Saint Mary's University of Minnesota — ROI, Cost & Payback
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota charges a net price of $11,704/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $46,816. Graduates earn a median $58,170 ten years after entry, $9,810/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 4.8 years — a 20-year net return of $149,384, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota's 4.8-year payback ranks #401 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 69% of them, and #8 of 68 in Minnesota.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $11,704/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $46,816 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $58,170 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $9,810/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $21,500 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 4.8 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $149,384 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Saint Mary's University of Minnesota's own numbers. Net price $11,704 × 4 years = $46,816 total. Median earnings $58,170 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $9,810 a year of premium. $46,816 ÷ $9,810 = 4.8 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $149,384. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Saint Mary's University of Minnesota students graduate with?
A median $21,500 in federal loans among completers, or 37% of the $58,170 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Saint Mary's University of Minnesota students graduate?
66% finish their degree — 34% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $46,816 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $70,933 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Saint Mary's University of Minnesota expensive compared with other Minnesota colleges?
Its $11,704 net price runs $5,117 below the $16,821 median across the 68 Minnesota colleges we profile, and $20,466 less across the full degree.