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Saint Mary's College

Notre Dame, IN · Private Nonprofit

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81.1%
Acceptance (Fall 2023)
1200
SAT
$59,190
Sticker Price
$16,625
Net Price*
$56,655
Earnings 10 yrs after enrolling
3.1 yrs
Payback
2,377
Applicants

*Net price for families earning $48k–$75k. See all income brackets →

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Should I apply to Saint Mary's College?

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What is Saint Mary's College's acceptance rate?

Down 0.8 percentage points since 2018

With a 81.1% acceptance rate, Saint Mary's College is considered accessible. The school has become increasingly competitive over the past five years. Applicants should focus on demonstrating strong academics, meaningful extracurriculars, and authentic personal essays to stand out in the applicant pool.

How many students apply to Saint Mary's College?

Saint Mary's College received 2,377 applications in 2023, up 28% since 2018. High application volume means admissions officers spend limited time per application—typically 8-15 minutes. Make every word count in your essays and ensure your application materials are error-free.

Applications
Admitted

How many admitted students enroll?

The yield rate of 22% is typical for a school of this caliber. Yield rate measures how many admitted students actually enroll—a key indicator of how desirable students find the school. Demonstrating genuine interest through campus visits, attending info sessions, and writing specific "Why Us" essays can improve your chances.

What are the most popular majors at Saint Mary's College?

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing leads as the most popular major at Saint Mary's College. Your intended major can affect admission chances—some programs are more competitive than others. Research department-specific requirements, faculty research, and career outcomes when choosing your major. Consider how your academic interests align with the school's strengths.

How have majors changed over time?

Degrees awarded by major, 2015–2024

How has tuition changed at Saint Mary's College?

Tuition has increased by 37% since 2015. Total cost of attendance (including fees and room & board) has grown 36% from $43,420 to $59,190.

Tuition Total Cost

How much do Saint Mary's College graduates earn by major?

Graduates in Accounting and Related Services earn among the highest salaries, with median earnings of N/A within two years of graduation. Earnings vary significantly by major—STEM and business fields typically offer higher starting salaries, while humanities and arts may have different career trajectories. Consider both passion and practical outcomes when choosing your field of study.

Median two years after graduating, for graduates of each program — not the same measure as the headline earnings figure above, which covers everyone who enrolled, ten years after starting. Source: College Scorecard field-of-study file, June 2026.

Registered Nursing, Nursing Ad... $59,599 47 grads
$5,938 $113,585
Political Science and Governme... $45,715
$5,938 $113,585
Business Administration, Manag... $53,537 43 grads
$5,938 $113,585
Biology, General $24,421 23 grads · small sample
$5,938 $113,585
Communication Disorders Scienc... $32,382
$5,938 $113,585
Communication and Media Studie... $41,342 27 grads · small sample
$5,938 $113,585
Psychology, General $26,896 28 grads · small sample
$5,938 $113,585
Teacher Education and Professi... $40,737 28 grads · small sample
$5,938 $113,585
This school National avg

What do Saint Mary's College graduates actually earn?

The median tells one story, but outcomes vary widely. Here's the full range of earnings 10 years after enrollment for graduates of Saint Mary's College.

25th: $38,945 Median: $56,655 75th: $83,787
10th: $13,400 90th: $85,200

Earnings range for graduates 10 years after enrollment. The green bar shows the middle 50% (25th–75th percentile). Source: College Scorecard, June 2026 release.

How do Saint Mary's College earnings grow over time?

Median earnings from 1 year after completion through 11 years after enrollment. Early-career earnings show what graduates earn soon after graduating, while later years reflect career growth and advancement.

Do Saint Mary's College earnings vary by family income?

Median earnings of graduates grouped by their family income when they enrolled. Research shows family income can influence post-graduation outcomes through networking, unpaid internship access, and career choice flexibility.

Saint Mary's College Admissions Statistics (2015–2023)

Each row shows the admissions cycle for that academic year. Applicants is the total number of students who applied for freshman admission. Admitted shows how many received acceptance letters. Rate is the acceptance rate (admitted ÷ applicants) — lower percentages indicate more selective schools. Yield measures the percentage of admitted students who actually enrolled — a high yield (above 50%) suggests the school is a top choice for admitted students, while lower yields indicate students often choose other options. SAT shows the 25th-75th percentile range, meaning the middle 50% of enrolled students scored within this range. Data is sourced from IPEDS, the federal database where all US colleges report annually.

