Mount Saint Mary's University
Mount Saint Mary's University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Mount Saint Mary's University Worth It?
Mount Saint Mary's University offers moderate value at $21,413/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $72,379, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 53% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How Mount Saint Mary's University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in CA
Ranked #36 of 127 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 St Francis | 81 | $13,006 | $63,926 |
| #2 | University of Detroit Mercy | 79 | $15,232 | $71,030 |
| #3 | Baptist Health Sciences University | 75 | $11,212 | $72,529 |
| #4 | Holy Family University | 72 | $13,143 | $62,235 |
| #5 | Kalamazoo College | 68 | $19,072 | $65,590 |
| #6 | Carroll University | 67 | $15,193 | $58,009 |
| #36 | Mount Saint Mary's University | 45 | $21,413 | $72,379 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Mount Saint Mary's University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 10 in CA.
Best Programs at Mount Saint Mary's University
The highest-earning program at Mount Saint Mary's University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $75,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $23,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Mount Saint Mary's University earns $75,100, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $23,200. 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 $25,000 in median debt vs. $26,625 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $21,413/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 | $75,100 | $75,100 | $25,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $46,600 | $46,600 | $35,500 |
| Sociology | $28,700 | $28,700 | $27,500 |
| Psychology, General | $23,200 | $23,200 | $26,625 |
Similar Colleges in CA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Los Angeles, CA
- Student Body
- 1,719 students
- Admission Rate
- 73%
- Graduation Rate
- 53%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $21,413
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $72,379
- Median Student Debt
- $25,949