University of Mary is a private nonprofit institution offering graduate degrees based in Bismarck, North Dakota. It enrolls 2,416 students (a mid-sized student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Strong
74/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes70
Value73
Affordability41
Selectivity50
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 75.3%, University of Mary is broadly accessible to qualified applicants.
Acceptance Rate
75.3%
Easy
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1110 – 1340
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
21 – 26
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether University of Mary is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Stable ↑
4.7 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending University of Mary isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $17,770 per year. That's below the typical net price for private nonprofit colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$17,770
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
21%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
44%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees
$22,356
Room & Board (on-campus)
$9,276
Room & Board (off-campus)
$13,300
Books & Supplies
$1,222
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$4,318
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$4,318
Total Cost of Attendance
$33,672
Application fee: $30 (one-time, due at submission)
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$11,593
$30,001 – $48,000
$12,282
$48,001 – $75,000
$13,087
$75,001 – $110,000
$16,001
Over $110,000
$20,063
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$3,75010%percentile
$6,50025%percentile
$24,000Medianpercentile
$25,19675%percentile
$31,00090%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $20,340
↓ $3,660
No Pell $17,370
↓ $6,630
Dependent students $18,500
↓ $5,500
Independent students $19,244
↓ $4,756
Female students $18,813
↓ $5,187
Male students $18,576
↓ $5,424
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $8,750, less than completers ($24,000), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
55% of full-time students who enrolled at University of Mary graduate within six years, and 83% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
55%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
83%
Returning for their second year
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered University of Mary earn a median of $60,909 ten years after first enrolling. That's above the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$60,909
Earning > $25K
85%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$46,900
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$62,700
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$44,400
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$55,700
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$55,400
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $15,800, about 25% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
10.6 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Excellent. 93% of graduates were paying down at least $1 of principal seven years out.
Who Studies Here
University of Mary is home to 2,416 students, a mid-sized community.
Total Enrolled
2,416
Part-Time
13%
First-Generation
18%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 78.6%1,898
Other 4.7%113
International 3.3%79
Black 2.7%64
Asian 1.6%39
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at University of Mary. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Rural: FringeBismarck, North Dakota
Housing
Mostly residential1,441 beds on campus
Adult Learners
12%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
Designation
Religiously affiliated
What You Can Study
University of Mary offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
61 distinct programs across
22 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at University of Mary is 10:1, low (small classes, more faculty contact).
Student : Faculty
10:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Endowment
$159M
Solid financial position
Avg Faculty Salary
$75,558
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
169 instructional faculty across 5 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
15
9%
$85,278
Associate Professors
43
25%
$80,074
Assistant Professors
97
57%
$72,385
Instructors
12
7%
$45,061
No Rank
2
1%
—
Pros & Cons of University of Mary
A quick at-a-glance summary of how University of Mary tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Below-average net price
Accessible admissions for most applicants
Small classes (low student-faculty ratio)
Solid post-graduation earnings
CONS
Predominantly serves middle- and upper-income families
Best for:
Based on the data, University of Mary is a fit for
students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier.
Frequently Asked Questions about University of Mary
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about University of Mary.
Is University of Mary hard to get into?
University of Mary has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted. Acceptance rate: 75.3%.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Mary?
University of Mary has an acceptance rate of 75.3%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for University of Mary?
The middle 50% of admitted students at University of Mary scored between 1110 and 1340 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
What ACT score do you need for University of Mary?
The middle 50% of admitted students at University of Mary scored between 21 and 26 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does University of Mary cost?
The average net price after aid at University of Mary is $17,770 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is University of Mary worth it?
Solid return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $60,909 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $17,770 per year. That's roughly 3.4x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is University of Mary known for?
University of Mary is best known for its programs in Business Administration, Rehabilitation, Nursing. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do University of Mary graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering University of Mary are $60,909, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is University of Mary accredited?
Yes. University of Mary is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How many students attend University of Mary?
University of Mary enrolls 2,416 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at University of Mary?
University of Mary graduates 55% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is University of Mary a public or private college?
University of Mary is a Private Nonprofit institution.
Where is University of Mary located?
University of Mary is located in Bismarck, North Dakota.
What programs does University of Mary offer?
University of Mary offers 61 distinct programs. The most popular include Business Administration, Rehabilitation, Nursing.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at University of Mary?
The student-to-faculty ratio at University of Mary is 10:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
Related Colleges in North Dakota
Other colleges in North Dakota share the same applicant pool, regional economy, and academic landscape. Comparing nearby options puts admissions, costs, and outcomes in context, useful when weighing your fit against local alternatives.
Teacher Education (K-12)
Teaching Specific Subjects
Teaching Specific Subjects
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