2025-26 Best Colleges Report: Mount Mary University continues to rank among top in Midwest for value, social mobility

Mount Mary remains among the top Midwest educational institutions in graduating diverse and low-income students, according to the Best Colleges Report by U.S. News and World Report released today.

SOCIAL MOBILITY: Mount Mary ranks among the top regional universities in this category, which measures the success rate of graduating Pell students based upon six-year graduation rates. The university has continuously earned this distinction.

AMONG BEST VALUE IN WISCONSIN: Mount Mary outranks all UW campuses among regional universities in the category of best educational value.

INCREASING GRADUATION RATES: The six-year graduation rate for first time students entering Mount Mary in the fall of 2019 increased 9% over that of the students entering in fall of 2018.

ECONOMIC DIVERSITY: With 67% of all undergraduate students receiving Pell grants in 2024, Mount Mary is recognized as one of the top performers in the Midwest among regional universities. The report states: “U.S. News believes that Pell figures are the best available gauge of institutions’ relative commitment to access for all.”

“Recognizing the economic diversity across Milwaukee and Wisconsin, Mount Mary is very proud of its outcomes,” shared Dr. Leah Adams-Curtis, Director of Institutional Research. “We are especially proud of serving the Milwaukee community.”

“Our continued recognition among the region’s top universities reflects our commitment to academic excellence, innovation and student success,” said Dr. Isabelle Cherney, Mount Mary President.

“This ranking affirms our strategic focus on delivering affordable, transformative education that prepares students for meaningful careers and lifelong impact,” she added. “Mount Mary University is proud to serve as a catalyst for social and economic mobility, empowering students from all backgrounds to achieve their full potential.”