Admit rate has ranged 38%–65% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
College of Saint Mary in Omaha, Nebraska, is a private Catholic university that stakes its identity on a mission-driven, supportive environment for women. Its academic profile is dominated by health professions, which anchor both its curriculum and its strong career outcomes, while its campus culture is characterized by students as calm, respectful, and intentionally community-focused. This is a school where practical preparation and a sense of belonging are the cornerstones of the experience.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
445
In-state tuition
$24,510
Out-of-state tuition
$24,510
Top Major
Health Professions (44% of grads)
Graduation Rate
61%
Demonstrated Interest
Considered
Early Decision Offered
Yes
Median Earnings (10yr)
$54,338
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$54,338
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
3.3×
Median debt at graduation
$24,250
Graduation rate
61%
First-year retention
80%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
63%
Pell (lower-income) share
39%
First-gen share (among federal-aid recipients)
26%
Financial health
2.4 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$63,692
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$36,560
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
80
Summer high
85°F
Winter low
19°F
Annual rain
30.2"
Annual snow
22.8"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively High
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
31
Scholarly works
271
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at College of Saint Mary?
College of Saint Mary's acceptance rate is approximately 45% (Omaha, NE), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
How much does College of Saint Mary cost?
At College of Saint Mary, the average net price (after aid) is about $16,590 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend College of Saint Mary?
College of Saint Mary enrolls approximately 445 undergraduate students.
Where is College of Saint Mary located?
College of Saint Mary is located in Omaha, NE.
Admissions
Admissions at College of Saint Mary are selective, with an of 45%. The middle 50% range of SAT scores for admitted students who submitted them is between 970 and 1240, while the ACT range is 18 to 26. Academic achievement is a primary factor, with a significant portion of admitted students boasting strong high school GPAs. The university offers an Early Decision application option, which provides first priority for decision notification, financial aid packages, and housing assignments to accepted students. Demonstrated interest in the institution is a considered factor in the admissions process, as is special talent or ability in areas of interest to the school.
The academic focus at College of Saint Mary is intensely practical, with health professions and related programs being the dominant force. For the 2024 graduating class, a striking 44% of degrees were conferred in health professions. Parks, recreation, leisure, fitness, and kinesiology followed at 12%, with liberal arts and sciences making up another portion of popular majors. The institution promotes its academic outcomes, highlighting strong retention, graduation, and licensure pass rates. Student reviews often praise the accessible professors and the availability of internships, suggesting a hands-on, career-oriented approach within a supportive learning environment. While the range of majors may be more focused compared to larger universities, the depth of support in key fields is a noted strength.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Campus life at CSM is consistently described by students as a "supportive community" that is "generally calm and respectful." The university actively fosters an inclusive environment through offices and centers dedicated to student empowerment, multicultural services, and LGBTQ+ support, aiming to create a culture "where all feel valued." Student activities and housing options are designed to help students connect and feel at home. The overall vibe is one of a close-knit, friendly campus where staff are noted for being supportive, contributing to a feeling of being able to bring one's "whole self" to the college experience.
Career readiness is a clear strength for College of Saint Mary graduates. The university reports robust outcomes, with a 93% career outcomes rate for one recent graduating class, comprising graduates who were employed, in graduate school, or in a service program. Specific breakdowns show 64% of graduates working and 20% attending graduate or professional school shortly after commencement. Earnings data indicates solid financial returns, with median earnings of $54,338 ten years after entry. The four-year graduation rate is reported at 49%, with an overall graduation rate of 59%.
College of Saint Mary is proactive with financial aid, awarding over $1 million annually in aid. Merit-based scholarships are a significant component, with awards ranging from $12,000 to $17,000 per student per year, determined by prior academic achievement. The university emphasizes that completing the FAFSA is required to be considered for need-based financial aid, which can include grants, loans, and work-study opportunities. The —the average cost after aid and scholarships—is a critical figure for families. While specific policies like "meeting full need" or a "no-loan" policy are not detailed in the provided sources, the substantial merit awards and required FAFSA filing indicate a structured approach to making the institution accessible.
College of Saint Mary stands out for its singular combination of mission, focus, and community. It is not a sprawling liberal arts college trying to be everything to everyone; instead, it doubles down on what it does best: preparing women for high-demand, high-impact careers, particularly in the health sciences, within a deliberately supportive and inclusive Catholic environment. The numbers tell a compelling story—a 93% career outcomes rate anchored by a 44% share of degrees in health professions—but the student experience is what cements its identity. Descriptions of a "calm and respectful" campus culture, "friendly staff," and accessible professors point to an institution where students are known and supported, not just processed. This creates a distinct value proposition: a pragmatic, career-focused education delivered within a community that actively tries to make every student feel valued, a combination that resonates powerfully with its target audience.
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