
Madonna University is a private Catholic university in Livonia, Michigan, founded by the Felician Sisters in 1937 as Madonna College. Its beginnings as a women's college and its Franciscan roots remain important to the institution's identity, although it now enrolls students of all genders and offers programs across many fields.
The institution later became Madonna University as its academic offerings expanded beyond the scope of a college. Today, its undergraduate and graduate programs include nursing, education, business, the arts and sciences, and human services. That history helps explain the university's continuing emphasis on service-oriented fields alongside a broader liberal arts curriculum.
Madonna University offers undergraduate and graduate study across the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing, health, and related professional fields. Prospective students can explore programs such as biology, criminal justice, business administration, teacher education, social work, and nursing.
The distinction between a major and a professional pathway matters here. A student interested in nursing, teaching, or another licensed occupation should check the specific degree's admission requirements, clinical or field-placement rules, and eligibility for the intended license. Those requirements can be more restrictive than admission to the university itself. Students comparing majors should also check whether their preferred program is offered on campus, online, or in another format, and whether it admits students at their planned starting term.
Madonna University's main campus is in Livonia, a suburb west of Detroit. Its location gives students access to a metropolitan area while placing them in a setting where commuting is a significant part of campus life.
About 69% of students commute, according to the reported housing figures. First-year students may register or park a car on campus, but drivers should still account for parking arrangements and travel time when planning their schedules. Detroit Metropolitan Airport is the nearest major airport and may be useful for students traveling from outside the region. Applicants considering a particular program should confirm where its classes, labs, and placements take place rather than assuming every activity meets on the main campus.
Madonna University describes its educational mission in Catholic and Franciscan terms, connecting academic study with ethical development, service, and respect for others. Its Felician Sisters heritage is part of that stated purpose, not a requirement that every student share the institution's religious identity.
For applicants, the practical question is how that mission appears in their intended program and daily experience. Service activities, discussions of professional ethics, and opportunities for spiritual involvement may be relevant; academic requirements and participation expectations should be checked in the current catalog and student policies. A mission statement expresses institutional aims rather than proving any particular student outcome.
Name of the institution
Madonna UniversityLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
City: SmallInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
1,000 - 4,999Religious affiliation
Catholic (Roman Catholic Church)School type
UniversityMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1937Madonna University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Certificate of less than 1 year
Certificate of at least 1 year, but less than 2 years
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degree
Post-master's certificate
Doctor's degree - research/scholarship
Doctor's degree - professional practiceData last updated on November 2, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.