At $14,986/yr net price, College of Saint Mary graduates earn $54,338/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $20,338/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $14,986 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $59,944 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $54,338/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$20,338/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 59.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $24,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,936/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,749/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $10,242/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $19,478/yr |
| $110,001+ | $22,739/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Master | $65,387 | $38,200 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $63,692 | $32,312 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $55,512 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $52,107 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $42,061 | $41,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $36,560 |
The Risk Factor
59.4% of students at College of Saint Mary graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
College of Saint Mary gives you a decent financial return if you pick the right major, and a weak one if you don't. The median graduate earns $54,338 ten years out against a net price near $15,000 a year and median debt of $24,250. That math works, but it hides a wide gap between the school's two main paths.
Nursing is the reason to come here. At $63,692, nursing graduates out-earn the school median by nearly $10,000, and that salary tracks the steady demand for nurses across Omaha's hospital systems. The debt load for nursing runs higher at $32,312, but the earnings support it. If you're set on nursing and you finish, this is a sound bet.
Teacher education is the opposite story. At $36,560, education graduates earn barely more than half what nursing graduates make, while paying the same tuition. That salary makes the $24,250 median debt harder to carry, and Nebraska teacher pay won't close the gap fast. If teaching is your plan, borrow as little as possible and know the numbers going in.
The bigger risk here is finishing at all. A 59% graduation rate and 68% retention mean roughly a third of students don't return after year one. Debt without a degree is the worst outcome, and it happens often enough at this school to take seriously.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $75,000, you pay around $10,000 a year. Above $75,000, that jumps to roughly $19,500, and above $110,000 it hits $22,739 , more than double the lowest tier. If you're a lower-income student headed into nursing, Saint Mary is a strong fit. If you're a higher-income family or aiming at teaching, look hard at the cost first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is College of Saint Mary worth the cost?
College of Saint Mary offers reasonable value with a net price of $14,986 and median debt of $24,250, but the 10-year earnings of $54,338 are below national averages. The school works best for students pursuing nursing or rehabilitation programs, which earn $63,000-$65,000 annually.
What are the highest paying majors at College of Saint Mary?
Rehabilitation and therapeutic professions lead at $65,387 annually, followed by nursing programs at $63,692. Business graduates earn $55,512, while education majors average just $42,061, making teacher preparation a weaker financial choice at this school.
How much debt do College of Saint Mary graduates have?
The median debt is $24,250, which is manageable compared to many private colleges. However, with 10-year earnings of $54,338, graduates may struggle with loan payments unless they choose high-paying programs like nursing or rehabilitation.
Does College of Saint Mary have good graduation rates?
The graduation rate is 59.4%, which is concerning and below the national average for four-year colleges. This means 4 out of 10 students don't finish their degree, increasing the risk of debt without a diploma.