University Benchmarks

Ranking the Top 100 Academic Universities

UniversityBenchmarks.com ranks the universities that attract and produce the best academic students.

There are many 'University Rankings' on the internet. Most rankings rely heavily on subjective metrics like 'reputation' and 'selectivity'. UniversityBenchmarks is purely an academic ranking model. The rankings are based on the reported academic and financial metrics of the colleges. There are no subjective factors like 'reputation' that are used. The calculations are performed using normal statistical models. All universities are considered equal and there is no weighting of the ranking categories.

The university 2014-2015 dataset is comprised of over 2400 US Universities & Colleges and comes from multiple sources using the most favorable reported metrics for a university.

The universities are ranked against each other in each filtered set. It is an iterative process whereby lower ranking universities are removed and the set is re-ranked until the final set of 100 is reached.

Selecting 'Rank Top 10 Only' will show the Top 10 for each filter category ranked against each other.

The academic rankings of the universities within the major conferences (ACC, Big12, Big10, Pac12, SEC) are available.

The 2017 rankings will be available in August.

Notes:
  • It is possible for universities to be ranked higher/lower than one another depending on the filter set.
  • Conference averages are based on the top 8 schools in the conference.
  • Public Schools are highlighted
  • Clicking on the university's seal icon will take you to the university's website.

Ranking Fields

Rank - Overall rank based on the average of the ranking fields (Scores, Difficulty, Smartest, Brainpower, Faculty and Research).

Scores - SAT & ACT scores. The university's test scores are corrected for dropout rate when score level is Good, Excellent or Elite. This will slightly boost scores for highly competitive schools.

Difficulty - Academic rigor is estimated based on how difficult it is to get an "A" at the university. An estimated GPA at the university is calculated for the average US Student. University grade inflation, average GPA, and STEM density are factors.

Smartest - University that can field the highest scoring students based on the average US University size. Higher Smartest Rank = "Smartest for the Average University"

Brainpower - The average "smartest" rank using 5 reference populations (CalTech, MIT, Stanford, GaTech and Berkeley). Higher Brainpower Rank = "Higher Density of Smart Students". The university ranked higher can mathematically field 'X' number of smarter students than universities ranked below them.

Faculty - Ranking based on number of % of faculty with awards and academy membership.

Research - Ranking is achieved by iteratively ranking the average of 3 research metrics (r-pop, r-stem, r-other ). The lowest ranked college is then removed and the new set is re-ranked. The result is the schools with potentially the strongest research environments per student bubble up to the top regardless of size or research budget.

  • r-pop - Average research spending for student population
  • r-stem - STEM research spending
  • r-other - Other/Medical/Health research spending

Salary ROI - "Salary Return on Investment" is not used in the overall ranking but is provided for additional information. Using the undergraduate average starting and mid-career salaries, the rank is based on a 20yr salary accumulation (with raises) minus the cost of a 4 year education at the university. Salaries are normalized across the country using the average COLA for the university's geo-economic region (7 regions total). The COLA effect is diminished by the level of the university. Elite, Excellent and Good universities have a greater distribution of graduates across the country and a diminishing COLA effect. The resultant value would be the graduate's spending potential over the 20yr period.

Overall ROI - "Overall Return on Investment" is not used in the overall ranking but is provided for additional information. The average of Overall Rank and Salary ROI. This would be the "Best academic bang for the buck". Colleges that produce the best education, at the best price, with the best return will be ranked higher.

Color Key - ranks are colorized as follows 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 50 100

The 2016 University Academic Rankings

University of Detroit Mercy

2016 University Academic Rankings
University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) is a private, Roman Catholic co-educational university in Detroit, Michigan, United States, affiliated with the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) and the Sisters of Mercy. Antoine M. Garibaldi, Ph.D., is the president. With origins dating from 1877, it is the largest Roman Catholic university in Michigan. UDM is one of the 28-member Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities in the United States. Located across three campuses in Detroit, the school offers more than a hundred academic degrees and programs of study, including liberal arts, clinical psychology, business, dentistry, education, law, engineering, architecture, nursing and allied health professions.

UDM was ranked in the top tier of Midwestern regional universities in the 2015 edition of the U.S. News & World Report "Best Colleges" rankings and has been for over a decade. In athletics, the University sponsors 19 NCAA Division I level varsity sports for men and women, and is a member of the Horizon League.

History

University of Detroit Mercy's origin dates back to 1877 with the founding of Detroit College by the Society of Jesus, under the leadership of John Baptist Miège, S.J. The college developed into the University of Detroit, and in 1927 Fr. John P. McNichols, S.J., the then president of U of D, established a second campus. In 1941, the Sisters of Mercy opened Mercy College of Detroit. In 1990 these two schools consolidated to become University of Detroit Mercy.

