University of Detroit Mercy was recently ranked among the top 9% of U.S. colleges and universities for career earnings, placing it alongside some of the nation’s most competitive institutions -- and offering prospective students another compelling reason to consider the university.
The ranking comes from Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW), with a Return on Investment report that included 4,476 colleges.
The study measures long-term outcomes by calculating the net present value of a degree -- a metric that balances future earnings, educational costs and the time it takes for graduates to see a return on their investment. For Detroit Mercy alumni, the data is clear: Graduates can expect to earn more than $2.1 million over a 40-year career compared to peers without a college education.
For students deciding on their next step, that projected boost in lifetime earnings is a powerful motivator. But for Detroit Mercy’s leadership, the true value of a degree extends beyond financial gains.
“A college education is an investment today that can have one of the greatest impacts on our state, our economy and our nation,” said Debbie Stieffel, vice president for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs. “Not only does a Detroit Mercy education give graduates a leg-up on earnings over a lifetime, it also prepares them for meaningful lives by providing excellent student-centered undergraduate and graduate education that seeks to integrate the intellectual, spiritual, ethical and social development of its students.”
Current students echo this confidence. Junior Hisham Almadani, who is majoring in Communication Studies, said he sees the ranking as further motivation as he prepares for his future.
“I look forward to receiving my degree from a university that has constantly proven itself to be among the best,” Almadani said. “Such statistics only push me to work harder and prioritize my academics.”
The CEW recognition is one of several recent national distinctions for Detroit Mercy. In the 2026 rankings by The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse, Detroit Mercy placed No. 36 nationally -- ranking among the highest-performing schools in the Midwest and beyond.
According to this ranking, Detroit Mercy is:
- The No. 1 private university in Michigan.
- The No. 2 overall university in Michigan.
- The No. 2 Catholic university in the Midwest.
- The No. 3 Catholic university in the United States.
- The No. 2 university among all Association of Jesuit Colleges & Universities nationwide.
For families weighing the value of higher education, these accolades highlight Detroit Mercy’s growing reputation as an institution that delivers both meaningful academic experiences and strong long-term outcomes -- positioning graduates for successful careers and purposeful lives.
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