For access among nonprofit four-year institutions
For mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks St. Mary's University #864 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn in the 88.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. St. Mary's University sits in the 55.6 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- St. Mary's University's composite ranking reflects strong financial outcomes for graduates, with earnings that earn about $11,909 more than similar students at comparable institutions. This performance places the university among the stronger-performing private four-year institutions nationally for both expected and actual earnings.
Azimuth ranks St. Mary's University #864 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 41.6 percentile for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's university in San Antonio, TX, St. Mary's University enrolls roughly 1,951 undergraduates. Retention is 73.0% and the six-year graduation rate is 58.9%, reflecting solid conversion of enrollment into degree completion. Where St. Mary's University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks St. Mary's University #658 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 55.6 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $11,909 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing St. Mary's University in the 88.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's dominant program family is Business, which aligns with strong labor-market demand and contributes to the solid financial outcomes graduates achieve. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. St. Mary's University sits in the 29.4 percentile for access and the 45.4 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. With 38.6% of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants and 38.7% identifying as first-generation college students, the institution serves a meaningful population of students from lower-income and first-generation backgrounds. Mobility outcomes, reflected in the 44.0 percentile for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions, show that graduates move into stable career pathways, though the composite is anchored most strongly in the return pillar where St. Mary's University delivers measurable earnings advantages.
St. Mary's University's published cost of attendance is $47,999. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $18,352; middle-income families pay around $20,553; higher-income families pay approximately $24,649. Azimuth ranks St. Mary's University #778 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 45.4 percentile for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. St. Mary's University meets demonstrated financial need for admitted students through need-based aid, with no merit component. Families apply using the FAFSA and CSS Profile. The aid structure combines institutional grants, federal and state aid, and work-study opportunities to close the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,563, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $16,723; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $58,545, median federal debt of $25,563 projects to a monthly payment of about $289 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
St. Mary's University is a strong fit for students interested in Business and related fields who want a private university experience in TX, with outcomes that consistently outperform expectations for similar institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $58,545, placing St. Mary's University in the 38.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $11,909 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 88.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls a meaningful share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 38.6% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 38.7% are first-generation — while maintaining strong completion rates for this cohort. Published cost of attendance is $24,649, with need-based aid available to close the gap for qualifying families. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 97.8% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors Business and related fields. Students whose interests align with these areas will find strong outcomes relative to the TX no-degree baseline of $31,626.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the St. Mary's University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
St. Mary's University's published cost of attendance is $47,999.
Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $18,352; middle-income families pay around $20,553; higher-income families pay approximately $24,649.
Azimuth ranks St. Mary's University #778 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 45.4 percentile for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. St.
Mary's University meets demonstrated financial need for admitted students through need-based aid, with no merit component. Families apply using the FAFSA and CSS Profile.
The aid structure combines institutional grants, federal and state aid, and work-study opportunities to close the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,563, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $16,723; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $58,545, median federal debt of $25,563 projects to a monthly payment of about $289 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of St. Mary's University earn median 4-year earnings of $58,545, placing St.
Mary's University in the 38.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $11,909 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing St.
Mary's University in the 88.6 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks St.
Mary's University #658 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 55.6 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects St.
Mary's concentration in business and professional fields. Biology, General is the largest program with 44 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $46,873, performing at 0.8x the national benchmark for the field.
The Finance program graduates 41 students with median 4-year earnings of $82,753, also outperforming its benchmark at 1.0x. Psychology, General and Political Science round out the institution's core program portfolio, with 33 and 30 graduates respectively earning $41,580 and $46,620 four years after enrollment.
This program-level strength in business and related professional fields drives the institution's solid long-term financial outcomes for graduates entering the San Antonio regional labor market and beyond.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico-Barranquitas Similar quality tier (#23730 ranked) | PR | 86% | $23,204 | #23730 | Compare |
Bethune-Cookman University Similar quality tier (#23724 ranked) | FL | 88% | $38,518 | #23724 | Compare |
Marian University Similar quality tier (#23741 ranked) | WI | 75% | $53,501 | #23741 | Compare |
Albertus Magnus College Similar quality tier (#23742 ranked) | CT | 59% | $60,144 | #23742 | Compare |
University Of Mary Similar quality tier (#23717 ranked) | ND | 75% | $60,909 | #23717 | Compare |
Finance and Financial Management Services
41 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
11 graduates
Computer Engineering
20 graduates
Marketing
24 graduates
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
28 graduates
St. Mary's University's program mix is anchored in Business and professional fields, reflecting the institution's identity as a private Catholic university in San Antonio.
Biology, General is the largest program with 44 graduates, followed by Finance, Psychology, General, Political Science, and Kinesiology. Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 453 students annually, several deliver strong four-year earnings outcomes aligned with regional labor-market demand.
The highest-aggregate-return program is Finance, which combines substantial enrollment with solid earnings. Among the most popular fields, Biology, General graduates earn $46,873 four years after enrollment, while Finance graduates earn $82,753 and Psychology, General graduates earn $41,580.
The institution's highest-earning programs include Finance with graduates earning $82,753, Computer Engineering with graduates earning $78,406, and Digital Marketing with graduates earning $66,151. This pattern reflects St.
Mary's University's concentration in Business (representing 21% of graduates), Social Sciences (representing 11%), and Engineering (representing 7%). St.
Mary's University's program portfolio emphasizes applied professional preparation and direct workforce entry. The concentration in business and related professional fields aligns with San Antonio's diversified regional economy, where employers in finance, healthcare, education, and professional services recruit actively from the institution.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these dominant program families align with national labor-market trends and regional hiring patterns.
