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University of Mary

Bismarck, ND·Private nonprofit·2,280 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who prefer a mid-size campus. no major red flags in the data. a private nonprofit school with 2,280 students.

78%
Accept
2,280
Students
$18,568
Net Price
68%
Grad Rate
$53,000
Earnings
10 yr
$18,750
Debt

About This School

University of Mary is a private nonprofit institution located in Bismarck, North Dakota with approximately 2,280 undergraduate students enrolled. University of Mary has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 78%. The average net price after financial aid is $18,568 per year. The graduation rate is 68%, and the typical graduate earns $53,000 within 10 years of enrollment.

The University of Mary is a private, Benedictine university near Bismarck, North Dakota. It was established in 1959 as Mary College.

This Catholic Benedictine school in Bismarck offers a genuinely affordable path — median debt of just $18,750 at graduation is well below the national average, and the $18,568 average net price makes it accessible for many families. The 68% graduation rate is a bit below what you'd hope to see, so it's worth asking admissions what support systems are in place for students who struggle to finish. Worth considering if you're drawn to a values-grounded, small-campus environment and want to avoid heavy debt, especially for programs like nursing or health sciences where the school has strong regional standing.

Founded
1856
Setting
Fringe rural
Mascot
Testudo
Conference
Atlantic Coast Conference

Popular Programs

Health Professions24%
Business & Marketing19%
Biological Sciences9%
Education8%
Psychology6%
Engineering4%
Communications3%
English2%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Sergey BrinLarry DavidJim HensonHerbert A. HauptmanDianne WiestValdis DombrovskisJudith ResnikValerie SolanasCarly FiorinaMoses MaloneKaren AllenMýa

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average CompositeN/A

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$21,468
Out-of-State Tuition
$21,468
Avg Net Price
$18,568
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants18%
Median debt at graduation$18,750

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
68%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
83%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$53,000
after enrollment
Median Debt
$18,750
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$18,750
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$46,700
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$53,000
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.8x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White80%
Black2%
Asian1%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2,280 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

University of Mary

7500 University Dr

Bismarck, ND 58504

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in North Dakota

Browse all North Dakota schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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