Mount Saint Mary's University
#9 Best Nursing Colleges in California- Graduation Rate
- 53% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $72,379 A
- Top 6% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $21,413 D+
- 25% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 73% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 20.7× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $20.7 over 20 years. Ranked #9 in Best Nursing Colleges in California.
Every $1 spent returns $20.7 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,683,846.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduates earn 77% more than the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $20.7 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Mount Saint Mary's University Matters
Mount Saint Mary's University is a private university in Los Angeles, CA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 6% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 1,719
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HSI · 30
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Psychology, Business & Marketing, Social Sciences
Why students choose Mount Saint Mary's University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 73% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $21,413 a year after grants and scholarships — 25% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $72,379 ten years after enrolling — 77% above the typical college, against $25,949 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.0% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 78% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.55 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Students at Mount Saint Mary's University can expect to earn an average of $72,379 within ten years of graduation. This strong earning potential highlights the university's focus on career-ready programs, particularly in health professions, psychology, and business.
The Chetty/Opportunity Insights data sheds light on the economic mobility of graduates. While specific mobility rates are not available, the university serves a diverse student body, with 57% of students receiving Pell Grants, indicating a commitment to accessibility for low-income students. This financial support can play a critical role in helping students climb the economic ladder post-graduation.
Financially, students face a net price of $21,413 and a median debt of $25,949. Graduates who thrive here are often those drawn to the health and social sciences fields, where practical experience is integrated into the curriculum. The supportive community and focus on personal growth also appeal to students seeking a nurturing environment for their academic journey.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Mount Saint Mary's University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Mount Saint Mary's University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Mount Saint Mary's University, located in Los Angeles, California, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 73%. The graduation rate is roughly 53%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 73%
- Retention Rate
- 71%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 30%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,605
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.63
- First-Gen Students
- 50%
- Applicants
- 2,405
- Admitted
- 1,822
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Mount Saint Mary's University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Mount Saint Mary's University is $49,564, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $21,413. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $23,849 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,949 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $49,564
- Out-of-State
- $49,564
- Avg Net Price
- $21,413
- Median Debt
- $25,949
- Pell Grant Rate
- 57%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 68%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $23,849
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $13,718
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $17,876
- Family Income $110K+
- $18,762
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Mount Saint Mary's University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Mount Saint Mary's University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Mount Saint Mary's University earn a median of $72,379, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $61,335
- 8 Years
- $67,516
- 10 Years
- $72,379
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.36x
- Earning > $25K
- 80%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (112)
- 43%
- 100% (112)
- 43%
- 100% (112)
- 43%
- 100% (112)
- 43%
How Mount Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Mount Saint Mary's University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Mount Saint Mary's University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $21,413/year ($85,652 total). Graduates earn $72,379 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,769,498 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,683,846 (20.7× your investment). The median debt is $25,949, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 53% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $85,652
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,769,498
- Net Return
- $1,683,846
- ROI Multiple
- 20.7×
- Cost Per Year
- $21,413
- Median Debt
- $25,949
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 53%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Mount Saint Mary's University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Mount Saint Mary's University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.97%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 3.1% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 31.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $111,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.97%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 31.1%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 3.1%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $151,761
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-15,433,795
Top Programs
The fields Mount Saint Mary's University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Health Professions 49% $97,030 early-career
- Psychology 13% $39,013 early-career
- Business & Marketing 9% $57,348 early-career
- Social Sciences 5% $38,691 early-career
- Education 3% $67,227 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 3% $49,387 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 3% $42,534 early-career
- Humanities 2% $32,603 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Mount Saint Mary's University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Physician Assistant$130,020 · 28% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Mount Saint Mary's University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Mount Saint Mary's University, located in Los Angeles, California, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 73%. The graduation rate is roughly 53%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Mount Saint Mary's University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Mount Saint Mary's University is $49,564, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $21,413. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $23,849 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,949 in federal student loans.
Is Mount Saint Mary's University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Mount Saint Mary's University earn a median of $72,379, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
Does Mount Saint Mary's University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Mount Saint Mary's University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.97%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 3.1% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 31.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $111,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Mount Saint Mary's University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Mount Saint Mary's University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.55, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Mount Saint Mary's University.
- South Dakota School of Mines and TechnologyRapid City, SD · Close peer56% grad $72,257 earn 80% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Emmanuel CollegeBoston, MA · Close peer67% grad $68,245 earn 76% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Concordia University-IrvineIrvine, CA · Close peer60% grad $65,083 earn 66% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Muhlenberg CollegeAllentown, PA · Close peer81% grad $69,107 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Vanguard University of Southern CaliforniaCosta Mesa, CA · Close peer56% grad $59,541 earn 62% acceptWhy: similar grad rate · similar size · similar net price
- DePauw UniversityGreencastle, IN · Close peer77% grad $70,527 earn 57% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Mount Saint Mary's University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Mount Saint Mary's University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.55, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note