Students at Saint Mary's College achieve earnings that place the institution in the top 20% nationally, reflecting strong career preparation and professional program outcomes.
The college's focus on nursing, business, and other career-oriented fields helps graduates transition successfully into stable, well-paying careers.
Saint Mary's College delivers strong long-term value through a combination of solid earnings outcomes and high graduation rates, though affordability remains a key consideration for most families. Located in Notre Dame, Indiana, this small private college focuses on preparing women for successful careers, with graduates earning a median of $59,354 ten years after enrollment—placing the institution in the top 20% nationally for earnings outcomes among similar colleges.
The college's strength lies in its professional programs, particularly nursing and business administration, which consistently produce graduates who enter stable, well-paying careers. With a 77% six-year graduation rate and strong alumni networks in healthcare, business, and education, Saint Mary's provides the personalized attention and career preparation that many students seek from a small college environment.
As a women's college with a Catholic mission, Saint Mary's serves a specific student population seeking both academic rigor and values-based education. While net prices are higher than typical public options, the college's focus on career preparation and its track record of graduate success make it a solid investment for families who prioritize the small college experience and can manage the financial commitment required.
Saint Mary's College's program portfolio reflects its mission as a women's college focused on preparing graduates for professional careers. The standout program is Adult Health Nursing, which combines substantial enrollment with strong earnings—47 graduates earn a median of $59,599 ten years out, reflecting the high demand for healthcare professionals and the college's strong clinical partnerships in the region.
Business Administration and Management represents the college's largest program with 44 graduates, producing solid median earnings of $53,537 that reflect the program's focus on practical business skills and leadership development. The college's business program benefits from its location near major Midwest markets and strong alumni networks in corporate and nonprofit sectors.
What distinguishes Saint Mary's is how consistently its programs prepare students for immediate career entry rather than requiring additional graduate education. The college's small size allows for personalized career counseling and internship placement, helping students in all majors—from nursing to business to liberal arts—develop the professional networks and practical skills needed for career success. This focus on career readiness helps explain why graduates across programs achieve stable, predictable earnings that justify the investment families make in a Saint Mary's education.
Saint Mary's College graduates achieve solid long-term earnings that reflect the institution's focus on career-oriented programs. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $59,354, placing the college in the top 20% nationally for earnings outcomes. This performance is particularly strong given the college's emphasis on fields like nursing, education, and business, which provide stable career pathways and consistent earning potential over time.
The college's program mix drives much of this success. Adult Health Nursing stands out as both a high-return and substantial program, with 47 graduates earning a median of $59,599 ten years out, reflecting the strong demand for healthcare professionals. Business Administration and Management, the college's largest program with 44 graduates, produces median earnings of $53,537, demonstrating solid outcomes in a competitive field. These programs, along with other professional tracks, benefit from Saint Mary's strong alumni networks and employer relationships in the Midwest.
What makes Saint Mary's particularly valuable is its consistency—graduates across programs tend to achieve predictable, stable earnings rather than the wide variation seen at larger institutions. The college's small size and personalized career services help ensure that students in all majors receive the support needed to translate their education into meaningful career opportunities, contributing to the institution's strong overall return on investment.
Affordability at Saint Mary's College requires careful family planning, as net prices are higher than typical public options but reflect the comprehensive support and small college experience the institution provides. Low-income students pay about $17,918 annually after aid, while middle-income families see costs around $21,529, and higher-income families pay approximately $33,026. These prices place Saint Mary's in the bottom 20% nationally for affordability, meaning families pay more than at most comparable institutions.
The college's aid structure does provide meaningful support for students from lower-income backgrounds, with nearly 24% of students receiving Pell Grants and substantial institutional aid helping to reduce sticker prices. However, the overall cost structure means that most families will need to plan carefully and potentially take on debt to make Saint Mary's financially feasible. The college's strong graduation rates—77% complete degrees within six years—help ensure that students who enroll are likely to finish and benefit from their investment.
What helps offset the higher costs is the college's track record of preparing graduates for stable, well-paying careers. With median earnings of nearly $60,000 ten years out and strong performance in professional fields like nursing and business, graduates are generally well-positioned to manage any debt they take on during college. The combination of personalized attention, strong career services, and alumni networks helps justify the premium families pay for the Saint Mary's experience.
Saint Mary's College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
