University of Mary
#3 Best Nursing Colleges in North Dakota- Graduation Rate
- 67% B-
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $60,909 A-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $17,770 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 75% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 21.8× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $21.8 over 20 years. Ranked #3 in Best Nursing Colleges in North Dakota.
Every $1 spent returns $21.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,479,300.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Earnings 49% above the national college median.
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Social mobility rate of 2.43% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $21.8 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why University of Mary Matters
University of Mary is a private doctoral / professional university in Bismarck, ND and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. 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
- 2,416
- Setting
- Rural
- Designations
- 30
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Education, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose University of Mary
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 75% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1110–1340. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $17,770 a year after grants and scholarships — 4% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $60,909 ten years after enrolling — 49% above the typical college, against $24,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.4% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 18% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.67 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 75%, the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND, is a solid choice for students seeking a welcoming environment. It’s particularly well-suited for those interested in health professions, business, education, psychology, or biology. This diverse set of programs allows students to explore various career paths while receiving a strong foundation in their field of choice.
Looking at life after graduation, students from the University of Mary can expect to earn around $60,909 after ten years. This figure highlights the potential for a comfortable living, especially considering the median debt of $24,000. Affordability is key here, with a net price of $17,770 after aid, making it a feasible option for many. This balance between earnings and debt is crucial for students looking to advance in their careers without being overwhelmed by financial burdens.
When it comes to the practical aspects of attending, students who thrive at the University of Mary are often those who appreciate a close-knit community and a supportive academic atmosphere. The 67% graduation rate underscores that many students find their footing and complete their degrees. With manageable costs and decent earning potential, it’s a place where we can envision a bright future without excessive financial strain.
Rankings
- #3 Best Nursing Colleges in North Dakota
- #4 Best Master's Programs in North Dakota
- #4 Best Education Colleges in North Dakota
- #6 Best Colleges in North Dakota
- #6 Best Online Colleges in North Dakota
- #6 Best Business Colleges in North Dakota
- #15 Most Affordable Colleges in North Dakota
- #15 Highest-Paying Colleges for Psychology
Can I Get In?
How selective University of Mary 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 University of Mary? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Bismarck, North Dakota, University of Mary admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 75%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,159. The graduation rate is roughly 67%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 75%
- Retention Rate
- 84%
- SAT Average
- 1159
- SAT Range
- 1110–1340
- ACT Range
- 21–26
- Full-Time Faculty
- 62%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,186
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.38
- First-Gen Students
- 18%
- Applicants
- 1,499
- Admitted
- 1,220
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 University of Mary? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Mary is $22,356, 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 $17,770. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,593 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $22,356
- Out-of-State
- $22,356
- Avg Net Price
- $17,770
- Median Debt
- $24,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 21%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 44%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $11,593
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $12,282
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $13,087
- Family Income $110K+
- $20,063
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 University of Mary — 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 University of Mary Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Mary earn a median of $60,909, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $50,191
- 8 Years
- $55,628
- 10 Years
- $60,909
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.39x
- Earning > $25K
- 81%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (193)
- 46%
- 100% (193)
- 46%
- 100% (193)
- 46%
- 100% (193)
- 46%
How University 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 University of Mary Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of Mary delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $17,770/year ($71,080 total). Graduates earn $60,909 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,550,380 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,479,300 (21.8× your investment). The median debt is $24,000, 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)
- $71,080
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,550,380
- Net Return
- $1,479,300
- ROI Multiple
- 21.8×
- Cost Per Year
- $17,770
- Median Debt
- $24,000
- 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 University of Mary Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of Mary is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.43%, among the highest in the country. About 5.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 43% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $79,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 2.43%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 43.0%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 5.6%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $108,284
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $1,433,265
- Investment Income
- $-8,007,048
Top Programs
The fields University of Mary 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 23% $67,300 early-career
- Business & Marketing 18% $64,589 early-career
- Education 12% $45,495 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 8%
- Psychology 8%
- Humanities 4%
- Computer Science & IT 4%
- Engineering 3%
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 University of Mary'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
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Mary? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Bismarck, North Dakota, University of Mary admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 75%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,159. The graduation rate is roughly 67%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Mary? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Mary is $22,356, 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 $17,770. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,593 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,000 in federal student loans.
Is University of Mary Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Mary earn a median of $60,909, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does University of Mary Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of Mary is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.43%, among the highest in the country. About 5.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 43% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $79,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is University of Mary? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Mary. Its economic connectedness score is 1.67, 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 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of Mary.
- North Central CollegeNaperville, IL · Close peer68% grad $60,123 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Canisius UniversityBuffalo, NY · Close peer69% grad $60,681 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- York College of PennsylvaniaYork, PA · Close peer62% grad $61,012 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Concordia University-Saint PaulSaint Paul, MN · Close peer52% grad $59,871 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar net price
- St. Joseph's University-New YorkBrooklyn, NY · Close peer67% grad $63,905 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Gannon UniversityErie, PA · Close peer68% grad $58,845 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of Mary? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Mary. Its economic connectedness score is 1.67, 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 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note