Students at Marymount University achieve substantially higher earnings than similar students at other institutions, with graduates earning nearly $17,000 more annually than expected.
This earnings advantage places the university among the top quarter nationally for both overall and low-income student financial outcomes.
Marymount University delivers exceptionally strong earnings outcomes that place it among the top performers nationally for long-term financial returns. Located in Arlington, Virginia, this small private nonprofit university consistently produces graduates who earn significantly more than expected compared with similar students at other institutions. With median 10-year earnings of $67,516 and earnings beyond expectations of nearly $16,770, Marymount ranks in the 82nd percentile nationally for return on investment.
The university's strength lies in its focused academic programs and personalized approach to student success. About 22% of students receive Pell Grants and nearly 30% are first-generation college students, though access remains more limited than at larger public institutions. What sets Marymount apart is how effectively it converts that selectivity into career success—graduates consistently outperform earnings expectations by substantial margins.
As a small private research university in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, Marymount combines intimate class sizes with proximity to major employers in government, healthcare, technology, and business. The university's 58% six-year graduation rate reflects its commitment to student completion, while strong alumni networks in the region help graduates transition into well-paying careers across multiple industries.
Marymount University's program portfolio demonstrates focused strength in high-return professional fields. Nursing leads both in scale and outcomes, graduating 112 students annually with strong median earnings of $67,911, making it the university's primary economic engine. Business Administration enrolls the second-largest cohort with 87 graduates earning $49,084, providing solid returns in a versatile field that connects well with the Washington D.C. market.
The university shows strategic adaptation to emerging fields through its Artificial Intelligence program, which graduates 74 students with median earnings of $50,439. This reflects Marymount's ability to develop programs aligned with regional technology demand and federal contracting opportunities. Even programs with more modest early earnings, like Psychology at $28,598 for 54 graduates, benefit from the university's career services and alumni network advantages.
Marymount's concentrated program mix creates meaningful employer relationships and specialized career support that translate into the substantial earnings advantages graduates achieve. The university's small scale allows for personalized attention and industry connections that larger institutions often cannot match, particularly in the competitive Washington D.C. professional market.
Marymount University graduates achieve strong long-term financial outcomes that significantly exceed national expectations. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $67,516, placing the university in the 82nd percentile nationally for earnings performance. More impressive is the university's earnings beyond expectations advantage of $16,770—meaning graduates earn nearly $17,000 more annually than similar students at comparable institutions. This substantial earnings premium reflects both the quality of academic programs and the university's strategic location in the high-opportunity Washington D.C. market.
The university's strongest financial returns come from its nursing programs, which graduate 112 students annually with median earnings of $67,911. Business Administration, the largest program with 87 graduates, produces solid outcomes at $49,084 in median earnings. The emerging Artificial Intelligence program shows promise with 74 graduates earning $50,439, reflecting Marymount's adaptation to high-demand technology fields. Even programs like Psychology, while showing more modest early earnings at $28,598, benefit from the university's overall career services and alumni network advantages.
Marymount's concentrated program portfolio and small scale create meaningful employer relationships and personalized career support that translate into measurable earnings advantages. The university's location in Arlington provides direct access to federal agencies, major contractors, healthcare systems, and technology companies that actively recruit from the campus.
Affordability at Marymount University requires careful financial planning, as net prices reflect the premium associated with small private education. Low-income students pay approximately $21,888 annually, while middle-income families face costs around $24,661, and higher-income families pay about $28,619. These prices place Marymount in the 26th percentile nationally for affordability, meaning costs run higher than most comparable institutions.
Despite higher upfront costs, the university's strong earnings outcomes help justify the investment for many families. Federal student loan debt averages $25,000, which is manageable given graduates' median earnings of $67,516 ten years out. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $34,580, reflecting families' willingness to invest in the premium education and career outcomes that Marymount provides. The university maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates successfully manage their debt obligations.
The key to Marymount's affordability equation is the substantial earnings premium graduates achieve—nearly $17,000 annually beyond expectations. This earnings advantage, combined with strong loan repayment performance where borrowers pay down balances faster than national averages, helps offset the higher initial investment. For families who can manage the upfront costs, Marymount delivers measurable long-term financial returns.
Marymount University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
