Loyola Marymount University
Loyola Marymount University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Loyola Marymount University at a Glance
Loyola Marymount University (LMU) is a private Jesuit and Marymount research university in Los Angeles, California, United States. LMU enrolls over 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students, making it the largest Catholic university on the West Coast of the United States. It was founded in 1865 by the Vincentians and merged with Marymount College in 1973.
1865
161 years old
$723M
$722.7 million (2024)
10,000
7,094 undergrad · 2,906 grad
615
150 acres
Identity
Is Loyola Marymount University Worth It?
At a value score of 32/100, Loyola Marymount University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $78,349 — 46% above average — while paying $48,381/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.5-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
The 79% graduation rate means roughly 21% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Loyola Marymount University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Loyola Marymount University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #7 of 11 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of San Diego | 59 | $30,365 | $86,522 |
| #2 | St Olaf College | 57 | $23,874 | $65,543 |
| #3 | George Washington University | 53 | $36,586 | $90,873 |
| #4 | Texas Christian University | 40 | $36,660 | $68,424 |
| #5 | Providence College | 39 | $48,523 | $87,054 |
| #6 | Bellevue University | 34 | $17,550 | $61,289 |
| #7 | Loyola Marymount University | 32 | $48,381 | $78,349 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Loyola Marymount University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in CA.
Best Programs at Loyola Marymount University
The highest-earning program at Loyola Marymount University is Accounting and Related Services at $64,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Biology, General at $15,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Accounting and Related Services graduate from Loyola Marymount University earns $64,900, while a Biology, General graduate earns $15,000. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Accounting and Related Services graduates carry $25,105 in median debt vs. $23,000 for Biology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $48,381/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | $64,900 | $64,900 | $25,105 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $53,700 | $53,700 | $19,500 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $51,100 | $51,100 | $24,072 |
| Economics | $46,400 | $46,400 | $21,160 |
| Marketing | $44,400 | $44,400 | $21,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $37,500 | $37,500 | $23,250 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $37,000 | $37,000 | $19,566 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $36,600 | $36,600 | $20,500 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $33,700 | $33,700 | $21,500 |
| Sociology | $30,700 | $30,700 | $20,495 |
| Graphic Communications | $27,800 | $27,800 | N/A |
| Psychology, General | $27,700 | $27,700 | $22,375 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | $27,500 | $27,500 | $19,250 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $27,000 | $27,000 | $24,721 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $26,200 | $26,200 | $20,500 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $26,200 | $26,200 | $20,750 |
| Biology, General | $15,000 | $15,000 | $23,000 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Los Angeles, CA
- Student Body
- 7,094 students
- Admission Rate
- 45%
- Graduation Rate
- 79%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $48,381
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $78,349
- Median Student Debt
- $19,500