Civil Engineering at University of Mary

North Dakota's two flagship engineering programs—University of North Dakota and North Dakota State—report first-year earnings around $73,000 for civil engineering graduates, establishing a strong baseline for the state. Based on national benchmarks for similar civil engineering programs, University of Mary graduates would likely earn around $70,000 in their first year, slightly below what the state's larger programs deliver but still respectable for an entry-level engineering salary.

The estimated $27,000 in debt creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39, meaning graduates would owe roughly five months' salary. This positions the program as more affordable than many engineering degrees nationally. Civil engineering typically offers stable career paths with clear licensing requirements and steady demand, particularly in infrastructure-heavy states like North Dakota where oil and gas development drives construction projects.

The challenge here is uncertainty. With only three civil engineering programs in North Dakota and limited graduate data from University of Mary specifically, you're making this decision with less concrete information than you'd have at UND or NDSU. If your child is specifically drawn to Mary's smaller environment or faith-based mission, the estimated financial picture doesn't suggest excessive risk. But if engineering outcomes are the priority, the established track records at the state's larger programs offer more certainty about post-graduation prospects.