Mount Marty University

Mount Marty’s academic offerings lean practical, with nursing, business administration, and elementary education dominating its most popular majors. The university makes a point of hiring instructors with real-world experience, particularly at its Watertown campus, where criminal justice and human services programs thrive. Standouts include:

• A Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice program, rare for a small liberal arts school
• Biotechnology Management, blending science and business
• Pre-professional tracks for med and law school aspirants

Parks/recreation and biology degrees also show surprising specialization, with 31 and 17 degrees awarded respectively in recent years.

This is a residential campus—65% of students live in university housing—with a distinctly communal, faith-infused vibe. Over 40 clubs and activities fill the calendar, though sports (especially baseball) anchor social life. The university emphasizes holistic growth, touting its focus on "philosopher, physical, social and spiritual" development. Intramurals and campus events thrive, with Facebook posts from Student Life showing everything from prayer groups to tailgates.

Mount Marty’s six-year graduation rate sits at 56%, slightly below the national average for private colleges. However, its 61% on-time graduation rate for first-time, full-time students suggests stronger outcomes for those who stay focused. Alumni earn an average salary of $48,179—a solid return given South Dakota’s low cost of living. The 68% freshman retention rate hints at reasonable student satisfaction.

At $35,775, Mount Marty’s sticker price undercuts the national private college average ($47,097). But the real story is aid: 100% of undergrads receive financial offers, with average packages totaling $38,451. After aid, the 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. drops to ~$22,227—though the Net Price Calculator warns this isn’t guaranteed. The university frames financing as a moral commitment, emphasizing accessibility for its predominantly Midwestern student body.

Mount Marty delivers two things exceptionally well: hands-on healthcare education (nursing, anesthesia) and low-stakes, high-support Catholicism. Its nurse anesthesia program is a legit standout, while the 11:1 student-faculty ratio ensures mentorship. The campus feels like a throwback—think communal meals, dorm life, and baseball games—but with modern perks like biotech labs. For South Dakotans (and nearby Iowans/Nebraskans), it’s a affordable-ish ticket to stable careers, wrapped in Benedictine values.