At $18,362/yr net price, St. Mary's College of Maryland graduates earn $60,110/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $26,110/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $18,362 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $73,448 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $60,110/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$26,110/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 68.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $3,618/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,370/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,955/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,010/yr |
| $110,001+ | $25,256/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $59,124 | $19,500 |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $41,565 | $22,000 |
| Public Policy Analysis. | Bachelor | $39,648 | $22,750 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $33,281 | $21,375 |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $31,839 | |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $31,314 | $25,000 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | Bachelor | $31,038 | |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $29,322 | $20,065 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $26,121 | $20,714 |
| Anthropology. | Bachelor | $25,194 | $25,000 |
The Risk Factor
68.0% of students at St. Mary's College of Maryland graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 32% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
St. Mary's College of Maryland gives you a solid financial return, with median debt at $21,000 sitting comfortably below what graduates earn a decade out. This is a public liberal arts school, and the numbers reflect that: a few career-focused majors pay well, while the humanities and social sciences trail.
Computer and Information Sciences is the clear winner here. It pays close to the school-wide median a decade out while carrying the lowest debt of any listed program, so you leave with strong earnings and a smaller loan balance. Economics and Public Policy Analysis land in the middle, but both saddle you with more debt than the computer science path. English and Sociology are where the math gets hard. Sociology graduates earn barely half what computer science graduates make, and English graduates carry over $21,000 in debt against pay that ranks near the bottom. If you pick either, you should have a plan for how the degree translates to income, because the starting numbers do not.
The main risk is major choice, not the school itself. The 81% retention rate and 68% graduation rate mean most people who start here finish, so you are unlikely to pay for time without a degree. The gap between the top and bottom programs is the thing to watch.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families heavily. If your family earns under $30k, you pay a small fraction of what a family over $110k pays. That makes St. Mary's a strong value if you qualify for need-based aid and lean toward a paying major. If your family income is over $110k and you want to study English or Sociology, the price climbs while the earnings do not, and you should look hard at whether the return justifies it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is St. Mary's College of Maryland worth the cost for the salary outcomes?
St. Mary's College graduates earn a median of $60,110 ten years after graduation, which is reasonable but not exceptional for a school costing $18,362 annually. The return on investment is solid but varies significantly by major, with computer science graduates earning $59,124 while English and sociology majors start around $31,000-$33,000.
What are the best paying majors at St. Mary's College of Maryland?
Computer science leads with $59,124 in median earnings, followed by economics at $41,565. Liberal arts majors like English ($33,281) and sociology ($31,839) show much lower returns, making major choice critical for financial outcomes at this school.
How much debt do St. Mary's College of Maryland graduates typically have?
Graduates leave with a median debt of $21,000, which is manageable compared to the national average. However, with a 68% graduation rate, about one-third of students don't finish their degree, potentially facing debt without the credential.
Is St. Mary's College of Maryland a good value compared to other Maryland schools?
At $18,362 net price, St. Mary's College offers moderate value as a public liberal arts college. The 77% acceptance rate means it's accessible, but the 68% graduation rate suggests academic rigor or support issues that prospective students should consider carefully.