University of Detroit Mercy Scholarships (2025–2026)
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- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit scholarship tiers
- Competitive or departmental awards
- Honors, stacking, and how aid is packaged
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~89%
- Middle 50% ACT: 21–27
- Middle 50% SAT: 1060–1250
- Average HS GPA: ~3.6
Source: University of Detroit Mercy Common Data / admissions profile. Middle 50% = range where half of admitted students fall.
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Detroit Mercy at a Glance
Last verified: October 2025
University of Detroit Mercy offers significant merit-based scholarships that are awarded automatically during admission. While none guarantee full tuition across the board, tiered “Presidential” and “Mercy” awards substantially lower net cost for many students.
This guide will help you evaluate how Detroit Mercy packages together merit, need, and honors opportunities—and how to time applications for the best scholarship offers.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — Detroit Mercy is test-optional and considers submitted ACT/SAT scores when available.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 21–27; SAT: 1060–1250 (compiled from published profiles).
What’s the average net price? $18,645 (approximate, after grants/scholarships).
Does this school offer reciprocity or nonresident waivers? No — Detroit Mercy is a private institution; there is no in-state or reciprocity tuition discount. Merit and need-based aid apply to all students.
University COA page: https://www.udmercy.edu/admission/financial-aid/cost/
University Tuition & Fees page: https://www.udmercy.edu/current-students/accounting/tuition-fees.php
BigFuture cost profile: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/university-of-detroit-mercy/tuition-and-costs
Niche net price breakdown: https://www.niche.com/colleges/university-of-detroit-mercy/cost/
CollegeTuitionCompare overview: https://www.collegetuitioncompare.com/edu/169716/university-of-detroit-mercy/tuition/
💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Detroit Mercy
| Expense | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees | $33,604 | $33,604 |
| Housing & Meals (On-Campus Standard Plan) | $11,280 | $11,280 |
| Total Estimated Cost (Direct-Billed) | $44,884 | $44,884 |
Note: The table above includes only the costs billed directly to the university (tuition/fees, housing, meals). Additional estimated expenses not included in the table—such as books & supplies (~$1,468), travel (~$1,100), personal/miscellaneous (~$2,760) and loan fees (~$72)—are part of Detroit Mercy’s official Cost of Attendance budget but vary by student and are not paid directly to the college.
Reciprocity & Regional Programs: As a private institution, Detroit Mercy applies the same tuition for all students regardless of residency and does not participate in state tuition-reciprocity programs like WUE or MSEP. Merit and need-based awards are used instead to reduce cost.
Cost & Aid FAQ
Who qualifies for in-state rates?
Since Detroit Mercy is private, there is no in-state vs out-of-state discount — all students pay the same published tuition.
How much do families really pay?
The average family paid approximately $18,000–$18,200 per year after grants and scholarships based on federal data. Your net price could be higher or lower depending on academics and financial need.
Do I need to apply separately for tuition discounts?
No — the published tuition is the same for everyone, but merit scholarships are awarded automatically during admission review and filing the FAFSA positions you for need-based aid as well.
Undergraduate Cost of Attendance page: https://www.udmercy.edu/admission/financial-aid/cost/
Tuition & Fees schedule: https://www.udmercy.edu/current-students/accounting/tuition-fees.php
Net Price breakdown: https://www.niche.com/colleges/university-of-detroit-mercy/cost/
BigFuture cost profile: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/university-of-detroit-mercy/tuition-and-costs
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trustee Scholarship | Up to $15,000 per year | Strong GPA and curriculum | No | Yes — maintain 2.0 GPA, full-time | Top applicants with GPAs 3.7+* | Priority Dec 1; final July 1 (for Fall) |
| Dean’s Scholarship | Up to $12,000 per year | Solid academic record | No | Yes — maintain 2.0 GPA, full-time | Students in the 3.4–3.6 GPA range* | Priority Dec 1; final July 1 (for Fall) |
| Recognition/General Merit Awards | $5,000–$10,000 per year | Admitted students with good GPA | No | Yes — maintain 2.0 GPA, full-time | Students in the 3.0–3.3 GPA range* | Priority Dec 1; final July 1 (for Fall) |
| Commerce Academic Scholarship (Business majors) | Up to $16,000 per year | Business majors with strong GPA and curriculum; recommended ACT 30+ / SAT 1340+ | No | Yes — maintain 2.0 GPA, full-time | Business admits with GPA ~3.5+ and strong leadership/service | Priority Dec 1; final July 1 (for Fall) |
*GPA ranges are estimates based on past award patterns and public student profile data. Actual thresholds vary each year with the applicant pool and funding.