Year Applicants Admitted Rate Yield
2023 2,377 1,928 81.1% 21.7%
2022 2,260 1,896 83.9% 20.9%
2021 2,351 1,953 83.1% 19.2%
2020 2,412 1,966 81.5% 19.9%
2019 2,033 1,651 81.2% 23.1%
2018 1,862 1,525 81.9% 26.4%
2017 1,830 1,432 78.3% 25.3%
2016 1,771 1,446 81.7% 29.9%
2015 1,722 1,384 80.4% 30.3%

Is Saint Mary's College worth it?

Calculate your personal ROI

4-Year Sticker Price --
4-Year Net Cost --
Earnings & ROI Range (10yr)
Conservative (25th pct) -- --
Expected (median) -- --
Optimistic (75th pct) -- --
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Estimates based on College Scorecard averages. Use official calculator →

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What do Saint Mary's College graduates earn?

Median Earnings (10 years)
$56,655
Earnings Range (10th - 90th percentile)
$13,400 $56,655 median $85,200

Earnings vary widely: the bottom 10% earn $13,400 while the top 10% earn $85,200. Your outcome depends heavily on major, career path, and individual circumstances.

Median Earnings (6 years)
$49,118
Median Debt
$27,000
6-Year Graduation Rate
80.7%

How much does Saint Mary's College cost?

The total cost of attendance at Saint Mary's College is approximately $59,190 per year. Remember: sticker price rarely equals actual cost. Most students receive financial aid, and net price varies significantly by family income. Use the school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate before ruling out any option based on cost alone.

Tuition
$44,760
Fees
$960
Room & Board
$13,470
Total Cost of Attendance
$59,190

What You'll Actually Pay

Net price is what aided families paid after grants and scholarships, averaged within each income band. Your own cost depends on income, assets and the school's aid policies, so treat these as a floor rather than a quote. Many selective private schools are more affordable than public universities for middle and lower-income families because of generous institutional aid.

$0-30k income $12,063
$30-48k income $13,997
$48-75k income $16,625
$75-110k income $22,919
$110k+ income $34,127
No aid $59,190

These averages cover only students who received federal financial aid — a Pell Grant, a federal loan or work-study. Families who pay their own way are not included, so the higher brackets understate what a full-paying family is billed. The "no aid" row is the published cost of attendance.

Which majors pay the most?

  • Accounting and Related Services N/A
  • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing $59,599
  • Political Science and Government $45,715
  • Business Administration, Management and Operations $53,537
  • Biology, General $24,421

Who attends Saint Mary's College?

Saint Mary's College enrolls 1,518 students, with 1% from outside the United States. Women make up 99% of the student body. Campus diversity enriches the educational experience through varied perspectives and backgrounds. Consider how you'll contribute to and benefit from the campus community when crafting your application.

Total Enrollment 1,518
Retention Rate 84%
International 1%
Women 99%
Race/Ethnicity
White 76%
Hispanic 13%
Black 2%
Asian 1%

How much financial aid is available?

98% of students receive some form of financial aid at Saint Mary's College. About 24% receive Pell Grants, indicating support for low-income students. Apply for aid regardless of your family's income level—merit scholarships and institutional grants are available to students at various income levels. Never assume you won't qualify.

Receive Grants 98%
Avg: $35,913 free money/year
Pell Grant Recipients 24%
Federal aid for <$60k income families
Have Federal Loans 59%
Avg: $6,265
School's Own Grants 100%
Avg: $33,033 from school funds

How much do professors earn?

Faculty salaries at Saint Mary's College are above the national average, reflecting the school's investment in attracting and retaining talented professors. Higher faculty compensation often correlates with stronger research programs, better student mentorship, and more resources for academic departments. Look for opportunities to engage with faculty through research, office hours, and smaller seminars.

This school National avg

Page updated 2026. Admissions and cost figures are the latest IPEDS release (2023); earnings are College Scorecard median 10-year post-enrollment, June 2026 release. Sources: IPEDS, College Scorecard.