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Founded in 1959, University of Mary. is a Private college. Located in North Dakota, which is a city setting in North Dakota, the campus itself is Rural. The campus is home to 2,218 full time undergraduate students, and 1,042 full time graduate students.
The University of Mary Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 15:1. There are 123 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at University of Mary include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.
Quick Facts
Acceptance Rate
77%
Application Deadline
Application Fee
30
SAT Range
930-1170
ACT Range
20-26
Admissions at are considered Less Selective, with ,19% of all applicants being admitted.
In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 37 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.
71% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 42% were in the top quarter, and 16% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.
STUDENT LIFE Reviews
We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at University of Mary.
0%
“We”re apathetic”
13%
“We know about current events and vote”
63%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
25%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
0%
“Sometimes, but not often”
38%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
63%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
13%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
88%
“I feel extremely safe”
13%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
63%
“We bought the gear”
25%
“We live for the big game”
13%
“It”s not really our thing”
13%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
63%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
13%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
50%
“They keep regular office hours”
50%
“They”re always available”
75%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
13%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
13%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
38%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
50%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
0%
“We only party on weekends”
13%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
38%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
63%
“There might be people who do”
0%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
0%
“We”re apathetic”
13%
“We know about current events and vote”
63%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
25%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
0%
“Sometimes, but not often”
38%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
63%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
13%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
88%
“I feel extremely safe”
13%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
63%
“We bought the gear”
25%
“We live for the big game”
13%
“It”s not really our thing”
13%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
63%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
13%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
50%
“They keep regular office hours”
50%
“They”re always available”
75%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
13%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
13%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
39 Students rated on-campus housing 3.8 stars. 26 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate off-campus housing?
32 Students rated off-campus housing 3.4 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus food?
42 Students rated campus food 3.4 stars. 21 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus facilities?
46 Students rated campus facilities 4 stars. 41 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate class size?
46 Students rated class size 4.5 stars. 61 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate school activities?
46 Students rated school activities 4 stars. 41 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate local services?
46 Students rated local services 3.8 stars. 35 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate academics?
46 Students rated academics 4 stars. 37 % gave the school a 5.0.
University of Mary REVIEWS
What's your overall opinion of University of Mary?
19 Students rated University of Mary
Alexis
Prospective04/10/2025
The University of Mary is the only place I can see myself going to college. From it's strong Catholic values, to the kindest people, to being the only school with the exact program I was looking for. It has it all, with 8 chapels on campus, great food, and ways upon ways to connect and serve our own community as well as the communities around us. When I visited I only realized how truly happy I could be in this beautiful bubble, even if I am 1,000 miles from home. I can't wait!
Ava
02/20/2025
University had a great campus. It was on top of a hill which was really pretty. They do get really bad winters though. We got the chance to eat in the dining hall with our tour guide. The food was really good and there were lots of options. I also got the change to participate in an open gym with some of the volleyball players. They were super nice and welcoming. They spoke really highly of the school. Everyone I met was really nice and offered lots of great information. This college really emphasizes building a community and was shown through the whole campus!
Tara
07/29/2024
The University of Mary is everything I look for in a college. They literally check off every single box that I had, nothing left out. The people make me feel at home and the teachers truly care about you as a person and as a student. My heart is full knowing that I am surrounded by like minded people who still find ways to challenge me creatively and intellectually! UMary is my home away from home and I will always love it there.
Eric
05/13/2024
UMary is a fabulous school. Would recommend to anyone looking for a good Catholic college, or just looking for a college where all of the people there are good people. Students leave their laptops unattended at UMary and never have to worry about theft. The professors are extremely accessible and friendly.
Bridget
12/24/2022
I am so glad I chose to attend the University of Mary. It is a very safe, welcoming culture filled with good people and great opportunities that promote growth and community. It is not by any means a "party school", though there may be some students to be found here and there who are into that kind of thing. Overall, it is a wonderful university that I am proud to be a student at!
Elizabeth
11/17/2021
When I first visited the University of Mary, I felt a huge welcoming presence. Now that I am half way through my sophomore year, I still feel that same welcoming spirit! I do not regret my choice to go to UMary at all! I love it here and I am so glad this is where I have ended up!
Jenna
09/19/2020
University of Mary, in my opinion, can either be a perfect fit or it could be everything you didn't want in a college. If you are looking for the "college experience" then UMary is not for you. There are strict rules about pretty much everything you can think of. This can either be seen as a good thing because it means there is structure on campus or it can be seen as restraining to some. The campus is diverse and filled with all kinds of personalities so finding friends shouldn't be a concern! There is pretty much every sport available if you are interested in those! We just got a golf team this year! Personally, I recommend going to the hockey games because the stands are always filled and it's a lot of fun! Bismarck is not the worst place to go to college. It might seem like it's in the middle of nowhere but there is plenty of stuff in town and campus is a short drive to town. And I have to mention the view off the hill on the UMary campus is something you really can't see anywhere else.
