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University of Mary — ROI, Cost & Payback

Private nonprofit · Bismarck, ND · 2,416 students

The verdict

University of Mary charges a net price of $17,770/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $71,080. Graduates earn a median $60,909 ten years after entry, $12,549/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 5.7 years — a 20-year net return of $179,900, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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University of Mary's 5.7-year payback ranks #504 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 61% of them, and #4 of 17 in North Dakota.

Better ROI than 61% of US colleges#504 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$17,770
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$60,909
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
5.7 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
75%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
University of Mary: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$17,770/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$71,080our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$60,909Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$12,549/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$24,000Scorecard, 2026
Payback5.7 yrsour math
20-year net return$179,900our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

The arithmetic, on University of Mary's own numbers. Net price $17,770 × 4 years = $71,080 total. Median earnings $60,909 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $12,549 a year of premium. $71,080 ÷ $12,549 = 5.7 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $179,900. 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 University of Mary students graduate with?

A median $24,000 in federal loans among completers, or 39% of the $60,909 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.

What share of University of Mary students graduate?

67% finish their degree — 33% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $71,080 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $106,090 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.

Is University of Mary expensive compared with other North Dakota colleges?

Its $17,770 net price runs $6,314 above the $11,456 median across the 17 North Dakota colleges we profile, or $25,256 more across the full degree.

University of Mary: frequently asked questions

Is University of Mary worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. University of Mary charges $17,770/yr after aid ($71,080 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $60,909 ten years out — $12,549/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 5.7 years and returns $179,900 net over 20 years, a solid payback.
How long does a University of Mary degree take to pay off?
About 5.7 years. We divide the $71,080 four-year net cost by the $12,549/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does University of Mary cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $17,770/yr — about $71,080 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does University of Mary compare to other North Dakota colleges?
It ranks #4 of 17 North Dakota colleges we track by payback. Its $60,909 median earnings beat the national median of $43,549, and its $17,770 net price is above the national median of $16,902.