Saint Mary's College
Saint Mary's College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Saint Mary's College at a Glance
Saint Mary's College is a private Catholic women's liberal arts college in Notre Dame, Indiana, United States. Founded in 1844 by the Sisters of the Holy Cross, the name of the school refers to the Virgin Mary.
1844
182 years old
$311M
$311.2 million (2024)
1,600
167
75 acres
Identity
Is Saint Mary's College Worth It?
Saint Mary's College offers moderate value at $25,292/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $59,354, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 73% graduation rate means roughly 27% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Saint Mary's College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in IN
Ranked #27 of 157 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 | Kalamazoo College | 68 | $19,072 | $65,590 |
| #2 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #3 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| #4 | Clarkson College | 57 | $19,241 | $64,876 |
| #5 | Goldey-Beacom College | 56 | $15,554 | $59,892 |
| #6 | Nebraska Wesleyan University | 52 | $18,327 | $56,405 |
| #27 | Saint Mary's College | 43 | $25,292 | $59,354 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Saint Mary's College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 8 in IN.
Best Programs at Saint Mary's College
The highest-earning program at Saint Mary's College is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $59,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Biology, General at $26,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Saint Mary's College earns $59,000, while a Biology, General graduate earns $26,100. 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 $27,000 in median debt vs. $25,500 for Biology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $25,292/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 | $59,000 | $59,000 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $50,000 | $50,000 | $26,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $36,200 | $36,200 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $26,100 | $26,100 | $25,500 |
Similar Colleges in IN
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Notre Dame, IN
- Student Body
- 1,458 students
- Admission Rate
- 76%
- Graduation Rate
- 73%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $25,292
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $59,354
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000