Admit rate has ranged 72%–81% 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.
The University of Mary, a Catholic institution in Bismarck, North Dakota, blends faith, service, and practical career preparation with a notably welcoming campus culture. Known for its strong health professions programs and a Rome study-abroad campus, it offers a tight-knit community where 84% of first-year students return—a testament to its supportive environment and accessible admissions (78% acceptance rate).
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
Demonstrated competencies
TOEFL (non-native English)
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
2,416
In-state tuition
$22,356
Out-of-state tuition
$22,356
Rome Campus
Yes
Acceptance Rate
78.2%
First-Year Retention
84%
Median Graduate Debt
$20,500
Student Organizations
40+
Students Receiving Aid
100%
Six-Year Graduation Rate
71%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$60,909
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
3.4×
Median debt at graduation
$24,000
Graduation rate
67%
First-year retention
84%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
76%
Pell (lower-income) share
35%
First-generation share
18%
Endowment / student
$31,110
Financial health
2.8 / 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$56,641
Business Administration, Management and Operations$54,359
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$38,289
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$33,281
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.
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
2
Per 1,000 students
0.83
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
92
Summer high
82°F
Winter low
9°F
Annual rain
19.8"
Annual snow
32.7"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
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
130
Scholarly works
1,877
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.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
2.4%
Bottom → top quintile
43%
From bottom quintile
6%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at University of Mary?
University of Mary's acceptance rate is approximately 75% (Bismarck, ND), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for University of Mary?
Admitted students at University of Mary typically score 1110–1340 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does University of Mary cost?
At University of Mary, the average net price (after aid) is about $17,770 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend University of Mary?
University of Mary enrolls approximately 2,416 undergraduate students.
Where is University of Mary located?
University of Mary is located in Bismarck, ND.
Admissions
The University of Mary maintains a 78.2% acceptance rate, making it accessible yet selective, with admitted students typically posting SAT scores between 1120–1310 or ACT scores averaging 27.6. Notably, 100% of applicants receive some form of financial aid, softening the sticker shock of tuition. Rolling admissions dominate, though some programs enforce deadlines, and the university emphasizes Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone. over rigid test-score cutoffs (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 2025).
With nearly 60 undergraduate programs, the University of Mary is a "College of Distinction" lauded for hands-on learning and career readiness. Health professions dominate as the most popular majors, followed by kinesiology and business. Unique offerings include an Exploratory Studies Program for undecided students and a Rome campus for study abroad. As North Dakota’s largest degree-granting institution west of the Missouri River, it balances liberal arts with vocational training, anchored by a Benedictine commitment to 'community, hospitality, and service.'
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.
Life here revolves around faith, service, and camaraderie. Over 40 student organizations—from swing dance clubs to campus ministry—fuel a vibrant but low-pressure social scene. Students describe the vibe as 'welcoming and close-knit,' where it’s easy to find your niche. Weekly Mass, volunteer opportunities, and traditions like outdoor winter bonfires reflect the Benedictine ethos. The Bismarck location means rugged outdoor adventures (think hiking the Missouri River bluffs) balance academic rigor.
The university boasts an 84% first-year retention rate and a 71% six-year graduation rate—strong for a regional institution. Recent graduates report a median debt of $20,500, below the national average, with median earnings of $40,985 early in their careers. These figures reflect Mary’s focus on employable degrees (especially in healthcare) and robust internship networks across North Dakota.
Tuition transparency is a priority: the Net Price Calculator helps families estimate real costs after aid. 100% of students receive grants, averaging $7,523, with school-specific awards averaging $5,902. Though 64% take loans, the university emphasizes that its graduates carry less debt than peers at comparable institutions. Merit scholarships and Need-based aidFinancial aid awarded based on your family's ability to pay, as measured by forms like the FAFSA, rather than on achievements. are plentiful, leveraging the school’s Catholic mission to keep education affordable.
The University of Mary carves a distinct niche with its Benedictine values woven into career-focused education. Its Rome campus and health programs attract students seeking global exposure and practical skills, while the 84% retention rate signals a community that nurtures success. Unlike cutthroat elites, Mary fosters a culture where professors know students by name, tuition aid is nearly universal, and -20°F winters are offset by warm camaraderie. For those seeking faith-integrated learning without sacrificing job prospects, it’s a hidden gem on the Plains.
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