Marymount University
Arlington, Virginia · Private Nonprofit · 93.2% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 63/100 · Fair Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
Marymount University scores 63 (Fair Value) on the CampusROI scale. The 7.9-year payback period and $45,000 average 6-year earnings are adequate, but the 53.5% completion rate is a significant drag - nearly half of students who enroll do not finish. Net price is $29,137. Registered Nursing is the strongest program by a wide margin: 104 graduates, $80,090 year-one, $94,503 year-four, ROI grade B. Computer and Information Sciences (65 graduates, $68,364 year-one, $82,795 year-four, ROI grade B) is the second-best performer. Business Administration earns a C+ grade with 54 graduates and $80,196 four-year earnings. Weaker programs include Psychology (D, 31 graduates), Design and Applied Arts (D, 44 graduates), and Health Services (F, 40 graduates). Median 10-year earnings of $67,516 suggest the degree has long-run value for completers, but the completion rate risk is real and should factor into enrollment decisions.
Marymount University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $40,920/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $40,920/yr |
| Average net price | $29,137/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $116,548 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $67,516 |
| Average earnings (6yr post-entry) | $45,000 |
| Median debt at graduation | $25,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $265 |
| Estimated payback period | 7.9 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 53.5% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,810 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $40,920/year, which covers tuition and fees only. After grants, scholarships, and aid, the average student here pays a net price of $29,137/year, or roughly $116,548 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $27,413/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $30,618/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $25,000, which works out to about $265 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($45,000) and comes to 0.56, under 1.0, meaning median debt is less than a full year of those earnings.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $27,413 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $27,111 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $27,718 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $31,962 |
| $110,001+ | $30,618 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning $0-30,000 pay $27,413 net price per year at Marymount. This is a moderately high number for a lower-income family - nearly $110,000 over four years for students at the bottom income tier.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families pay $27,718 (48001-75000) or $31,962 (75001-110000) per year. The upper-middle bracket is paying more than the lowest bracket, which is a typical but still notable step in the aid formula. At $27,000-$32,000 per year, total 4-year costs range from roughly $108,000 to $128,000. For students entering nursing or CS, the payback period from those program earnings is manageable. For students in lower-earning programs, the math is more difficult.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $30,618 per year at Marymount - slightly less than the upper-middle bracket, an unusual inversion. At $30,618 annually, the total 4-year cost approaches $123,000. Against a 7.9-year payback period and $45,000 average earnings, the full-pay case is barely defensible in aggregate. For nursing and CS graduates, payback is faster; for students in design, psychology, or general health sciences, the financial case weakens significantly.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Marymount University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $94,503 | B |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $82,795 | B |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $80,196 | C+ |
| Design and Applied Arts | $55,646 | D |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $59,645 | F |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $73,058 | D |
| Psychology | $55,869 | D |
| Biology | $66,460 | D |
| International Relations | $64,917 | - |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations | $56,160 | D |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Nursing is the institutional anchor: 104 graduates, $80,090 year-one, $94,503 year-four, ROI grade B with debt-to-earnings 0.364 and median debt $29,166. Year-one nursing earnings in the DC metro area are above the national median for new graduates, reflecting the high cost of living and demand in Northern Virginia's healthcare corridor. Students entering nursing at Marymount have a clear, high-demand career path with solid Scorecard-documented outcomes.
Computer and Information Sciences
65 graduates, $68,364 year-one, $82,795 year-four, ROI grade B with debt-to-earnings 0.395 and median debt $27,000. CS at Marymount benefits from Arlington's proximity to defense contractors, federal agencies, and the growing Northern Virginia tech hub. Year-one earnings of $68k are strong for a non-flagship private school and reflect real labor market demand. The B grade is earned; this is a financially sound program choice for students interested in tech careers in the DC area.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
54 graduates, $48,217 year-one, $80,196 year-four, ROI grade C+ with debt-to-earnings 0.539 and median debt $26,000. The year-one to four-year jump from $48k to $80k is strong, suggesting business graduates are advancing into management and professional roles in the DC metro labor market. The C+ grade reflects adequate but not strong near-term earnings relative to debt. For students targeting federal contracting or government-adjacent business roles, this program's location is a structural advantage.
