St. Mary's University — ROI, Cost & Payback
St. Mary's University charges a net price of $21,145/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $84,580. Graduates earn a median $56,955 ten years after entry, $8,595/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 9.8 years — a 20-year net return of $87,320, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
St. Mary's University's 9.8-year payback ranks #786 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 39% of them, and #36 of 213 in Texas.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $21,145/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $84,580 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $56,955 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $8,595/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $25,563 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 9.8 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $87,320 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on St. Mary's University's own numbers. Net price $21,145 × 4 years = $84,580 total. Median earnings $56,955 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $8,595 a year of premium. $84,580 ÷ $8,595 = 9.8 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $87,320. 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 St. Mary's University students graduate with?
A median $25,563 in federal loans among completers, or 45% of the $56,955 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of St. Mary's University students graduate?
59% finish their degree — 41% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $84,580 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $143,356 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is St. Mary's University expensive compared with other Texas colleges?
Its $21,145 net price runs $1,786 above the $19,359 median across the 213 Texas colleges we profile, or $7,144 more across the full degree.