Information Science/Studies at University of Mary

A debt load of $26,694 seems manageable for tech-adjacent work, but the earnings picture here deserves scrutiny. Based on similar Information Science programs nationally, graduates typically start around $58,651—more than $5,600 below what other North Dakota programs produce. When the only other program in the state with reported data (Rasmussen) shows first-year earnings of $64,329, that gap matters. Information Science sits in an awkward space between business, IT, and data analysis, and without school-specific outcomes, it's hard to know whether University of Mary's program emphasizes the higher-paying technical skills or leans more theoretical.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46 suggests graduates could reasonably handle their loans, assuming they land relevant work quickly. But peer programs in North Dakota appear to deliver stronger earning power with lower debt ($22,632 median), which raises questions about value. The national benchmark offers little comfort—this program tracks right at the median, meaning half of Information Science programs nationwide do better. For a private religious university charging enough to generate $27,000 in debt, parents should expect outcomes that beat, not merely match, the national average.

Without actual graduate data from University of Mary, you're betting on whether this program connects students to North Dakota's modest but growing tech sector. Get specifics from the school about job placement rates and whether their curriculum emphasizes database management, information security, or user experience—those distinctions drive whether $58,000 becomes $70,000.