Admit rate has ranged 75%–84% 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.
St. Mary's College of Maryland is a public honors college that punches above its weight, offering the intimate, high-touch liberal arts experience of a private college at a public price. With a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, a 96% career outcomes rate, and a waterfront campus steeped in colonial history, it’s a hidden gem for students who want rigorous academics without the cutthroat competition of elite liberal arts schools.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
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
1,603
In-state tuition
$15,298
Out-of-state tuition
$31,374
After-Aid Cost
$20,714
Public/Private
Public honors college
Acceptance Rate
68.6%
4-Year Grad Rate
60%
Median Early Salary
$36,427
Career Outcomes Rate
96%
Student-Faculty Ratio
10:1
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$60,110
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
3.3×
Median debt at graduation
$21,000
Graduation rate
70%
First-year retention
86%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
80%
Pell (lower-income) share
40%
First-generation share
23%
Endowment / student
$28,090
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Computer and Information Sciences, General$59,124
Economics$41,565
Public Policy Analysis$39,648
English Language and Literature, General$33,281
Sociology$31,839
Political Science and Government$31,314
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
7
Per 1,000 students
4.37
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
99
Summer high
84°F
Winter low
36°F
Annual rain
45.6"
Annual snow
7.1"
Natural-hazard risk
Very 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
101
Scholarly works
1,954
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 St. Mary's College of Maryland?
St. Mary's College of Maryland's acceptance rate is approximately 69% (St. Mary's City, MD), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for St. Mary's College of Maryland?
Admitted students at St. Mary's College of Maryland typically score 1143–1340 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does St. Mary's College of Maryland cost?
At St. Mary's College of Maryland, the average net price (after aid) is about $18,441 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend St. Mary's College of Maryland?
St. Mary's College of Maryland enrolls approximately 1,603 undergraduate students.
Where is St. Mary's College of Maryland located?
St. Mary's College of Maryland is located in St. Mary's City, MD.
Admissions
St. Mary's College of Maryland is somewhat selective, with a 68.6% acceptance rate (significantly higher than the national average of 57%). Admitted students typically have SAT scores between 1163–1320 or ACT scores of 26–31, with 37% boasting GPAs of 3.75+. The regular application deadline is January 15, and deferred admission is an option for those needing extra time. The admissions office emphasizes a Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone., though strong academic performance is a clear differentiator.
As Maryland’s , SMCM offers with particularly strong programs in . The faculty is a standout—, and . The ensures close mentorship, and the reflects the college’s commitment to student success. The curriculum encourages exploration, with students praising the 'opportunity to try new things' in a supportive environment.
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.
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
$31,038
Psychology, General$29,322
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.
public honors college
29 majors
English (6% of majors), Computer Science (5%), and History (4%)
Life at SMCM revolves around its tight-knit, supportive community on a picturesque waterfront campus (established in 1840). Students describe the atmosphere as 'nice and supportive,' with Centers for Culture and Social Action fostering inclusivity. The small size means fewer majors than larger schools, but also stronger faculty connections and a collaborative vibe. The college markets itself as offering 'an education on par with the best private liberal arts colleges'—just with more kayaking opportunities.
SMCM delivers strong ROI: 96% of graduates secure careers or further education within six months, with 28% enrolling in grad programs and 67% employed full-time. The median early-career salary is $36,427, rising to $52,286 by the six-year mark. The four-year graduation rate is 60%, though the college aims to boost six-year rates to 80% (currently ~73%). Notably, outcomes are consistent across demographics—a rarity for many institutions.
As a public college, SMCM is a relative bargain—$20,714 after aid (vs. sticker prices at comparable private schools). 50.4% of students receive financial aid, though the college notes its institutional aid is 'extremely limited.' Prospective students should use the Net Price Calculator for personalized estimates. The college warns aid packages may adjust if tuition changes, so families should budget flexibly.
SMCM is Maryland’s answer to Swarthmore or Williams—but with a Chesapeake Bay view. It combines the academic intensity of a top-tier liberal arts college (evidenced by its honors designation and Fulbright-winning faculty) with the accessibility of a public institution. The 96% career outcomes rate proves its graduates thrive, and the 10:1 ratio means no one gets lost in lecture halls. For students who want rigor without cutthroat competition, SMCM is a compelling alternative to pricier private peers.
St. Mary's College of Maryland logo · sourceOur Location – About St. Mary's | SMCM · sourceOur Location – About St. Mary's | SMCM · sourceSt. Mary's College of Maryland Campus Tour · source
