At $18,568/yr net price, University of Mary graduates earn $60,909/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $26,909/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $18,568 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $74,272 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $60,909/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$26,909/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 68.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $24,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $14,673/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,987/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,553/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,714/yr |
| $110,001+ | $20,840/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 | $94,408 | $18,923 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Master | $63,997 | $48,604 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $60,230 | $20,500 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $56,641 | $20,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $54,359 | $25,687 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $38,289 | $23,719 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $33,281 | $24,490 |
The Risk Factor
68.2% of students at University of Mary graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 32% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
University of Mary gives you a solid financial return with a low debt load. You graduate with $24,000 in median debt against $60,909 in median earnings ten years out, so your debt stays below one year of pay. That ratio is where you want it, and a 68% grad rate plus 83% retention means most people who start actually finish and pay it back.
Nursing is the clear winner here. You come out around $56,641 a year with the lowest debt of any listed program at $20,500, giving you the strongest cushion at Mary. Business administration pays close behind at $54,359, but you borrow the most for it at $25,687, so the return per dollar borrowed is weaker. Bismarck and the wider North Dakota market lean on healthcare and business, so both of these fields line up with local hiring.
Education is where the math turns against you. Teacher education pays $38,289 and health and physical education pays just $33,281, while you still borrow $23,719 and $24,490 for those degrees. That is nearly the same debt as nursing for roughly $20,000 less in annual pay. If you plan to teach, go in knowing the payoff is thin and be honest about whether North Dakota teacher salaries make it work for you.
On price, families earning under $75,000 pay around $14,600 to $15,000 a year, and the tiers barely move across those brackets. Cross $75,000 and your net price jumps to $18,714, then $20,840 above $110,000. Middle earners get a real break here.
Come to Mary for nursing or business and the numbers work well. If you want an education degree, look hard at the earnings first and consider a cheaper path.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Mary worth the cost?
University of Mary offers decent value if you pursue nursing or rehabilitation programs, which lead to strong earnings of $56,000-$94,000. Other programs like business show weaker returns, and the 68% graduation rate means about one in three students don't finish.
What are the best paying majors at University of Mary?
Nursing programs at University of Mary lead to the highest earnings, with some graduates earning over $94,000 annually. Rehabilitation and therapeutic professions average $64,000, while business graduates typically earn $54,000-$60,000.
How much debt do University of Mary graduates have?
University of Mary graduates carry a median debt of $24,000, which is manageable for nursing majors who earn $56,000-$94,000 but creates tighter budgets for lower-earning programs. The annual net price of $18,568 helps keep total debt relatively low.
Does University of Mary have good job outcomes?
University of Mary graduates earn an average of $60,909 ten years after graduation, which is solid for North Dakota. However, success varies dramatically by major, with nursing and healthcare programs significantly outperforming other fields.