Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota at a Glance
The Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (SMUMN) is a private Catholic university with its primary campuses in Winona and Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. It comprises an undergraduate residential college in Winona; graduate and professional programs in Winona, the Twin Cities, and Rochester; and course delivery sites in Minnesota and Wisconsin as well as Jamaica. The institution was founded in 1912 and is associated with the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, also known a…
1912
114 years old
3,656
1,083 undergrad · 2,573 grad
Identity
Is Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Worth It?
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $11,704/year net price and $58,170 median earnings, graduates earn 5.0× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 67% graduation rate means roughly 33% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With a 93% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: Saint Mary's University of Minnesota delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Saint Mary's University of Minnesota compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in MN
Ranked #1 of 142 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 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 83 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| #2 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #3 | Trinity Washington University | 67 | $9,302 | $53,804 |
| #4 | Goldey-Beacom College | 56 | $15,554 | $59,892 |
| #5 | Goshen College | 56 | $14,493 | $51,943 |
| #6 | Waynesburg University | 50 | $18,235 | $58,537 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Saint Mary's University of Minnesota's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 5 in MN.
Best Programs at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
The highest-earning program at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $88,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other at $31,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota earns $88,400, while a Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other graduate earns $31,000. 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 $17,189 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $11,704/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 | $88,400 | $88,400 | $17,189 |
| Information Science/Studies | $61,400 | $61,400 | $18,750 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $56,100 | $56,100 | N/A |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $49,500 | $49,500 | $18,898 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $48,500 | $48,500 | $18,750 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $47,000 | $47,000 | $22,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $45,200 | $45,200 | $21,490 |
| Marketing | $39,800 | $39,800 | $25,000 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $39,200 | $39,200 | $15,701 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $34,000 | $34,000 | $27,000 |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other | $31,000 | $31,000 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in MN
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Winona, MN
- Student Body
- 1,073 students
- Admission Rate
- 93%
- Graduation Rate
- 67%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $11,704
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $58,170
- Median Student Debt
- $21,500