Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks University of Mary #819 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Mary in the 55.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks University of Mary #481 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. University of Mary's composite ranking reflects balanced performance across Azimuth's pillars of return, affordability, and access. The institution's earnings advantage stems from its business-focused program mix and regional labor market alignment.
Azimuth ranks University of Mary #819 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private university in Bismarck, ND, University of Mary enrolls roughly 2,416 undergraduates. Retention is 83.5% and the six-year graduation rate is 66.6%, placing the institution among the stronger performers nationally for converting enrollment into degree completion. Where University of Mary performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks University of Mary #481 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Mary in the 55.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's strength in Business and related fields drives consistent financial outcomes for graduates entering the regional labor market. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. University of Mary sits in the 27.4 percentile for access and the 64.2 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting the institution's positioning as a private nonprofit with tuition costs typical of that sector. Mobility outcomes place the institution in the 11.2 percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions. For families evaluating University of Mary, the return-on-investment strength offers meaningful long-term financial payoff relative to the upfront cost of attendance.
University of Mary's published cost of attendance is $33,672. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $11,593, mid-low-income families pay around $12,282, middle-income families pay about $13,087, mid-high-income families pay approximately $16,001, and higher-income families pay around $20,063. Azimuth ranks University of Mary #511 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The affordability rank reflects both the headline sticker price and the debt load graduates carry; net price and sticker price can differ substantially, and understanding that gap matters when comparing institutions. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $24,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $13,500; 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 $65,398, median federal debt of $24,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $271 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
University of Mary is a strong fit for students seeking a private university experience in ND with a focus on Business fields and predictable financial outcomes. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $65,398, placing University of Mary in the 70.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 55.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The aid structure supports broad access — 20.9% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 17.9% are first-generation students. Published cost of attendance is $20,063 for higher-income families, with median federal debt of $24,000 at graduation. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 75.3% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors Business fields that account for 20% of degrees. Students whose interests align with these areas will find strong outcomes relative to ND's no-degree baseline of $35,041.
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 University Of Mary 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.
University of Mary's published cost of attendance is $33,672. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $11,593, mid-low-income families pay around $12,282, middle-income families pay about $13,087, mid-high-income families pay approximately $16,001, and higher-income families pay around $20,063.
Azimuth ranks University of Mary #511 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The affordability rank reflects both the headline sticker price and the debt load graduates carry; [net price and sticker price can differ substantially](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/), and understanding that gap matters when comparing institutions.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $24,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $13,500; 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 $65,398, median federal debt of $24,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $271 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 University of Mary earn median 4-year earnings of $65,398, placing the institution in the 70.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Mary in the 55.1 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks University of Mary #481 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects University of Mary's concentration in security and protective services fields.
Nursing is the largest program with 84 graduates with median 4-year earnings of $74,651, representing 0.8x the national benchmark for the field. The Business Administration program graduates 75 students with median 4-year earnings of $71,639, and the The Psychology, General program graduates 51 students with median 4-year earnings of $60,331.
Kinesiology and Teacher Education round out the top programs, each contributing to the institution's overall earnings profile. The dominance of Business — representing 20% of degrees — anchors University of Mary's career outcomes in fields with direct workforce demand and stable earning trajectories.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Western New England University Similar quality tier (#23715 ranked) | MA | 83% | $73,157 | #23715 | Compare |
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico-Bayamon Similar quality tier (#23714 ranked) | PR | 40% | $29,936 | #23714 | Compare |
Bethune-Cookman University Similar quality tier (#23724 ranked) | FL | 88% | $38,518 | #23724 | Compare |
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus Similar quality tier (#23713 ranked) | NJ | 91% | $57,273 | #23713 | Compare |
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico-Barranquitas Similar quality tier (#23730 ranked) | PR | 86% | $23,204 | #23730 | Compare |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
84 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
75 graduates
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
35 graduates
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
28 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
20 graduates
University of Mary's program mix is anchored in security and protective services, reflecting the institution's distinctive positioning as a specialized professional university. Nursing is the largest program with 84 graduates annually, followed by Business Administration, Psychology, General, Kinesiology, and Teacher Education.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 642 students annually, the institution's strength concentrates in applied professional fields aligned with law enforcement, criminal justice, and security careers. The earnings pattern reflects this specialization.
Nursing leads with graduates earning a median of $74,651 four years after enrollment, followed by Business Administration at $71,639, Kinesiology at $68,088, Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at $67,803, and Psychology, General at $60,331. Nursing combines substantial enrollment with solid median earnings of $74,651, making it a core economic contributor to the institution's overall outcomes.
The concentration in Business — representing 20% of graduates — distinguishes University of Mary from broader-portfolio private universities and signals a coherent institutional mission. These programs are high-mobility pathways where graduates enter the workforce directly into stable, credential-dependent careers in law enforcement, corrections, security management, and related fields.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these fields align with regional and national labor-market demand. University of Mary's specialized focus means outcomes depend heavily on students' fit with the security and protective services sector and their ability to secure positions in competitive regional labor markets.