Emma
05/20/2020
I love the university of Mary. It has a great atmosphere and a wonderful administration that are Very willing to help the students. It feels like a small community where you can trust everyone. While it may be a bit farther from town, there are still great trails and food variety to try from
Morgan
01/22/2020
I love it here. The University of Mary is a great college the professors are all wonderful so far and the food is amazing. The safety here leaves me always feeling incredibly safe. I do get a bit lonely sometimes, but my boyfriend of over two years is coming here next year and we are amazing.
Katie
01/15/2020
For the most part, the professors here are great, the class sizes are great, and the environment is great. Campus is small and beautiful and the 24 hour eating area is amazing. The thing that needs to be worked on is the communication between the students and the administration.
Rachel
11/24/2019
The University of Mary is the perfect option if you are looking for an affordable yet private, Catholic liberal education. Many people who attend say that the community and truly Catholic values are what drew them here, but it is not an exclusively Catholic student body. We have NCAA Division II Athletics, study abroad options including a campus in Rome, and a 24/7, all you can eat dining center (yes, you read that right! And that's included with most basic meal plans). While the chilly North Dakota winds are probably the biggest drawback, the view overlooking the Missouri River as you walk to class everyday is pretty neat, and even better if you catch the sunset. The academic programs at the University of Mary help to prepare you to enter the workforce not just as a competent professional, but as a fully formed person. Their goal is to provide an education for the whole of life, and I certainly have found that in my time here thus far.
Hannah
05/31/2019
The University of Mary is an amazing school that I highly recommend! I have just finished my freshman year there and it has been one of the best years of my life. The faith community is great with opportunities of daily Mass. The crow's nest is also pretty lit.
Antoinette
12/11/2018
I love it! I'm obsessed with the small class sizes and how accessible and helpful the professors are. It's more than a school, it's a community. Everyone on campus is very welcoming and the campus is always alive! There's no end to the amazing opportunities offered.
Angela
11/02/2018
I absolutely love the University of Mary. The campus has a beautiful sense of community and I can feel the growth of myself becoming a better person. The faculty treat every student with respect and are very approachable. I am so happy I chose to come to the University of Mary!
Kate
10/05/2018
University of Mary in Bismarck ND is an absolutely amazing place. The campus isn't beautiful. The views overlooking the bluffs of the Missouri River are breath taking. The faculty and staff of the school, led by the esteemible Monsingnor James P. Shea, poor their hearts, souls, hard work and talents into the education of the full person for their students at Mary. University of Mary is the greatest college in America, and I am eternally blessed and grateful to be a student here.
The fall 2020 acceptance rate for University of Mary is 77%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020, _____ students were offered admission.
What should every freshman at your school know before they start?
We have Mass offered every day, Adoration, and Confession. The retired bishop lives out here! The Catholic Studies Program is awesome, and we get the opportunity to study in Rome, Italy! Some of our favorite high school teachers work out here too!
What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?
The only real problem with my school is simply that it is in North Dakota and during the winters it gets much colder then I have ever experienced due to the fact that I lived most of my life in Hawaii.
My classmates are very typical, everyone gets along for the most part, we have smaller classes so we all know each other, there are a few loose strings in the bunch, but that usually happens.
The University of Mary offers community as well as a good environment for learning. The kind of person that should attend this school would be one that would like a smaller school that still offers opportunities to advance acedemically. The Benedictine values are shown and there are many activities here that can help strengthen one's faith. It is also nice for those students who what more one on one contact with their instructors.
The University of Mary is best known for its Benedictine Values and our leadership abilities. These values are hospitality, service, community, respect, prayer, and moderation. These six values are used in every area of the school, whether it is in the classroom or in a sport. All six values are incredibly important to UMary, thanks to the Benedictine Sisters, our founders. UMary is also known as "America's leadership university," that is pretty incredible for a small school in North Dakota. I think that together, these to aspects make this school a special place.
Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!
I like that the University is not right in town with all the hussle of the big city. Most of the buildings here at the University are connected so there is less walking outside in the cold, long winter.
What kind of person should not attend this school?
A person who enjoys large cities and a large variety of activities such as dances, clubs, malls, and arcades would not enjoy it here. A person who has low academic motivation should also not attend this school. People who do not enjoy cold weather probably would not like the University of Mary becuase the campus is small and we walk everywhere.
All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA.
Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.
100% of students attending University of Mary receive some sort of financial aid.
22% were awarded federal grants.67%received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.
