Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
#1 Best Nursing Colleges in Minnesota- Graduation Rate
- 67% B-
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $58,170 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $11,704 B-
- 32% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 93% D
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 26.7× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $26.7 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Nursing Colleges in Minnesota.
Every $1 spent returns $26.7 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,201,083.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 43% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $26.7 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Matters
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is a private doctoral / professional university in Winona, MN and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network and low net price paired with solid completion. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Doctoral / Professional University
- Carnegie Class
- Doctoral/Professional
- Enrollment
- 1,073
- Setting
- Town
- Designations
- 30
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Biology & Biomedical, Criminal Justice
Why students choose Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
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
Accessible — admits about 93% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $11,704 a year after grants and scholarships — 32% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $58,170 ten years after enrolling — 43% above the typical college, against $21,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.8% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 89% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.71 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of just over 1,000 students, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota offers a cozy atmosphere for those looking to focus on their studies without the bustle of a larger campus. This school is a good fit for individuals who thrive in smaller class settings and are interested in fields like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Psychology, Computer Science & IT, and Biology & Biomedical. The high acceptance rate of 93% suggests that the university aims to welcome a diverse group of students, making it accessible to many.
After graduation, students can expect to earn an average salary of $58,170 within ten years. This figure provides a solid foundation for those entering the workforce, particularly when considering the relatively affordable nature of the education here. With a net price of $11,704 after aid, many graduates find themselves in a better financial position compared to their peers, especially when taking into account the median debt of $21,500. This balance between earnings and debt can significantly impact one's financial mobility post-college.
When it comes to the bottom line, students at Saint Mary's can anticipate manageable costs, especially when comparing the net price to the potential earnings they can achieve. The financial aid options available, such as Pell Grants for about 25% of the student body, help reduce the burden for those who qualify. Overall, students who tend to thrive here are those who value a supportive community, are eager to engage in their studies, and are looking for a practical path toward their career goals.
Rankings
- #1 Best Nursing Colleges in Minnesota
- #1 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Minnesota
- #3 Best Business Colleges in Minnesota
- #5 Most Affordable Colleges in Minnesota
- #5 Best Online Colleges in Minnesota
- #8 Best Computer Science Colleges in Minnesota
- #8 Best Data Science Colleges in Minnesota
- #9 Best Education Colleges in Minnesota
Can I Get In?
How selective Saint Mary's University of Minnesota 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 Saint Mary's University of Minnesota? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Winona, Minnesota, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 93%. The graduation rate is roughly 67%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 93%
- Retention Rate
- 75%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 27%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,511
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.65
- First-Gen Students
- 26%
- Applicants
- 1,071
- Admitted
- 1,037
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 Saint Mary's University of Minnesota? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is $45,080, 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 $11,704. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $16,182 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $45,080
- Out-of-State
- $45,080
- Avg Net Price
- $11,704
- Median Debt
- $21,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 25%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 46%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $16,182
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $15,175
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $15,030
- Family Income $110K+
- $6,135
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 Saint Mary's University of Minnesota — 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 Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Saint Mary's University of Minnesota earn a median of $58,170, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $54,549
- 8 Years
- $58,719
- 10 Years
- $58,170
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.37x
- Earning > $25K
- 74%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (196)
- 59%
- 100% (196)
- 59%
- 100% (196)
- 59%
- 100% (196)
- 59%
How Saint 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 Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $11,704/year ($46,816 total). Graduates earn $58,170 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,247,899 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,201,083 (26.7× your investment). The median debt is $21,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 67% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $46,816
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,247,899
- Net Return
- $1,201,083
- ROI Multiple
- 26.7×
- Cost Per Year
- $11,704
- Median Debt
- $21,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 67%
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 Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota 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 0.77%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 3.8% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 20.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $105,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.77%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 20.4%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 3.8%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $143,881
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $6,788,803
- Investment Income
- $-3,684,988
Top Programs
The fields Saint Mary's University of Minnesota 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.
- Business & Marketing 26% $70,251 early-career
- Health Professions 21% $115,339 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 10% $55,985 early-career
- Criminal Justice 8% $58,971 early-career
- Psychology 7% $43,251 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 6% $62,657 early-career
- Education 3% $42,504 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 2% $25,014 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 Saint Mary's University of Minnesota'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
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Saint Mary's University of Minnesota? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Winona, Minnesota, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 93%. The graduation rate is roughly 67%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Saint Mary's University of Minnesota? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is $45,080, 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 $11,704. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $16,182 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,500 in federal student loans.
Is Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Saint Mary's University of Minnesota earn a median of $58,170, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota 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 0.77%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 3.8% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 20.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $105,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Saint Mary's University of Minnesota? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. Its economic connectedness score is 1.71, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Saint Mary's University of Minnesota.
- Loras CollegeDubuque, IA · Close peer69% grad $58,289 earn 100% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Westminster CollegeNew Wilmington, PA · Close peer65% grad $53,861 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Central CollegePella, IA · Close peer68% grad $54,317 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Minnesota-CrookstonCrookston, MN · Close peer50% grad $58,056 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Albion CollegeAlbion, MI · Close peer59% grad $58,799 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Simpson CollegeIndianola, IA · Close peer64% grad $59,274 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Saint Mary's University of Minnesota? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. Its economic connectedness score is 1.71, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note