Colleges and campuses

The McNichols Campus is located at 4001 W. McNichols Road, on the southeast corner of McNichols Road and Livernois Avenue, in northwest Detroit (near the University District, Pilgrim Village and Palmer Woods neighborhoods). The majority of the University's undergraduate and graduate programs are offered on this campus, as well as the University's main administration and athletic facilities like Calihan Hall. It is also the location of all six student residence halls.

Aside from UDM's own campuses, the University offers undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs at Macomb University Center in Clinton Township, Mich. and at the Wayne County Community College District (WCCCD) University Center in Harper Woods, Mich. UDM has also partnered with Aquinas College and St. Mary Mercy Hospital in Grand Rapids, Mich. to offer a Nursing prelicensure program.

A former campus at 8200 West Outer Drive in Detroit was home to Mercy College of Detroit from 1941 until consolidation in 1990. As part of University of Detroit Mercy, the Outer Drive Campus hosted UDM's Dentistry Clinic starting in 1997. UDM agreed to sell the Outer Drive Campus to WCCCD in 2003, and the UDM School of Dentistry and Clinic moved to the Corktown Campus in January 2008.

Law clinics

In 1965 University of Detroit's Urban Law Clinic was one of the first in the country. It is one of the few law schools in the country requiring a practicum course for all students. It has received numerous awards, most recently the ABA Louis M. Brown Award for Legal Access with Meritorious Recognition in 2012 and the ABA Law Student Division's Judy M. Weightman Memorial Public Interest Award in 2006.

Courses selected for the clinic component bring students in contact with the disadvantaged and disenfranchised, giving all law students at Detroit Mercy first-hand experience of social problems relevant to their specialization. In 2003 the clinic acquired a 28-foot long mobile law office, perhaps the first such facility in the country. In 2012 a downtown building was purchased and renovated for the clinic, bringing the clinic closer to the court buildings. At that time the clinic courses were serving over 1000 clients a year.

UD law students must take one regular, semester-long "clinic" course that pl ... [more on wikipedia]

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "University of Detroit Mercy", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0

University of Detroit Mercy Details

University of Detroit Mercy Details
detail value
stateMichigan
conferenceHorizon League
publicPrivate
scores1660/1107/25
levelAboveAverage
rank[415
overall ROI rank[313
sizesmall
undergrads2762
grads2183
price52302
drop43
stem48
research0
scores validTrue
Common Questions...

What are the academic rankings for University of Detroit Mercy?

1. number 415 for Academics.

2. number 313 for ROI (Return on Investment).

What universities are similar to University of Detroit Mercy?

1. Florida Institute of Technology

2. University of the Pacific

3. Ohio Northern University

4. Madonna University

5. University of Illinois at Springfield

6. Grove City College

7. LeTourneau University


National Academic Rankings

(summary of all ranking placements)

University of Detroit Mercy National Academic Rankings

University of Detroit Mercy National Academic Rankings
category rank scores difficulty smartest brainpower faculty research salary ROI overall ROI
Horizon League623765576
Mid West Region936861829342425982
State of Michigan1410111920991110
Top Ten Horizon League623765576


Peer Universities / Similar Universities

(mathematically similar student body, size, academics, stem, salary... etc)

University of Detroit Mercy Peer Universities, Similar Universities to University of Detroit Mercy

