsj-full.jpg?w=1900&amp;ssl=1 1900w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sites.udmercy.edu\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/88\/2025\/10\/wsj-full.jpg?resize=300%2C143&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sites.udmercy.edu\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/88\/2025\/10\/wsj-full.jpg?resize=1024%2C488&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sites.udmercy.edu\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/88\/2025\/10\/wsj-full.jpg?resize=768%2C366&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sites.udmercy.edu\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/88\/2025\/10\/wsj-full.jpg?resize=1536%2C732&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sites.udmercy.edu\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/88\/2025\/10\/wsj-full.jpg?resize=500%2C238&amp;ssl=1 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1249px) 100vw, 1249px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>University of Detroit Mercy has improved its national ranking in the\u00a0<em>Wall Street Journal<\/em>\/College Pulse 2026 survey of best universities in the country.<\/p>\n<p>This year, UDM ranked No. 36, seven places higher than last year.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere is so much great work being done every single day, year in and year out at Detroit Mercy and this ranking reflects that,\u201d said UDM President Donald B. Taylor. \u201cUDM is making a difference in the lives of our students, our neighborhood, our hometown of Detroit and our nation. It\u2019s gratifying to be recognized for that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0<em>Wall Street Journal<\/em>\/College Pulse rankings \u2014 first released three years ago \u2014 focus on student outcomes rather than inputs, highlighting the tangible value a school delivers to its students.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to the overall ranking, the\u00a0<em>Wall Street Journal<\/em>\/College Pulse study evaluates colleges on several key measures. Social mobility recognizes universities that enroll a high proportion of students from lower-income families, while maintaining strong graduation rates and positive salary outcomes. Salary impact measures how graduates\u2019 earnings compare to expectations, relative to the cost of attending.<\/p>\n<p>The Best Value ranking considers how quickly graduates\u2019 salary advantages pay back the average net price of a degree \u2014 measured as \u201cyears to pay off net price.\u201d An additional ranking is based on a large-scale student survey, which captures the quality of the learning environment and overall student experience. This year, the survey reflected feedback from more than 110,000 students nationwide. Earlier this month,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.udmercy.edu\/about\/news\/articles\/2025\/09-23-us-news-world-report-rankings.php\">the University also ranked No. 22 nationally in the Best Value Schools category in the\u00a0<em>U.S. News &amp; World Report<\/em>\u00a02026 \u2018Best Colleges\u2019 edition<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>UDM\u2019s 2026\u00a0<em>Wall Street Journal<\/em>\/College Pulse rankings are as follows:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>No. 27 out of 584 schools for social mobility, up from 39 in the 2025 ranking<\/li>\n<li>309 in student experience, up from 411 last year<\/li>\n<li>52 in best salaries<\/li>\n<li>103 in best value<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The 2026 ranking also means that UDM is:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The No. 1 ranked private university in Michigan<\/li>\n<li>The second-highest ranked university in Michigan<\/li>\n<li>The No. 2 ranked Catholic university in the Midwest<\/li>\n<li>The No. 3 ranked Catholic university in the United States<\/li>\n<li>The No. 2 ranked university among all Association of Jesuit Colleges &amp; Universities in the country<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-8560 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sites.udmercy.edu\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/88\/2025\/10\/wsj-column-1.jpg?resize=300%2C225&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Engineering student\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sites.udmercy.edu\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/88\/2025\/10\/wsj-column-1.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sites.udmercy.edu\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/88\/2025\/10\/wsj-column-1.jpg?resize=266%2C200&amp;ssl=1 266w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sites.udmercy.edu\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/88\/2025\/10\/wsj-column-1.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sites.udmercy.edu\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/88\/2025\/10\/wsj-column-1.jpg?resize=333%2C250&amp;ssl=1 333w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sites.udmercy.edu\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/88\/2025\/10\/wsj-column-1.jpg?w=770&amp;ssl=1 770w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>Additionally, UDM ranks in the top 9% of 4,476 colleges and universities nationwide for salary earned by graduates over a period of 15 to 40 years during their career according to Georgetown University\u2019s Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) research report\u00a0<em>Ranking 4,476 Colleges by ROI (2025)<\/em>. This means that Detroit Mercy graduates can expect to earn more than $2.1 million in salary over their 40-year career compared with those who forgo a college education.<\/p>\n<p>Impressive national rankings over the last three years have led, in part, to record enrollment at UDM for freshmen. This year\u2019s first-year enrollment is 672, which is higher than last year\u2019s record first-year count of 651. In addition, transfer student enrollment is also up to 181, a significant jump from the previous year\u2019s count of 158.<\/p>\n<p>Since the fall of 2024, UDM\u2019s total enrollment is up 191 students. This fall, the University welcomed 5,778 full and part-time students. Most importantly, UDM\u2019s second-year retention rate has increased to 84.2%, higher than the previous three-year average of 83.8%,<\/p>\n<p>For Debbie Stieffel, vice president for Enrollment Management &amp; Student Affairs, these results are far more than a number in a ranking.