Head-to-head · 2026
College of Saint Mary vs Nebraska Wesleyan University
Compare average net price ($16,590 at College of Saint Mary; $18,327 at Nebraska Wesleyan University), ROI score (8.19 vs 7.69), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($54,338 vs $56,405), and admissions selectivity (44.7% acceptance at College of Saint Mary; 79.8% at Nebraska Wesleyan University) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | College of Saint Mary | Nebraska Wesleyan University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.19 ✓ | 7.69 |
| Avg net price | $16,590 ✓ | $18,327 |
| 4-year avg net price | $66,360 ✓ | $73,308 |
| In-state tuition | $24,510 | $43,572 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $24,510 | $43,572 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $54,338 | $56,405 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 44.7% | 79.8% |
| Graduation rate | 60.5% | 66.1% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 79.8% ✓ | 75% |
| Median debt | $24,250 ✓ | $26,970 |
| Enrollment | 445 | 1,453 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | 1150 | 1189 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | College of Saint Mary | Nebraska Wesleyan University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $14,090 ✓ | $14,925 |
| Family income $30–48k | $12,713 ✓ | $16,974 |
| Family income $48–75k | $9,320 ✓ | $14,594 |
| Family income $75–110k | $15,242 ✓ | $18,244 |
| Family income $110k+ | $23,898 | $23,652 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | College of Saint Mary | Nebraska Wesleyan University |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 15.9% | 10.6% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 4.1% | 8.4% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 7.7% | 4.7% |
| Biology, General | 2.1% | 9.8% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 8.5% | 2.5% |
| Psychology, General | 0.6% | 5.9% |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | 3.5% | 1.8% |
| Special Education and Teaching | 1.8% | 1.6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
College of Saint Mary reports the lower average net price by $1,737 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $6,948 difference over four years ($66,360 vs $73,308).
Nebraska Wesleyan University reports $2,067 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($56,405 vs $54,338). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 79.8% at College of Saint Mary and 75% at Nebraska Wesleyan University. Median federal debt among completers is $24,250 vs $26,970, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
Related college comparisons
Promoted matchups involving the same colleges or other leading schools in their states.
Frequently asked
College of Saint Mary vs Nebraska Wesleyan University, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
College of Saint Mary is cheaper — average net price $16,590 per year vs $18,327 at Nebraska Wesleyan University. The annual difference of $1,737 adds up to about $6,948 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Nebraska Wesleyan University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $56,405 vs $54,338 at College of Saint Mary. The gap in the federal data is $2,067. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
College of Saint Mary is more selective at 44.7% acceptance vs 79.8% at Nebraska Wesleyan University.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.