St. Mary's University
St. Mary's University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
St. Mary's University at a Glance
St. Mary's University is a private Catholic university in San Antonio, Texas, United States. Founded by the Society of Mary (Marianists) in 1852, St. Mary's is the oldest Catholic university in Texas and the American Southwest.
1852
174 years old
$263M
$263 million (2024)
2,139
135 acres
Identity
Is St. Mary's University Worth It?
St. Mary's University offers moderate value at $21,145/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $56,955, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 60% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 98% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How St. Mary's University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in TX
Ranked #21 of 94 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 | Saint Peter's University | 72 | $12,199 | $57,815 |
| #3 | Trinity Washington University | 67 | $9,302 | $53,804 |
| #4 | Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus | 54 | $15,404 | $57,273 |
| #5 | La Salle University | 50 | $19,409 | $67,416 |
| #6 | Waynesburg University | 50 | $18,235 | $58,537 |
| #21 | St. Mary's University | 40 | $21,145 | $56,955 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of St. Mary's University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 7 in TX.
Best Programs at St. Mary's University
The highest-earning program at St. Mary's University is Accounting and Related Services at $53,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Health and Physical Education/Fitness at $22,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Accounting and Related Services graduate from St. Mary's University earns $53,500, while a Health and Physical Education/Fitness graduate earns $22,000. 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: Accounting and Related Services graduates carry $26,900 in median debt vs. $24,000 for Health and Physical Education/Fitness.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $21,145/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | $53,500 | $53,500 | $26,900 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $47,200 | $47,200 | $24,432 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $38,400 | $38,400 | N/A |
| English Language and Literature, General | $31,700 | $31,700 | $25,250 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $30,800 | $30,800 | $35,875 |
| Criminology | $30,200 | $30,200 | $31,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $28,300 | $28,300 | $26,000 |
| Psychology, General | $27,900 | $27,900 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General | $26,400 | $26,400 | $27,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $22,000 | $22,000 | $24,000 |
Similar Colleges in TX
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- San Antonio, TX
- Student Body
- 1,951 students
- Admission Rate
- 98%
- Graduation Rate
- 60%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $21,145
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $56,955
- Median Student Debt
- $25,563