At $25,009/yr net price, Mount Saint Mary's University graduates earn $72,379/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $38,379/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $25,009 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $100,036 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $72,379/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$38,379/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 53.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,949 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $17,327/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $23,266/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $25,413/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $26,738/yr |
| $110,001+ | $36,716/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $82,440 | $18,069 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $82,440 | $173,420 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $81,662 | $25,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $67,660 | $41,000 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $56,579 | $49,100 |
| Education, General. | Master | $52,385 | $40,999 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $48,265 | $31,250 |
| Public Policy Analysis. | Bachelor | $46,478 | |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology. | Bachelor | $41,565 | |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $32,563 | $26,500 |
The Risk Factor
53.4% of students at Mount Saint Mary's University 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
The financial return at Mount Saint Mary's University hinges almost entirely on one program: nursing. If you graduate from the nursing program, you earn about $81,662 ten years out against a debt load of $25,000, which is a clean, fast payoff. That single number carries the school's overall median earnings of $72,379. Nothing else on the list comes close.
The gap between majors here is stark. Business Administration pays about $48,265 but leaves you with the highest debt on the list at $31,250, so you borrow more and earn far less than a nursing graduate. Public Policy Analysis, Biochemistry, and Political Science all land under $47,000, with Political Science bottoming out around $32,563. If you pick one of these majors, the roughly $25,009 annual net price is a much harder sell.
The main risk is completion. A 53.40% graduation rate and 74.01% retention mean a real chance you leave without a degree while still owing money. Debt without a credential is the worst outcome, and it happens to a meaningful share of students here.
This school works well for you if you are set on nursing in the Los Angeles healthcare market, where the earnings clearly justify the cost. If you want business, science, or political science, look hard at cheaper options, because the return does not match the price.
Family income changes the math a lot. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $17,327 per year. above $110,000, the price jumps to $36,716. Lower- and middle-income families get a real discount, so the nursing path becomes especially defensible for you if you fall in the bottom tiers. At the top income level, the full sticker only pays off through the nursing degree.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mount Saint Mary's University worth the cost?
Mount Saint Mary's University offers mixed value with a net price of $25,009 and 10-year earnings of $72,379. The nursing programs provide strong returns at over $80,000 annually, but the 53% graduation rate creates significant risk for students who don't complete their degrees.
What are the highest paying majors at Mount Saint Mary's University?
Nursing programs at Mount Saint Mary's University lead in earnings at $81,662-$82,440 annually, followed by rehabilitation and therapeutic professions at $82,440. Business administration graduates earn $67,660, while special education majors earn $56,579.
How much debt do Mount Saint Mary's University graduates have?
Mount Saint Mary's University graduates carry a median debt of $25,949, which is manageable for nursing graduates earning over $80,000 but creates financial stress for lower-earning majors. The debt-to-income ratio varies significantly by program choice.
What is the graduation rate at Mount Saint Mary's University?
Mount Saint Mary's University has a 53% graduation rate, meaning nearly half of students don't finish their degrees. This low completion rate significantly increases the financial risk for students who take on debt but don't graduate.