St. Mary's College of Maryland
St. Mary's College of Maryland — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
St. Mary's College of Maryland at a Glance
St. Mary's College of Maryland (SMCM) is a public liberal arts college in St. Mary's City, Maryland. Established in 1840, St. Mary's College is an honors college that claims to "offer an experience similar to that of an elite liberal arts college". With about 1,600 enrolled students, the institution offers bachelor's degrees in 21 disciplines, as well as a master's program and certification programs.
1634
392 years old
$39M
$39.45 million (2024)
1,646
1,517 undergrad · 32 grad
231
10:1 student:faculty
319 acres
28
30 minors
Identity
How to Apply to St. Mary's College of Maryland
Official admissions pageNov 1 (Early Decision I)
$50
Fee waiver available
Fee waiver
Is St. Mary's College of Maryland Worth It?
St. Mary's College of Maryland offers moderate value at $18,441/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $60,110, 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.
The 69% graduation rate means roughly 31% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How St. Mary's College of Maryland compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #6 of 39 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 | Bellingham Technical College | 92 | $5,997 | $49,748 |
| #2 | Bates Technical College | 86 | $6,292 | $50,051 |
| #3 | Renton Technical College | 76 | $8,296 | $49,782 |
| #4 | Lake Washington Institute of Technology | 71 | $6,817 | $50,669 |
| #5 | Charter Oak State College | 68 | $15,815 | $64,209 |
| #6 | St. Mary's College of Maryland | 56 | $18,441 | $60,110 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of St. Mary's College of Maryland's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at St. Mary's College of Maryland
The highest-earning program at St. Mary's College of Maryland is Computer and Information Sciences, General at $59,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Biology, General at $25,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer and Information Sciences, General graduate from St. Mary's College of Maryland earns $59,500, while a Biology, General graduate earns $25,100. 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: Computer and Information Sciences, General graduates carry $20,743 in median debt vs. $20,600 for Biology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $18,441/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $59,500 | $59,500 | $20,743 |
| Economics | $39,500 | $39,500 | $21,004 |
| Public Policy Analysis | $37,700 | $37,700 | $22,125 |
| Political Science and Government | $28,900 | $28,900 | $18,938 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $28,400 | $28,400 | $22,500 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $26,100 | $26,100 | $20,722 |
| Psychology, General | $25,700 | $25,700 | $20,500 |
| Biology, General | $25,100 | $25,100 | $20,600 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- St. Mary's City, MD
- Student Body
- 1,603 students
- Admission Rate
- 69%
- Graduation Rate
- 69%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $18,441
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $60,110
- Median Student Debt
- $21,000