At $43,465/yr net price, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College graduates earn $43,845/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $9,845/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $43,465 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $173,860 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $43,845/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$9,845/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 17.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 52.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $19,512 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $40,812/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $41,307/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $44,117/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $46,408/yr |
| $110,001+ | $46,639/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $52,107 | $18,000 |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies. | Bachelor | $38,829 | |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Master | $38,018 | $50,547 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $33,993 | |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Bachelor | $32,925 | $23,013 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $30,771 | $19,187 |
The Risk Factor
52.3% of students at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College 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
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College asks you to pay more than $43,000 a year while your median earnings ten years out land under $44,000. That gap is the whole story: your annual cost after aid is roughly equal to a full year of post-graduation income. For a private four-year school, that is a weak return.
The program data makes it worse. Every bachelor's field listed here pays below the school's own median. Theological and ministerial studies tops out around $38,800, and the three others fall lower still. Special education and psychology both graduate you with real debt, and psychology's roughly $30,800 salary against nearly $19,200 in debt gives you little room to breathe. None of these bachelor's programs pays enough to make the sticker price add up quickly.
The teaching pipeline is the honest core of this school. If you want to teach elementary, secondary, or special education in Indiana, the program exists and the salaries here match what public school pay looks like early in a career. Just know you are entering fields that reward experience slowly, so the $43,000 net price is a heavy front-loaded bet.
Two risks stand out. A 52% graduation rate means roughly half of you leave without the degree, and a 67% retention rate says a third don't return after year one. Paying full price and not finishing is the worst financial outcome here.
The net price tiers barely move with income. Families earning under $30,000 still pay above $40,000, and those over $110,000 pay only about $6,000 more. Aid does not meaningfully scale down for lower-income families, so if money is tight, this price is punishing.
This school fits you if you have a firm plan to teach in Indiana and will finish. If you are undecided or need cost to track your income, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College worth the cost?
With a net price of $43,465 and median earnings of $43,845 ten years after graduation, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College barely breaks even financially. The business programs offer better returns at $52,107 median earnings, but education majors face significant financial challenges with starting salaries around $33,000.
What is the ROI for Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College graduates?
The return on investment is poor for most programs, with graduates earning roughly what they pay annually in net costs. Only business administration graduates see meaningful positive returns, while education and ministry majors face years of financial strain.
How much debt do Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College students graduate with?
The median debt load is $19,512, which is manageable compared to the high annual costs. However, with low graduation rates at 52% and weak earning potential in most programs, even this debt level poses risks for many students.
Which programs at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College have the best job prospects?
Business administration offers the strongest financial outcomes with $52,107 median earnings. Education and ministry programs dominate enrollment but lead to significantly lower salaries that make the college costs difficult to justify.