About University of Mount Union
Mount Union has built a powerhouse reputation around its football program while maintaining strong engineering offerings at this private liberal arts university. The Purple Raiders compete in NCAA Division III with 823 total athletes across 21 varsity sports. With 1,785 students in Alliance, Ohio, the school sits in a town-fringe setting that gives students a close-knit campus feel. Notable alumni include legendary football coaches Don Nehlen and Larry Kehres, who helped establish the school's athletic legacy.
Students pay an average net price of $22,539 after financial aid, less than the $35,400 sticker price. Graduates earn a median of $53,217 ten years after graduation, making the typical debt load of $27,000 manageable with monthly payments around $286. The employment rate hits 97.3%, suggesting strong job placement outcomes. Federal loans support 80% of students, while 28% receive institutional grants averaging $22,459.
The student body leans heavily Ohio-based, with 81% coming from in-state. A 12:1 student-faculty ratio creates small class environments typical of liberal arts colleges. The 71% retention rate and 64% six-year graduation rate indicate some students struggle to finish, though those who do find solid career prospects in engineering and other fields.
Students pay an average net price of $22,539 after financial aid, less than the $35,400 sticker price. Graduates earn a median of $53,217 ten years after graduation, making the typical debt load of $27,000 manageable with monthly payments around $286. The employment rate hits 97.3%, suggesting strong job placement outcomes. Federal loans support 80% of students, while 28% receive institutional grants averaging $22,459.
The student body leans heavily Ohio-based, with 81% coming from in-state. A 12:1 student-faculty ratio creates small class environments typical of liberal arts colleges. The 71% retention rate and 64% six-year graduation rate indicate some students struggle to finish, though those who do find solid career prospects in engineering and other fields.
Academics & Faculty
Mount Union operates as a private liberal arts university where students receive personalized attention through a 12:1 student-faculty ratio. The school has built a strong reputation for its engineering programs, which benefit from small class sizes and hands-on learning opportunities. About 63% of students graduate in four years, reflecting the supportive academic environment typical of smaller liberal arts institutions. The university offers a full liberal arts education that emphasizes critical thinking and communication skills across disciplines. Students can explore various fields while receiving individualized mentoring from professors who prioritize teaching over research. This approach helps explain why 97% of graduates find employment or continue their education within six months of graduation.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 99.3%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 63.3%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 64.9%
- Retention Rate
- 70.9%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $53,217
- Carnegie Classification
- Master's University (Small)
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $97,959 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $69,338 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $46,321 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $45,696 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $44,418 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. | Bachelor | $36,042 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | Bachelor | $33,993 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $33,993 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Bachelor | $33,281 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $32,925 |
Campus Life
Mount Union sits in Alliance, a small Ohio town about 20 miles southeast of Canton and 60 miles south of Cleveland. With housing capacity for 1,658 students and total enrollment of 1,785, nearly the entire student body lives on campus. Winter coats are essential here, Ohio winters bring snow and temperatures that regularly dip below freezing from December through February.
The Purple Raiders dominate weekend conversations, with 823 total athletes competing across 21 varsity sports. Football reigns supreme thanks to a legendary program that has produced coaching giants like Larry Kehres and Don Nehlen. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio creates a tight-knit academic environment where professors know students by name. With 81% of students coming from Ohio, the campus feels distinctly Midwestern, friendly but not flashy. Students often head to nearby Cleveland or Akron for bigger city experiences, but most weekend activities center around campus events, athletic games, and the close friendships that develop naturally in a community where everyone lives within walking distance of each other.
The Purple Raiders dominate weekend conversations, with 823 total athletes competing across 21 varsity sports. Football reigns supreme thanks to a legendary program that has produced coaching giants like Larry Kehres and Don Nehlen. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio creates a tight-knit academic environment where professors know students by name. With 81% of students coming from Ohio, the campus feels distinctly Midwestern, friendly but not flashy. Students often head to nearby Cleveland or Akron for bigger city experiences, but most weekend activities center around campus events, athletic games, and the close friendships that develop naturally in a community where everyone lives within walking distance of each other.
- Setting
- Town-Fringe
- Housing Capacity
- 1,658 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1846
Campus Safety (2023)
12 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rape | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Burglary | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Dating Violence | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fondling | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 18°–34°F
- July Avg
- 60°–81°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 42.9"
- Annual Snowfall
- 31.8"
Student Demographics
The Purple Raiders draw heavily from Ohio, with 81% of students coming from in-state, reflecting Mount Union's strong regional reputation. The student body leans slightly male at 52%, likely influenced by the school's well-known engineering programs and powerhouse football tradition. Nearly 29% of students receive Pell Grants, showing the university serves middle-class families seeking quality education at a manageable cost. The predominantly white student population mirrors the demographics of small-town Ohio, while the tight-knit campus of 1,785 students fosters the close relationships that define the Mount Union experience.
- Men
- 51.9%
- Women
- 48.1%
- White
- 81.3%
- Black
- 7.8%
- Hispanic
- 2.9%
- Asian
- 1.2%
- In-State Students
- 81.1%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 28.7%
Location
University of Mount Union sits in Alliance, Ohio, about 60 miles southeast of Cleveland. The campus occupies 123 acres in this small town of roughly 22,000 residents. Alliance has a classic Midwest feel with tree-lined streets and historic brick buildings dating back to the industrial era. The town-fringe setting means students get a quiet college atmosphere while still having access to nearby amenities. About 81% of students come from within Ohio, giving the campus a strong regional character. The surrounding area offers rolling hills and farmland typical of eastern Ohio. Students considering colleges in Ohio may also compare University of Mount Union with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Alliance, Ohio 44601-3929
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $53,217
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $55,780
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $36,600
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 72.1%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $286/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $27,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at University of Mount Union?
University of Mount Union accepts 75.75% of applicants with an average SAT score of 1070. The school is known for its strong Division III athletics program, particularly football, which has won multiple national championships.
How much does University of Mount Union cost after financial aid?
The average net price is $22,539, lower than the sticker price of $48,420. Students typically graduate with $27,000 in median debt and monthly loan payments of $286.
What is the student-faculty ratio at University of Mount Union?
The student-faculty ratio is 12:1 among the 1,785 enrolled students. The university is particularly recognized for its engineering programs and maintains a strong liberal arts foundation dating back to its 1846 founding.
What are the graduation outcomes at University of Mount Union?
The 4-year graduation rate is 63.27%, with graduates earning a median salary of $53,217 ten years after graduation. The employment rate reaches 97.3%, reflecting strong career preparation in this Ohio town-fringe setting.
Where is University of Mount Union located and what is campus life like?
Located in Alliance, Ohio, the campus houses 1,658 students in on-campus facilities costing $11,500 for room and board. The student body is 81.09% in-state students with a 70.91% retention rate.
How successful is University of Mount Union's athletic program?
The Purple Raiders field 21 varsity sports with 823 total athletes competing in NCAA Division III. The football program has produced legendary coaches like Larry Kehres and Don Nehlen, establishing Mount Union as a powerhouse in college athletics.
