College of Saint Mary

This commuter-heavy campus (61% live off-site) buzzes modestly, with student-led BBQs and pool parties filling the social calendar. Housing options are limited but foster community—think shared kitchens and lounges rather than Greek life. The Centers for Culture and Social Action organize service opportunities and identity-based programming, while NCAA Division II athletics (basketball, volleyball) draw modest crowds. It’s the kind of place where ‘quiet’ gets called out in reviews, but tight friendships form over late-night study sessions.

CSM’s 51% four-year graduation rate outpaces many regional peers, with nursing and business grads typically landing jobs in Omaha’s healthcare and corporate sectors. Median earnings hit $59,339 within six years—solid for a liberal arts-heavy institution. The college touts high teacher-licensure pass rates and a 59% overall graduation rate (including transfers), though alumni salaries skew lower than national benchmarks for selective private colleges.

At $20,200 net price?Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. (after aid), CSM undercuts many private colleges, with merit scholarships ranging $12,000-$17,000 annually for top students. Nearly all attendees receive some aid, including Pell Grants and work-study. The financial aid office aggressively packages grants to reduce loan dependence—a selling point for first-gen?First-generation (first-gen)A student who would be the first in their immediate family to earn a four-year college degree. Many colleges consider this in context. and low-income students. Still, the sticker price ($35,000+ tuition) requires careful planning, especially for commuters balancing jobs and coursework.

CSM carves a niche as a women’s college that prioritizes accessibility without sacrificing rigor—its nursing grads outperform state averages, while business majors tap Omaha’s Fortune 500 scene. The vibe is ‘supportive hustle’: professors know students by name, internships are baked into curricula, and the 10:1 faculty ratio means no one slips through cracks. It’s not for those craving Big Ten football or avant-garde arts, but as a launchpad for healthcare and business careers in the Heartland, few rivals match its ROI.