Saint Martin's University
Saint Martin's University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Saint Martin's University at a Glance
Saint Martin's University is a private Benedictine university in Lacey, Washington. It was founded in 1895 as a boys' boarding school run by the monks of St. Martin's Abbey, Washington. Saint Martin's began offering college-level courses in 1900 and became a degree-granting institution in 1940. The college became coeducational in 1965. In 2005, it changed its name from Saint Martin's College to Saint Martin's University. The abbey is on the campus grounds and some members of the monastic communi…
1895
131 years old
1,387
1,186 undergrad · 201 grad
380 acres
Identity
Is Saint Martin's University Worth It?
At a value score of 30/100, Saint Martin's University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $62,092 — 15% above average — while paying $28,119/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 55% 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.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Saint Martin's University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Saint Martin's University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in WA
Ranked #70 of 125 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 | Baptist Health Sciences University | 75 | $11,212 | $72,529 |
| #5 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #6 | Trinity Washington University | 67 | $9,302 | $53,804 |
| #70 | Saint Martin's University | 30 | $28,119 | $62,092 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Saint Martin's University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 4 in WA.
Best Programs at Saint Martin's University
The highest-earning program at Saint Martin's University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $67,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Biology, General at $27,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Saint Martin's University earns $67,600, while a Biology, General graduate earns $27,100. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $28,119/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 | $67,600 | $67,600 | N/A |
| Civil Engineering | $58,400 | $58,400 | $24,658 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $52,600 | $52,600 | $26,960 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $42,200 | $42,200 | $24,609 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $35,800 | $35,800 | $23,250 |
| Psychology, General | $30,200 | $30,200 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $27,100 | $27,100 | $26,000 |
Similar Colleges in WA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Lacey, WA
- Student Body
- 1,158 students
- Admission Rate
- 90%
- Graduation Rate
- 55%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $28,119
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $62,092
- Median Student Debt
- $22,500