Mount Marty University
Mount Marty University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Mount Marty University at a Glance
Mount Marty University is a private Benedictine university in Yankton, South Dakota.
1936
90 years old
1,308
1,053 undergrad · 255 grad
80 acres
Identity
Is Mount Marty University Worth It?
At a value score of 30/100, Mount Marty University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $48,179 — 10% below average — while paying $22,227/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 56% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $26,396 representing 55% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Mount Marty University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Mount Marty University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #20 of 49 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 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #2 | Brescia University | 67 | $8,709 | $45,500 |
| #3 | Baptist University of Florida | 64 | $10,372 | $42,836 |
| #4 | William Jewell College | 54 | $17,562 | $59,268 |
| #5 | Hallmark University | 54 | $12,513 | $40,183 |
| #6 | College of Saint Mary | 49 | $16,590 | $54,338 |
| #20 | Mount Marty University | 30 | $22,227 | $48,179 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Mount Marty University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Mount Marty University
The highest-earning program at Mount Marty University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $53,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at $39,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Mount Marty University earns $53,100, while a Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods graduate earns $39,200. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $26,552 in median debt vs. $26,798 for Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $22,227/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $53,100 | $53,100 | $26,552 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $39,200 | $39,200 | $26,798 |
Similar Colleges in SD
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Yankton, SD
- Student Body
- 697 students
- Admission Rate
- 43%
- Graduation Rate
- 56%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $22,227
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $48,179
- Median Student Debt
- $26,396