Automatic Merit FAQ
Do I need to apply separately for these awards?
No. All applicants are automatically considered during the admission review.
Does Detroit Mercy superscore ACT or SAT?
No. They use your highest composite score from a single sitting if you submit test scores.
Is Detroit Mercy test-optional?
Yes. You do not need test scores to be considered for scholarships — GPA and curriculum are enough.
Can I combine merit with other aid?
Often yes — merit can be combined with federal and state aid. But some Detroit Mercy merit awards cannot be stacked with other university grants or discounts. Always confirm with your financial aid package.
Detroit Mercy Admissions — https://www.udmercy.edu/admission/undergraduate/
Detroit Mercy Scholarships — https://www.udmercy.edu/admission/financial-aid/scholarships.php
Detroit Mercy Commerce Scholarship — https://www.udmercy.edu/admission/undergraduate/business-scholarships.php
Detroit Mercy Scholarship Portal — https://udmercy.academicworks.com/
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
Detroit Mercy does not publicly list additional first-year, university-wide competitive scholarships beyond general merit. In keeping with CRP transparency, the table below is intentionally left blank.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | What Makes It Competitive | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | No first-year university-wide competitive scholarships publicly listed | — | — | — |
Competitive Scholarships FAQ
Are there invite-only or interview-based awards for first-years?
None are publicly listed at the university-wide level. Check your academic department and the Honors section for selective opportunities tied to majors or programs.
Do test scores matter for competitive awards?
Detroit Mercy is test-optional. If you submit scores, the university reviews the highest single-test composite (they do not superscore).
Can competitive awards (if offered) stack with merit or need-based aid?
Often yes with federal/state aid, but some institutional awards cannot be combined with other university discounts covering the same charges. Always confirm stacking rules in your offer.
Where should I look next?
See 💎 Hidden Gems for niche programs (including transfer-only competitions) and 🎖️ Honors College for program-specific opportunities.
🎖️ Honors College
Detroit Mercy’s Honors Program is designed for students who want an extra layer of challenge and community. It combines small, discussion-driven classes with service-learning, leadership opportunities, and faculty mentorship. Admission is selective, but the focus is on finding students eager to push themselves both academically and personally.
GPA around 3.6+ in high school (sometimes higher), evidence of rigorous coursework, strong writing ability, and a demonstrated commitment to community service or leadership.
- Priority registration for classes
- Special Honors seminars and smaller class sizes
- Faculty mentorship and research opportunities
- Dedicated Honors advising and community service projects
- Honors housing option available
Honors Program FAQ
Is admission automatic?
No — students must apply or be invited. Applications are reviewed based on GPA, essays, and overall academic potential.
Does joining Honors add time to my degree?
No. Honors courses are designed to integrate into your regular degree plan, not extend it.
Are there scholarships tied directly to Honors?
Detroit Mercy does not publish dedicated Honors-only scholarships. Honors students typically combine their program experience with automatic merit and departmental awards.
When should I apply?
It’s best to apply when you submit your admission materials or shortly after. Priority deadlines vary by year, but early application maximizes consideration.
Detroit Mercy Honors Program — https://www.udmercy.edu/academics/honors-program.php
Detroit Mercy Scholarship Portal — https://udmercy.academicworks.com/
⭐ College Specialty
Detroit Mercy blends its Jesuit and Mercy traditions with professional programs that punch above their weight. While it’s a small private university, it has a big reputation in areas like dentistry, nursing, and law—fields that open direct pipelines to Michigan’s workforce. Families looking for a practical, career-ready education often choose Detroit Mercy because of these standout programs.
The School of Dentistry at Detroit Mercy is one of only two dental schools in Michigan and is consistently recognized statewide for producing practice-ready dentists. Its clinical training reputation makes it a destination program for healthcare-focused students.
- Nursing: Ranked among the top nursing schools in Michigan, with strong NCLEX pass rates and a well-respected graduate program.
- Law (Detroit Mercy Law): Nationally recognized for its dual U.S. and Canadian JD program—the only one of its kind in North America.
- Engineering: Offers long-standing co-op and industry partnerships; known statewide for placing graduates directly into automotive and tech careers.
- Architecture: Detroit Mercy’s School of Architecture is one of the oldest in Michigan, with a strong urban design focus tied to the city of Detroit.