At $21,034/yr net price, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota graduates earn $58,170/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $24,170/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $21,034 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $84,136 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $58,170/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$24,170/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 67.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $14,421/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,972/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,418/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,072/yr |
| $110,001+ | $25,934/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. | Master | $188,108 | $81,234 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $97,071 | $12,500 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $83,325 | $53,760 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Certificate | $82,440 | $27,333 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $72,469 | $34,166 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Master | $62,012 | $40,193 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $59,350 | $22,944 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Bachelor | $59,124 | |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Master | $58,221 | $40,998 |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design. | Master | $55,964 | $20,500 |
The Risk Factor
67.7% of students at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 32% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota gives you a solid but uneven financial return, and the major you pick decides everything. The typical graduate earns $58,170 ten years out against $21,500 in median debt, so most of you leave with earnings that outpace your loans. The 67.7% graduation rate and 78.6% retention are middling for a private school, meaning a real slice of you pay tuition without finishing.
Nursing is the clear winner. At $97,071, nursing graduates out-earn every other program by nearly $40,000, and they carry the lowest debt of the bunch at $12,500. If you can get into and complete the nursing track, the math works strongly in your favor. Business and accounting sit in a tighter middle range in the low-to-mid $50,000s, which covers your loans but leaves less cushion. Accounting is the caution flag here: graduates earn $53,358 but borrow $24,332, the highest debt load listed, so the return is thinner than the salary suggests. Information Science pairs a similar salary with about $10,000 less debt, making it the safer bet of the two.
Net price is where your family income matters most. If you come from a household under $75,000, you pay around $14,400 a year, a real discount off the $21,034 sticker. Above $110,000, you pay closer to $25,934, and the return only justifies that at the higher-paying majors.
Come here for nursing and the numbers pay off almost regardless of your income. If you plan to study business or accounting and would borrow heavily, watch the debt closely or look at a cheaper option. If you are unsure you will finish, the graduation rate is a real risk to weigh before you enroll.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Saint Mary's University of Minnesota worth the cost?
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota offers reasonable value with a net price of $21,034 and median debt of $21,500, both below national averages. The nursing programs provide strong returns with graduates earning up to $188,108, but other programs show more modest outcomes with 10-year median earnings of $58,170.
What are the best paying programs at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota?
Nursing programs at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota deliver the highest returns, with advanced nursing degrees leading to median earnings of $188,108 and $97,071. Educational administration and business management programs offer more moderate returns in the $72,000-$83,000 range.
How much debt do Saint Mary's University of Minnesota graduates have?
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota graduates carry a median debt of $21,500, which is manageable compared to the national average of around $30,000. With a 67.7% graduation rate, about one-third of students don't complete their degree, which increases financial risk.
Does Saint Mary's University of Minnesota have good financial aid?
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota's net price of $21,034 suggests decent financial aid support, bringing costs below many private universities. However, with a 96.8% acceptance rate, the school may be less selective about aid distribution than more competitive institutions.