University of Detroit Mercy Peer Universities, Similar Universities to University of Detroit Mercy
match image university state conference public level rank overall ROI
91.73
Florida Institute of TechnologyFloridaGulf South Conference / Sunshi...PrivateAboveAverage260130
91.50
University of the PacificCaliforniaWest Coast ConferencePrivateAboveAverage251344
86.45
Ohio Northern UniversityOhioOhio Athletic ConferencePrivateAboveAverage332170
86.12
Madonna UniversityMichiganWolverine - Hoosier Athletic ConfPrivateAboveAverage418377
86.06
University of Illinois at SpringfieldIllinoisGreat Lakes Valley ConferencePublicAverage403397
86.06
Grove City CollegePennsylvaniaPresidents' Athletic ConferencePrivateAboveAverage235202
85.43
LeTourneau UniversityTexasAmerican Southwest ConferencePrivateAboveAverage328173
84.79
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-PrescottArizonaNo Conference AffiliationPrivateAboveAverage402205
82.60
University of Michigan-FlintMichiganNo Conference AffiliationPublicAboveAverage189264
82.57
University of Michigan-DearbornMichiganWolverine - Hoosier Athletic ConfPublicAboveAverage312185
81.82
University of WyomingWyomingMountain West ConferencePublicAboveAverage250152
81.62
University of Maryland-Baltimore CountyMarylandAmerica EastPublicAboveAverage130174
81.38
Montana State UniversityMontanaBig Sky ConferencePublicAboveAverage217168
81.37
Rochester Institute of TechnologyNew YorkUpstate Collegiate Athletic As...PrivateAboveAverage151195
81.30
University of North FloridaFloridaAtlantic Sun ConferencePublicAboveAverage219214
75.91
University of New OrleansLouisianaSouthland ConferencePublicAverage405309
75.32
University of IdahoIdahoSun Belt Conference / Big Sky ...PublicAverage379216
75.27
Louisiana Tech UniversityLouisianaConference USAPublicAverage392213
75.09
University of Missouri-Kansas CityMissouriWestern Athletic ConferencePublicAboveAverage197155
74.95
Southern Illinois University-EdwardsvilleIllinoisOhio Valley ConferencePublicAverage438368
74.91
University of Alabama at BirminghamAlabamaConference USAPublicAboveAverage153148
74.87
University of Southern MississippiMississippiConference USAPublicAverage493423
74.76
CUNY City CollegeNew YorkCity University of New York At...PublicAverage293347
74.75
University of Massachusetts-LowellMassachusettsAmerica EastPublicAboveAverage247275
74.64
CUNY Brooklyn CollegeNew YorkCity University of New York At...PublicAverage296394
74.43
University of Illinois at ChicagoIllinoisHorizon LeaguePublicAboveAverage159111
74.42
Drexel UniversityPennsylvaniaColonial Athletic AssociationPrivateAboveAverage120134
74.26
University at BuffaloNew YorkMid American ConferencePublicAboveAverage124190
74.16
California State Polytechnic University-PomonaCaliforniaCalifornia Collegiate Athletic...PublicAverage288356
74.11
Colorado State University-Fort CollinsColoradoMountain West ConferencePublicAboveAverage143139
74.10
University of UtahUtahPacific 12 ConferencePublicAboveAverage14286
74.09
North Carolina State University at RaleighNorth CarolinaAtlantic Coast ConferencePublicAboveAverage5831
74.09
University of California-IrvineCaliforniaBig West ConferencePublicAboveAverage108162
74.00
University of California-DavisCaliforniaBig Sky Conference / Big West ...PublicAboveAverage58142
73.94
Purdue UniversityIndianaBig Ten ConferencePublicAboveAverage5720
73.93
University of South FloridaFloridaAmerican Athletic ConferencePublicAboveAverage94113
73.89
University of HoustonTexasAmerican Athletic ConferencePublicAboveAverage8960
73.79
Pennsylvania State UniversityPennsylvaniaBig Ten ConferencePublicAboveAverage5384
73.25
Loyola University New OrleansLouisianaSouthern States Athletic ConferencePrivateAboveAverage411391
73.05
Lipscomb UniversityTennesseeAtlantic Sun ConferencePrivateAboveAverage303255
72.70
Samford UniversityAlabamaSouthern ConferencePrivateAboveAverage431272
72.14
Drake UniversityIowaPioneer Football League / Miss...PrivateAboveAverage263136
71.99
Dallas Baptist UniversityTexasHeartland ConferencePrivateAboveAverage408342
71.82
Catholic University of AmericaWashington DCOld Dominion Athletic Conferen...PrivateAboveAverage381458
71.54
University of RedlandsCaliforniaSouthern California Intercoll ...PrivateAboveAverage380460
71.27
University of ScrantonPennsylvaniaLandmark ConferencePrivateAboveAverage399368
71.18
Loyola University MarylandMarylandPatriot LeaguePrivateAboveAverage249245
70.92
Wentworth Institute of TechnologyMassachusettsCommonwealth Coast ConferencePrivateAverage348352
70.37
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona BeachFloridaFlorida Sun ConferencePrivateAverage401210
70.34
Regis UniversityColoradoRocky Mountain Athletic ConferencePrivateAverage360303


Academic Peer Universities / Similar Academics

(mathematically similar academics)

University of Detroit Mercy Academic Peer Universities, Similar Academic Universities to University of Detroit Mercy

University of Detroit Mercy Academic Peer Universities, Similar Academic Universities to University of Detroit Mercy
match image university state conference public level rank overall ROI
97.05
Millsaps CollegeMississippiSouthern Athletic AssociationPrivateAboveAverage416473
96.70
Madonna UniversityMichiganWolverine - Hoosier Athletic ConfPrivateAboveAverage418377
96.70
Saint Edward's UniversityTexasHeartland ConferencePrivateAboveAverage418480
95.02
University of Northwestern-St PaulMinnesotaUpper Midwest Athletic ConferencePrivateAboveAverage412246
93.65
Loyola University New OrleansLouisianaSouthern States Athletic ConferencePrivateAboveAverage411391
91.60
Indiana Wesleyan UniversityIndianaCrossroads LeaguePrivateAverage412406
89.74
Oakland UniversityMichiganHorizon LeaguePublicAverage417270
88.33
Wayne State UniversityMichiganGreat Lakes Intercollegiate At...PublicAverage414286