Mount Saint Mary College
Mount Saint Mary College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Mount Saint Mary College at a Glance
Mount Saint Mary College is a private Catholic university in Newburgh, New York, United States. It was founded in 1959 by the Dominican Sisters.
1959
67 years old
2,246
1,897 undergrad · 349 grad
73
70 acres
Identity
Is Mount Saint Mary College Worth It?
Mount Saint Mary College offers moderate value at $25,522/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $67,705, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 66% graduation rate means roughly 34% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Mount Saint Mary College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in NY
Ranked #23 of 95 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 | Mount Carmel College of Nursing | 100 | $10,420 | $75,103 |
| #2 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 83 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| #3 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #4 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #5 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #6 | Goldey-Beacom College | 56 | $15,554 | $59,892 |
| #23 | Mount Saint Mary College | 43 | $25,522 | $67,705 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Mount Saint Mary College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 5 in NY.
Best Programs at Mount Saint Mary College
The highest-earning program at Mount Saint Mary College is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $78,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Communication and Media Studies at $24,900/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Mount Saint Mary College earns $78,900, while a Communication and Media Studies graduate earns $24,900. 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: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $28,276 in median debt vs. $25,000 for Communication and Media Studies.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $25,522/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 | $78,900 | $78,900 | $28,276 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $34,800 | $34,800 | $25,000 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $33,700 | $33,700 | $25,750 |
| Psychology, General | $30,700 | $30,700 | $26,000 |
| Human Services, General | $30,700 | $30,700 | $25,059 |
| History | $29,400 | $29,400 | $26,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $24,900 | $24,900 | $25,000 |
Similar Colleges in NY
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Newburgh, NY
- Student Body
- 1,148 students
- Admission Rate
- 89%
- Graduation Rate
- 66%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $25,522
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $67,705
- Median Student Debt
- $26,007