At $24,987/yr net price, Mount St. Mary's University graduates earn $64,072/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $30,072/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $24,987 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $99,948 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $64,072/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$30,072/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 58.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,391 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $14,674/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,842/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $24,088/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $27,028/yr |
| $110,001+ | $31,050/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Master | $90,412 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $68,331 | $20,712 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $56,157 | $19,500 |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies. | Master | $53,697 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $48,432 | $31,066 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Bachelor | $45,249 | $23,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $42,682 | $23,250 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $40,896 | $26,312 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology. | Bachelor | $37,748 | $21,500 |
| Criminology. | Bachelor | $37,363 | $27,000 |
The Risk Factor
58.0% of students at Mount St. 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
Mount St. Mary's gives you a moderate financial return with real variation by major. Median earnings ten years out sit above the typical bachelor's payoff, and median debt stays close to what one year of accounting graduates borrow, so most of you leave without a crushing loan balance. The catch is that your outcome depends heavily on what you study.
Accounting is the clear winner here. It pays the most of any listed program and carries the lowest debt, giving you the best margin between what you owe and what you earn. Business follows, though its graduates borrow more for less. The bottom of the list is where the math turns against you. Psychology and communication graduates earn the least while communication majors carry the highest debt of any program shown. If you borrow $26,312 to earn $40,896, your first years of repayment will be tight.
The main risk is completion. With 58% of you graduating and only 71% returning after freshman year, a meaningful share pay for college without finishing it. Debt without a degree is the worst outcome, and these rates mean it happens to some of you.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $30k, you pay well below the sticker price. above $110k, you pay the most and get the least discount. That makes the Mount a stronger financial bet if you qualify for need-based aid and plan to major in accounting or business.
Look elsewhere if you want to study psychology or communication and would need heavy loans, or if your family income is high enough that you pay near full price for mid-tier earnings. The return works best for aid-eligible accounting and business students who finish on time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mount St. Mary's University worth the cost?
Mount St. Mary's University graduates earn $64,072 ten years after graduation, which is below the national average for college graduates. With a net price of $24,987 per year and median debt of $25,391, the return on investment is modest compared to other four-year institutions.
What are the best paying majors at Mount St. Mary's University?
Health and Medical Administrative Services leads with $90,412 in median earnings, followed by Business Administration at $68,331. Education majors earn significantly less at $48,432, while Theology graduates average $53,697.
How much debt do Mount St. Mary's University graduates typically have?
The median debt for Mount St. Mary's graduates is $25,391, which is manageable given the school's relatively affordable net price. However, graduates in lower-paying fields like education may struggle more with loan payments.
Does Mount St. Mary's University have good graduation rates?
Mount St. Mary's has a 58% graduation rate, which is below the national average for four-year colleges. This means 4 out of 10 students who start don't finish their degree, increasing the risk of debt without a diploma.