Notre Dame, IN · Private University
Is Saint Mary's College Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$59,354
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$51,430
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$51,430
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$205,720
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.15x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
8.4 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
76.5%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$27,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$28,552
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Saint Mary's College graduates earn $14,354 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Saint Mary's College ranked by graduate earnings
42 graduates
19 graduates
58 graduates
35 graduates
17 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Saint Mary's College
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Saint Mary's College, the gap between the highest-earning major (Business Administration, Management and Operations: $74,163) and the lowest (International/Global Studies: $25,164) is $48,999/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and OperationsBest ROI | $74,163 | 1.4x |
| Accounting and Related Services(1yr data) | $71,234 | 1.4x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $67,942 | 1.3x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $57,637 | 1.1x |
| Psychology, General | $47,897 | 0.9x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $46,956 | 0.9x |
| International/Global StudiesLowest(1yr data) | $25,164 | 0.5x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Mary's College | 1.15x | $59,354 | Average ROI |
| Luther College | 1.19x | $59,850 | Average ROI |
| Coe College | 1.09x | $57,125 | Average ROI |
| Kalamazoo College | 1.12x | $65,590 | Average ROI |
| Cornell College | 1.06x | $53,460 | Average ROI |
| Knox College | 0.99x | $54,820 | Below Average |
The Bottom Line
Saint Mary's College delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $59,354 10 years after starting — $14,354 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 8.4 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.