About St. Mary's College of Maryland
St. Mary's College of Maryland serves as the state's designated honors college, bringing together 1,566 students on a historic campus along the Potomac River. The school operates as Maryland's only public liberal arts college, emphasizing small classes and close faculty relationships in a rural setting. Students maintain a 10:1 ratio with professors, creating an intimate academic environment that mirrors top private colleges.
The financial picture tells a compelling story for Maryland families. In-state students pay just $15,236 in tuition, while the average net price drops to $18,362 after aid. Graduates earn a median of $60,110 ten years after graduation, carrying typical debt loads of $21,000. Low-income families with household incomes under $30,000 pay only $3,618 net price, making this honors education remarkably accessible.
The student body skews 60% female and draws 90% of its enrollment from Maryland. St. Mary's competes in 19 Division III sports as the Seahawks, with 415 student-athletes participating without athletic scholarships. The 68% six-year graduation rate reflects the college's rigorous academic standards, while the 81% retention rate shows students generally adapt well to the demanding liberal arts environment.
The financial picture tells a compelling story for Maryland families. In-state students pay just $15,236 in tuition, while the average net price drops to $18,362 after aid. Graduates earn a median of $60,110 ten years after graduation, carrying typical debt loads of $21,000. Low-income families with household incomes under $30,000 pay only $3,618 net price, making this honors education remarkably accessible.
The student body skews 60% female and draws 90% of its enrollment from Maryland. St. Mary's competes in 19 Division III sports as the Seahawks, with 415 student-athletes participating without athletic scholarships. The 68% six-year graduation rate reflects the college's rigorous academic standards, while the 81% retention rate shows students generally adapt well to the demanding liberal arts environment.
Academics & Faculty
St. Mary's College serves as Maryland's designated public honors college, offering a liberal arts education that emphasizes close faculty mentorship and intellectual exploration. The 10:1 student-faculty ratio creates an intimate academic environment where professors know students by name and can provide individualized guidance. The college is particularly well-known for its archaeology program, taking advantage of its location at Historic St. Marys City, the original colonial capital. Students also benefit from strong programs in psychology, biology, and creative writing. The 69% four-year graduation rate reflects the college's commitment to helping students complete their degrees on time, though the rigorous liberal arts curriculum challenges students to think critically across disciplines.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 10:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 73.0%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 69.3%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 68.0%
- Retention Rate
- 81.4%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $60,110
- Carnegie Classification
- Liberal Arts College
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $59,124 |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $41,565 |
| Public Policy Analysis. | Bachelor | $39,648 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $33,281 |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $31,839 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $31,314 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | Bachelor | $31,038 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $29,322 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $26,121 |
| Anthropology. | Bachelor | $25,194 |
Campus Life
St. Mary's College sits on Maryland's western shore along the St. Mary's River, about 70 miles southeast of Washington D.C. With housing capacity for 1,499 students and total enrollment of 1,566, nearly the entire student body lives on campus. The rural setting means you'll need a car to reach civilization, but the Cheselle waterfront campus offers sailing and kayaking right outside your dorm.
Maryland weather demands both winter coats and sunscreen - expect humid summers and chilly winters with occasional snow. The 10:1 student-faculty ratio creates an intimate academic environment where professors know your name. With 415 students competing in 19 Division III sports, athletics shape campus culture without the pressure of scholarships. Weekend life revolves around campus events, outdoor activities on the river, or road trips to Annapolis or D.C. As Maryland's designated honors college, academic intensity runs high, reflected in the 81.37% retention rate. The small size means everyone knows everyone, creating tight-knit community bonds that students either love or find suffocating.
Maryland weather demands both winter coats and sunscreen - expect humid summers and chilly winters with occasional snow. The 10:1 student-faculty ratio creates an intimate academic environment where professors know your name. With 415 students competing in 19 Division III sports, athletics shape campus culture without the pressure of scholarships. Weekend life revolves around campus events, outdoor activities on the river, or road trips to Annapolis or D.C. As Maryland's designated honors college, academic intensity runs high, reflected in the 81.37% retention rate. The small size means everyone knows everyone, creating tight-knit community bonds that students either love or find suffocating.
- Setting
- Rural-Fringe
- Housing Capacity
- 1,499 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
Campus Safety (2023)
58 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stalking | 15 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Fondling | 7 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Rape | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Burglary | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Dating Violence | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 30°–45°F
- July Avg
- 71°–87°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 46.3"
- Annual Snowfall
- 12.5"
Student Demographics
St. Mary's draws primarily Maryland residents who want a small liberal arts experience without leaving the state. Women make up about 60% of the student body, reflecting the college's strong programs in education, psychology, and social sciences. The campus attracts students seeking intimate class sizes with its 10:1 student-faculty ratio. One in five students receives Pell Grants, showing the school serves middle-class Maryland families looking for affordable honors-level education. As the state's designated public honors college, St. Mary's pulls academically motivated students who want rigorous academics in a close-knit community setting.
- Men
- 39.5%
- Women
- 60.5%
- White
- 70.1%
- Black
- 11.5%
- Hispanic
- 8.4%
- Asian
- 2.9%
- In-State Students
- 90.6%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 20.2%
Location
St. Mary's City sits on Maryland's western shore along the Potomac River, about 70 miles southeast of Washington, D.C. The campus occupies a historic site where Maryland's colonial capital once stood. Students find themselves in a truly rural setting with just 1,566 enrolled, surrounded by waterfront views and archaeological sites. The nearest major population center, Lexington Park, lies 10 miles away and serves the nearby Patuxent River Naval Air Station. With 90.55% of students coming from in-state, most are familiar with Maryland's Chesapeake Bay region. The isolated location creates a tight-knit community feel that defines the liberal arts experience here. Students considering colleges in Maryland may also compare St. Mary's College of Maryland with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- St. Mary's City, Maryland 20686
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $60,110
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $56,385
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $38,600
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 80.3%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $223/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $21,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at St. Mary's College of Maryland?
St. Mary's College of Maryland accepts 77% of applicants with a middle 50% SAT range of 1130-1370. As Maryland's designated honors college, it attracts strong students while maintaining selectivity for a public liberal arts institution.
How much does St. Mary's College of Maryland cost after financial aid?
The average net price is $18,362, though families earning under $30,000 pay just $3,618 after aid. Only 20% of students receive financial aid, reflecting the school's appeal to middle and upper-middle class families who can afford the full cost.
What is the student-faculty ratio at St. Mary's College of Maryland?
St. Mary's maintains a 10:1 student-faculty ratio with just 1,566 students total. This intimate environment supports the college's liberal arts mission and allows for close mentoring relationships typical of top private colleges.
What do graduates of St. Mary's College of Maryland earn after graduation?
Alumni earn a median of $60,110 ten years after graduation with typical student debt of $21,000. The 68% six-year graduation rate reflects the school's challenging academic standards as Maryland's honors college.
Where is St. Mary's College of Maryland located?
The campus sits in historic St. Mary's City on Maryland's rural Eastern Shore, housing 1,499 students in a close-knit residential community. Over 90% of students come from in-state, creating a distinctly Maryland cultural atmosphere.
Does St. Mary's College of Maryland offer athletic scholarships?
St. Mary's competes in NCAA Division III and awards $0 in athletic scholarships, with 415 student-athletes across 19 varsity sports. The Seahawks emphasize academics over athletics, consistent with the school's liberal arts philosophy.
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