Admit rate has ranged 72%–82% 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.
Mount St. Mary's University, a small Catholic liberal arts school in rural Emmitsburg, Maryland, offers a tight-knit community with a surprisingly robust return on investment. Known for its business programs and strong campus ministry, the Mount balances affordability with a 73% acceptance rate, making it accessible yet distinctive in its focus on integrated academics and faith-based student life.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
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
1,768
In-state tuition
$48,630
Out-of-state tuition
$48,630
Campus Size
1,400 acres
Notable Fact
Graduates net $1.056M over 40 years (ranked #405 nationally)
Acceptance Rate
73-74%
On-Campus Housing
80% of undergrads
Median Alumni Salary
$62,833
Student-Faculty Ratio
13:1
6-Year Graduation Rate
53-61%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$64,072
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.8×
Median debt at graduation
$25,391
Graduation rate
65%
First-year retention
71%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
75%
Pell (lower-income) share
41%
First-generation share
23%
Endowment / student
$36,362
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Accounting and Related Services$56,157
Business/Commerce, General$45,249
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$42,682
Communication and Media Studies$40,896
Research and Experimental Psychology$37,748
Criminology
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
5
Per 1,000 students
2.83
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
90
Summer high
84°F
Winter low
29°F
Annual rain
47.5"
Annual snow
20"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Low
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
46
Scholarly works
309
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 Mount St. Mary's University?
Mount St. Mary's University's acceptance rate is approximately 74% (Emmitsburg, MD), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Mount St. Mary's University?
Admitted students at Mount St. Mary's University typically score 1046–1280 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Mount St. Mary's University cost?
At Mount St. Mary's University, the average net price (after aid) is about $22,655 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Mount St. Mary's University?
Mount St. Mary's University enrolls approximately 1,768 undergraduate students.
Where is Mount St. Mary's University located?
Mount St. Mary's University is located in Emmitsburg, MD.
Admissions
Mount St. Mary's admissions are moderately selective, with a 73-74% acceptance rate (sources vary slightly). The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1063-1270 on the SAT or 19-27 on the ACT, with 39% of enrollees holding GPAs of 3.75 or higher. Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight. since at least 2022, the university accepts SAT, ACT, or CLT scores but doesn't require them. Regular decision applications are due March 1, though early action is available. Notably, the admissions office emphasizes Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone. over strict cutoffs—a reflection of its mission-driven approach.
The Mount delivers a alongside , with particularly strong programs in business, social sciences, and computer science. Small classes dominate: , supported by a . The curriculum integrates professional preparation with humanities foundations—think accounting majors taking theology requirements. Graduate programs cater to working adults, offering degrees in education, business, and public service. While not a research powerhouse, the Mount focuses on and interdisciplinary connections across its single-campus academic community.
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.
$37,363
Sociology$35,952
International Relations and National Security Studies$35,060
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.
Life at the Mount revolves around its rural 1,400-acre campus, where 80% of undergrads live on-site. The Center for Campus Ministry anchors social life with 20+ faith-based clubs, though secular options abound—from DIII athletics (the Mountaineers) to Greek life (30% participation). Niche gives campus life a B-, praising accessibility to bars and restaurants despite the isolated location. Traditions like the "Grotto" pilgrimage and "Light the Night" ceremony reinforce Catholic identity, while proximity to DC (90 minutes away) provides internship opportunities. It’s a close-knit but not cloistered environment where "everyone knows your name" (per YouTube student vlogs).
The Mount punches above its weight in long-term earnings: a 2020 study found graduates net $1.056M in economic gains over 40 years—ranking 405th nationally among 4,529 institutions. Early-career salaries average $42,000, rising to $62,833 median alumni earnings. The 6-year graduation rate hovers around 53-61%, slightly below national averages for private colleges, but those who persist benefit from strong alumni networks in Mid-Atlantic business and education sectors. Notably, the university emphasizes value-added metrics, pointing to higher-than-predicted earnings given its mix of majors.
Tuition and fees run $37,165 annually, but the university boasts an average aid package matching this amount—effectively halving costs for many. The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculator suggests significant merit aid for students with GPAs above 3.5, though Need-based aidFinancial aid awarded based on your family's ability to pay, as measured by forms like the FAFSA, rather than on achievements. requires FAFSA submission. Compared to peer Catholic colleges, the Mount positions itself as a "best value" option, with 90% of students receiving some form of financial assistance. Payment plans and work-study programs (like campus ministry jobs) help bridge gaps, though the rural location limits off-campus employment options.
Mount St. Mary’s carves a niche as a small, affordable Catholic university that delivers outsized ROI—especially for business and education majors. Its rural campus fosters intense community (for better or worse), while the 13:1 faculty ratio ensures mentorship. Unlike larger Jesuit schools, the Mount leans into its diocesan identity with mandatory theology courses and visible campus ministry. The kicker? It combines accessibility (73% acceptance) with strong earnings potential, making it a smart bet for students seeking personal attention without elite pretensions.
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