Mount St. Mary's University
Emmitsburg, Maryland · Private Nonprofit · 73.8% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 68/100 · Fair Value
Mount St. Mary's University earns a Fair Value tier with an ROI score of 68, anchored by a reasonable 7.9-year payback period and a 65.4% completion rate. The Catholic liberal arts university in Emmitsburg charges $48,630 in sticker tuition, but generous institutional aid brings the average net price down to $22,655 per year (about $90,620 over four years). Median earnings 10 years after entry reach $64,072, with a 0.605 debt-to-earnings ratio that flags moderate financial strain for graduates carrying the typical $25,391 in federal debt. The earnings premium subscore (71) and repayment rate (80.7%) are the most flattering numbers, while the debt-to-earnings subscore (50) is the clear drag on the overall grade. The score reflects a school doing reasonably well at translating a private-college sticker price into recoverable career outcomes, but families paying anywhere near the published rate without aid will find the math much tighter than the headline numbers suggest.
Mount St. Mary's University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $48,630/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $48,630/yr |
| Average net price | $22,655/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $90,620 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $64,072 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $42,000 |
| Median debt at graduation | $25,391 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $269 |
| Estimated payback period | 7.9 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 65.4% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,768 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Mount St. Mary's University is $48,630/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $22,655/year, or roughly $90,620 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $11,603/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $31,330/year.
The median graduate leaves with $25,391 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $269 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $64,072 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.60 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
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 | $11,603 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $20,067 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,942 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $27,170 |
| $110,001+ | $31,330 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 see a net price of $11,603 per year, the most favorable bracket on campus. Over four years that's roughly $46,400 in out-of-pocket cost, comparable to many in-state public options once aid is factored. With median earnings of $64,072 at the 10-year mark, the math works for low-income students who complete on time, though the 65.4% institutional completion rate means roughly one in three takes longer or never finishes.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48,001-$75,000 income bracket pays $21,942, while the $75,001-$110,000 bracket pays $27,170. That puts middle-income families at $87,800 to $108,700 over four years, near or above the $90,620 published total cost. With a 0.605 debt-to-earnings ratio at graduation, middle-income families taking on full debt loads should expect tight cash flow during the standard 10-year repayment window.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Households above $110,000 face a $31,330 net price, or roughly $125,300 across four years, the worst price-to-outcome ratio on campus. Median 10-year earnings of $64,072 still recoup the cost, but high-income families paying near sticker should compare carefully against in-state flagships before committing to Mount's private price tag.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Mount St. Mary's University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | $74,839 | C+ |
| Political Science and Government | $60,428 | C |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $87,360 | B |
| Teacher Education | $59,630 | B |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $40,480 | C |
| Accounting | $81,796 | B+ |
| Biology | $76,062 | B+ |
| International Relations | $56,507 | D |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $54,677 | - |
| Communication and Media Studies | $57,669 | C |
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.
Business Administration and Management
Business Administration is the largest program by enrollment with 76 graduates and posts a C+ ROI grade. First-year median earnings of $46,859 climb to $74,839 by year four, a strong trajectory that reflects the value of business credentials in the Mid-Atlantic corporate market. With $21,500 in median debt and a 0.459 debt-to-earnings ratio, graduates carry a manageable but not light burden. The C+ grade reflects solid earnings growth held back by middling first-year pay relative to debt.
Computer and Information Sciences
Computer Science is one of Mount's standout ROI programs, earning a B grade with 34 graduates. First-year earnings of $57,612 grow to $87,360 by year four, the highest four-year figure on campus. Median debt of $21,240 and a 0.369 debt-to-earnings ratio mean students recoup cost quickly. For tech-oriented students choosing between Mount and a public flagship, this program is one of the stronger arguments for the private price.
Accounting
Accounting earns a B+ ROI grade with 28 graduates and the lowest debt-to-earnings ratio on campus at 0.301. First-year earnings of $64,849 are the highest of any program at the school, and four-year earnings hit $81,796. With just $19,500 in median debt, accounting students at Mount face the cleanest financial path post-graduation, helped by the credential's high regional demand and CPA-track salary growth.
Political Science and Government
Political Science is another high-enrollment program at 58 graduates, but earns only a C grade. First-year earnings of $43,230 rise to $60,428 by year four, modest growth that doesn't fully offset $27,000 in median debt and a 0.625 debt-to-earnings ratio. Pre-law and policy-track students should weigh this carefully, the ROI improves substantially for graduates who continue to law or graduate school, but the bachelor's-only earnings profile is mediocre.
Teacher Education
Teacher Education earns a B grade with 32 graduates. Four-year median earnings of $59,630 are solid for the field, especially in Maryland's relatively well-compensated public schools, and the 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio is healthy for a teaching career. Median debt of $23,250 is manageable on a teacher salary, particularly with PSLF eligibility for graduates entering public school systems.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 79.4% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 80.7% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 82.4% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 86.5% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 73.8% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 503-620 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 543-660 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 19-27 |
| Enrollment | 1,768 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 31.1% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,399 |
Mount St. Mary's admits roughly 73.8% of applicants, putting it in the moderately selective range. SAT mid-50% bands run 503-620 math and 543-660 reading, with ACT composites between 19 and 27. The relatively wide ranges show the school takes a broad mix of academic profiles, and the 65.4% completion rate aligns with that openness, prepared applicants near the upper SAT bands tend to graduate at meaningfully higher rates than the cohort average.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Among peer institutions, Mount St. Mary's tracks closely with Catholic and small private nonprofits like Canisius University, Elizabethtown College, and Emmanuel College, all small to mid-size faith-affiliated schools with similar net-price profiles. Washington Adventist University and Capitol Technology University are also flagged peers, though Capitol's STEM-heavy mix tends to produce stronger early earnings than Mount's broader liberal arts roster. Within this peer set, Mount's 7.9-year payback and $64,072 ten-year earnings put it roughly in the middle, better than several peers on completion but behind STEM-leaning peers on early-career earnings.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount St. Mary's University (this school) | 68 | $22,655 | $64,072 |
| Capitol Technology University | 79 | $22,102 | $85,035 |
| Canisius University | 67 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| Elizabethtown College | 66 | $26,598 | $62,399 |
| Emmanuel College | 64 | $26,706 | $68,245 |
| Washington Adventist University | 55 | $18,526 | $64,249 |
Who Thrives Here
With 1,768 enrolled students and a 31.1% Pell grant rate, Mount St. Mary's is a small, moderately Pell-eligible private campus with a Catholic mission orientation. The school fits students who want a residential liberal arts experience in rural Maryland, with strong outcomes in pre-professional tracks like Accounting, Biology, and Computer Science. The smaller student body and 73.8% admission rate suggest meaningful access for prepared mid-tier applicants, but families should weigh the $22,655 net price carefully against state-flagship alternatives, especially for majors outside the school's stronger ROI lanes.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
Mount St. Mary's University offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $22,655 per year leads to $90,620 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $64,072 a decade out. The payback period of 7.9 years is about average - not bad, but not a standout either.
Median debt of $25,391 against $64,072 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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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.