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey are a powerful affirmation of the university\u2019s commitment to each student\u2019s wellbeing and success\u2014both in their careers and in their lives. This recognition reflects the tireless dedication of faculty and staff who believe deeply in our students\u2019 potential, and it celebrates the determination, resilience, and accomplishments of the students themselves.\u201d Stieffel said.<\/p>\n<p>Current students are elated at the new WSJ ranking and understand why UDM continues to move up in rankings each year.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSeeing Detroit Mercy ranked 36th in the nation makes me really proud to be a student here,&#8221; said\u00a0Alexandria\u00a0Jarbo, a senior Biology major in the College of Engineering &amp; Science\u2019s Pre-Physician Assistant program. &#8220;It reflects how much the professors and community truly care about our success, and it reminds me that I made the right choice coming to UDM. It\u2019s exciting to know that the hard work happening here is being recognized.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>A Commitment to Expanded Offerings<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-8559\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sites.udmercy.edu\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/88\/2025\/10\/wsj-side-2.jpg?resize=400%2C267&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Students in a class discussion\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sites.udmercy.edu\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/88\/2025\/10\/wsj-side-2.jpg?w=400&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sites.udmercy.edu\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/88\/2025\/10\/wsj-side-2.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sites.udmercy.edu\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/88\/2025\/10\/wsj-side-2.jpg?resize=375%2C250&amp;ssl=1 375w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>UDM\u2019s focus on student achievement and success is reflected by a commitment to offer new schools and programs.<\/p>\n<p>This fall, the University welcomed the first class of the newly established School of Optometry. In addition, UDM launched a new\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.udmercy.edu\/about\/news\/articles\/2025\/05-27-first-cohort-accelerated-doctor-of-optometry.php\">accelerated seven-year Doctor of Optometry Program<\/a>. This new school and the Detroit Mercy Eye Institute represent a significant step toward addressing the growing demand for eye care professionals in the state and region.<\/p>\n<p>Also this fall, the\u00a0College of Health Professions (CHP) created the School of Health &amp; Rehabilitation Sciences, through which two new bachelor\u2019s degree programs are now available. \u00a0Students pursuing careers in healthcare can now choose from degrees in Health Science and Sports &amp; Exercise Sciences, both designed to prepare graduates for impactful roles across the evolving health sector.<\/p>\n<p>The School of Law recently announced the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.udmercy.edu\/about\/news\/articles\/2025\/09-08-online-jd.php\">launch of the state of Michigan\u2019s first online J.D. program<\/a>, which continues Detroit Mercy Law\u2019s mission to increase accessibility to legal education. The four-year program will be mostly asynchronous, with some upper-level courses such as the award-winning clinic portion taught synchronously.<\/p>\n<p>Lastly, the University\u2019s School of Dentistry welcomed the first cohort of students who will pursue their Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University\u2019s new campus in Vermont.<\/p>\n<p>For President Taylor, this is only a beginning. With UDM preparing to celebrate its 150th anniversary and commitment to Detroit in 2027, there are more great things to come for the institution and its home community.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI don\u2019t think there has ever been a more exciting time to be part of University of Detroit Mercy and our great city,\u201d said Taylor. \u201cYou can feel the energy on campus, in our neighborhood, downtown and throughout SE Michigan. Achieving a No. 36 rank in the U.S. is not only great for UDM, it\u2019s great for our city and indeed the entire state.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>University of Detroit Mercy has improved its national ranking in the\u00a0Wall Street Journal\/College Pulse 2026 survey of best universities in the country. This year, UDM ranked No. 36, seven places higher than last year. \u201cThere is so much great work being done every single day, year in and year out &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":66,"featured_media":8559,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[30],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sites.udmercy.edu\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/88\/2025\/10\/wsj-side-2.jpg?fit=400%2C267&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8Kcng-2e0","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.udmercy.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8556"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.udmercy.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.udmercy.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.udmercy.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/66"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.udmercy.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8556"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/sites.udmercy.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8556\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8561,"href":"https:\/\/sites.udmercy.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8556\/revisions\/8561"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.udmercy.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8559"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.udmercy.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8556"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.udmercy.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8556"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.udmercy.edu\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8556"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}