Fast Facts

Founded

Founded in 1844

In 1844, The University of Olivet became the first college in Michigan to admit women and persons of color on a co‐equal basis with white men.

The first graduating class in 1863 consisted of three women: Sophia Keyes, Mary Barber and Sara Benedict.

Hiram Archer, who attended the college from 1889‐1905 and played varsity baseball, was one of the first African‐American intercollegiate athletes in the nation.

30 Miles South of Lansing, Michigan

Traditions

School Colors: Red and white

Nickname: Comets

Mascots: Clyde and Haley

A founding member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA)

Students

100% of students receive aid

58% Male

42% Female

26% Underrepresented Minorities

93% Michigan Residents

80% Students Live on Campus

Academics

34 Majors

26 Minors

13:1 Student to Faculty Ratio

15 Average Class Size

100% of students participate in service learning

Top 6 Majors

1. Business Administration
2. Exercise Science
3. Criminal Justice
4. Sports & Recreation Management
5. Insurance & Risk Management
6. Biology

Rankings

Military Friendly

• Top 10 Gold-Level Military Friendly® School (Viqtory Media, 2022-23)
• Gold-level Veteran-Friendly School (Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, 2022-23)

U.S. News and World Report Best College Rankings (2023)

• #37 Best Regional Colleges in the Midwest
• #7 Top Performer on Social Mobility in the Midwest
• #22 Best Values School

LendEDU’s annual Student Loan Debt by School by State (2020)

• 4th Lowest Average Student Debt

Best’s Review (2021)

• #3 Insurance and Risk Management Program Nationwide

Washington Monthly (2022)

• A “Best Bang for the Buck, Midwest
• #33 in Nation – Promoting Public Service

National Survey of Student Engagement (2020)

• Discussions with Diverse Others
• Student-Faculty Interaction
• Quality of Interactions

Ranked significantly higher than other Great Lake private colleges.

Affiliations

Accreditations

• The University of Olivet is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), 230 South LaSalle St., Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL, 60604.
• The University of Olivet RN-BSN program is accredited through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing (CCNE), 655 K. Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001.

Affiliations

• United Church of Christ
• National Association of Congregational Christian Churches