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The University of Olivet

Olivet, MI·Private nonprofit·918 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who want small classes and close faculty access. graduation rate is below 40%; freshman retention is below 65%. financial aid brings net price below sticker.

97%
Accept
918
Students
$21,158
Net Price
37%
Grad Rate
$42,200
Earnings
10 yr
$13,000
Debt

About This School

The University of Olivet is a private nonprofit institution located in Olivet, Michigan with approximately 918 undergraduate students enrolled. The University of Olivet has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 97%. The average net price after financial aid is $21,158 per year. The graduation rate is 37%, and the typical graduate earns $42,200 within 10 years of enrollment.

The University of Olivet, formerly known as Olivet College, is a private Christian college in Olivet, Michigan, United States. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It was founded in 1844 by missionaries from Oberlin College, and it followed Oberlin in becoming the second coeducational college or university in the United States. The University of Olivet is affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches and stands in the Reformed tradition of Protestantism.

The numbers here tell a concerning story — a 37% graduation rate and 57% freshman retention rate mean fewer than 6 in 10 students who start here return for sophomore year, which is a serious red flag worth discussing. On the brighter side, median debt at graduation is a relatively low $13,000, and the school has a genuinely interesting history as one of the first coeducational colleges in the U.S. Worth considering only if you've had a personal visit, have a clear plan for staying enrolled, and are drawn specifically to its small Christian liberal arts community in rural Michigan.

Setting
Distant rural

Popular Programs

Business & Marketing31%
Biological Sciences12%
Psychology12%
Communications4%
Visual & Performing Arts3%
Health Professions2%
Computer Science2%
English2%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average CompositeN/A

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite21

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$33,076
Out-of-State Tuition
$33,076
Avg Net Price
$21,158
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants42%
Median debt at graduation$13,000

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
37%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
57%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$42,200
after enrollment
Median Debt
$13,000
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$13,000
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$31,000
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$42,200
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 3.2x

Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White66%
Black17%
Hispanic/Latino8%
Asian1%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (918 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

The University of Olivet

320 South Main Street

Olivet, MI 49076

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Michigan

Browse all Michigan schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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