Criminal Justice and Corrections
31 graduates, $35,642 year-one, $73,058 year-four, ROI grade D with debt-to-earnings 0.701. The year-four figure of $73k is surprising for a D-grade program and likely reflects placement into federal law enforcement, government agencies, or security roles in the DC metro area - careers with strong upward mobility after initial credentialing. The D grade is driven by low near-term earnings, but the four-year trajectory suggests this program may underperform on short-term metrics while delivering solid long-run outcomes.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 70.3% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 77.2% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 72.2% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 78.5% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How Marymount University’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2024).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 93.2% |
| Enrollment | 1,810 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 23.1% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $9,455 |
At 93.2%, Marymount's admission rate shows the institution is not selective in the traditional sense. The primary enrollment screen is completion rather than admission: 53.5% of students who enroll graduate. Applicants who need academic support structures, clear degree pathways, or strong retention programming should investigate those resources before committing. The near-open-admission model means the degree signal to employers rests on program quality and location rather than selectivity.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marymount University (this school) | 63 | $29,137 | $67,516 |
| Benedictine University | 65 | $22,313 | $63,446 |
| Wilkes University | 65 | $27,743 | $63,454 |
| AdventHealth University | 63 | $30,135 | $72,282 |
| Averett University | 37 | $22,925 | $51,516 |
| Bluefield University | 32 | $25,573 | $48,896 |
Who Thrives Here
Marymount admits 93.2% of applicants, making it effectively accessible to most students who apply. No test score ranges are reported in Scorecard data. Enrollment is 1,810 - a small private university with Catholic Mercy heritage and a professional programs focus. Pell grant rate of 23.1% reflects a modest lower-income population. The institution's Arlington, Virginia location is a genuine asset for students targeting health professions, government contracting, tech, and federal employment. Students considering nursing, computer science, or business will find programs with solid outcomes; students in arts, general health sciences, or psychology face weaker ROI data.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
Marymount University is a fair-value bet, but how well it pays off depends a lot on you. At $29,137 a year after aid ($116,548 over four years), with the typical graduate earning $67,516 a decade out, the cost takes about 7.9 years to earn back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
Median debt of $25,000 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $45,000 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56, under the 1.0 point at which debt would equal a full year of those earnings. Your major matters a lot here: graduates in higher-earning fields will see the better end of this.
Marymount University: Common Questions
Is Marymount University worth it?
In our view, it's a fair-value bet - whether Marymount University is worth it depends a lot on your major and aid package. It scores 63/100 on our ROI scale. At $29,137 a year after aid ($116,548 over four years) against $67,516 in typical earnings a decade out, the cost takes about 7.9 years to earn back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
How much does Marymount University cost after financial aid?
The average net price - the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, supplies and average living costs) minus grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time students receiving federal aid - is about $29,137 a year, or roughly $116,548 over four years. Because it counts living costs, it can run above tuition alone. That is the number to plan around. Actual cost varies by family income, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
What do Marymount University graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $67,516 ten years after enrolling, roughly $25,716 a year more than the median high-school graduate ($41,800, per NCES, 2022). That earnings gap is what has to cover the cost of the degree.
How long does it take to pay off Marymount University?
We estimate the payback period - the time it takes for the earnings bump over a high-school graduate to cover what you spent - at about 7.9 years for Marymount University. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do Marymount University graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $25,000, against average earnings of $45,000 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56. In our view that is reasonable, though your major matters: higher-earning fields will see the better end of it.
What is the graduation rate at Marymount University?
The six-year graduation rate is 53.5%. The national average for four-year schools is 64% (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our ROI score, since a degree you don't finish rarely pays back.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.