University of Mary

What University of Mary does

The University of Mary is a private Catholic, Benedictine university founded in 1959 and headquartered in Bismarck, North Dakota, with 3,869 total enrolled students in Fall 2024 (2,829 undergraduate and 1,040 graduate). It delivers degree programs across multiple schools including a nationally #1-ranked nursing program, ABET-accredited engineering programs in mechanical, civil, and electrical, business, health sciences, education, and counseling, supported by 18 NCAA Division II sports teams. Distribution occurs through three primary channels: the main Bismarck campus, online and evening programs for working adults, and a Rome, Italy study-abroad campus, with additional graduate satellite sites across North Dakota.

Revenue is generated primarily through tuition (undergraduate, graduate, and online) and auxiliary services including on-campus housing and dining (including the 24/7 Crow's Nest Campus Restaurant). The institution also runs a Year-Round Campus accelerated enrollment option and Tuition-Free Academies offering full scholarships in every school for select students. The underlying technology stack is built on commercial, non-proprietary platforms: Canvas for LMS, Jenzabar ICS for student information, and HonorLock for online exam proctoring, with Microsoft 365 for communications and Google Analytics/AdWords for web marketing.

The go-to-market motion is direct-to-consumer through traditional university admissions channels (website, campus visits, recruitment events), targeting five distinct segments: traditional undergraduates, graduate students, working adults, international students via Rome, and military-affiliated students. The institution pursues multiple program-specific accreditations (CCNE, ABET, CAPTE, CACREP, ACOTE, CoARC, NASM, CSWE, CAA, IACBE, CAATE, CoAES, CAAHEP, CASCE) plus an NSA/DHS CAE-CD designation through 2030, and an on-campus CHI St. Alexius Health Clinic serves as a strategic healthcare partnership.

Name

University of Mary

Legal name

University of Mary

Website

https://umary.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

The University of Mary is a private Catholic, Benedictine university in Bismarck, North Dakota, serving 3,869 students (Fall 2024) through on-campus undergraduate and graduate programs, online and evening courses for working adults, and a Rome study-abroad campus, with a nationally #1-ranked nursing program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Religiously Affiliated Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Christian Colleges with Theological Programs (EDAHAKAG), Theological Universities & Pontifical Universities (EDAHAKAD), Campus Spiritual & Religious Life (EDALAHAI), Online Nonprofit Universities (EDAHALAK)

Keywords

• Private university education
• Undergraduate degree programs
• Graduate degree programs
• Online nursing programs
• Catholic higher education

Headquarters

HQ city

Bismarck

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Undergraduate Tuition: Tuition revenue from undergraduate degree programs, with scholarship opportunities and financial aid available to offset costs
2. Graduate Tuition: Tuition revenue from graduate and professional programs including nursing, business, education, and health sciences
3. Online & Evening Programs: Revenue from distance learning and adult education programs targeting working professionals
4. Room and Board: On-campus housing and dining services including The Crow's Nest Campus Restaurant operating 24/7

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The University of Mary is a private Catholic, Benedictine university that delivers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs through on-campus instruction in Bismarck, ND, online/evening programs for working adults, and study abroad at its Rome campus. It offers accredited programs across nursing, engineering, business, health sciences, education, and the liberal arts, supported by student services including housing, dining, athletics, counseling, and career preparation.

Product overview

The University of Mary is a private Catholic university offering a comprehensive educational portfolio through three main delivery channels: traditional on-campus undergraduate and graduate programs; online and evening programs for working adults; and study abroad opportunities through its Rome campus. The institution operates on a year-round campus model allowing accelerated degree completion. Academic programs span multiple professional fields including nursing (ranked #1 nationally), engineering (ABET-accredited), business, health sciences (occupational therapy, physical therapy, respiratory therapy), counseling, social work, speech-language pathology, and education. Student support services include an on-campus health clinic (CHI St. Alexius Health Clinic), mental health counseling, accessibility services, career preparation, and NCAA Division II athletics. Technology platforms supporting the student experience include the My.UMary.edu portal (built on Jenzabar ICS), Canvas LMS for online learning, and HonorLock for exam proctoring.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Undergraduate Programs
• Graduate Programs
• Online and Evening Programs
• Year-Round Campus
• Rome Campus (Study Abroad)
• Gregorian Scholars Honors Program
• NCAA Division II Athletics
• CHI St. Alexius Health Clinic
• Counseling Services
• Career Preparation Services
• Student Accessibility Services
• On-Campus Housing and Dining
• Tuition-Free Academies

Quantifiable outcome

• 84% first-time student retention rate for bachelor's degree students
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• CHI St. Alexius HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to operate an on-campus health clinic (CHI St. Alexius Health Clinic at the University of Mary) providing students with convenient access to medical services including exams, labs, prescriptions, and immunizations. Services consistent with Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services.
• Higher Learning CommissioncoreOthersInstitutional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools since 1969.
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)coreOthersAccreditation of baccalaureate, master's degree, and doctor of nursing practice programs.
• Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)coreOthersAccreditation for Athletic Training program; University of Mary is a founding member.
• ABETcoreOthersAccreditation for Bachelor of Science programs in mechanical, civil, and electrical engineering through the Commission on ABET.
• National Security Agency (NSA) / Department of Homeland SecuritycoreOthersDesignation as National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) through 2030, promoting higher education and research in cyber defense.
• Canvas LMScoreTechnology or IntegrationLearning management system platform (Canvas) used for online course delivery, assignments, and student engagement.
• HonorLockcoreTechnology or IntegrationOnline exam proctoring solution ensuring academic integrity for distance learners using the Canvas LMS.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Walsh University: Private Catholic university in North Canton, Ohio with strong nursing and health sciences programs. Comparable size, religious affiliation, and program portfolio mix.
• Mount Marty University: Private Catholic university in Yankton, South Dakota, sponsored by the Benedictine Sisters. Comparable size, religious affiliation, regional upper-Midwest footprint, and mix of liberal arts and professional/health science programs.
• Madonna University: Private Catholic university in Livonia, Michigan, founded by the Felician Sisters. Comparable in faith-based mission, small-to-mid size, and emphasis on professional and health science programs.
• Benedictine College: Private Catholic, Benedictine liberal arts college in Atchison, Kansas. Directly comparable as a small-to-mid-sized religiously affiliated Benedictine institution offering undergraduate and graduate programs with a faith-integrated mission.
• Saint Mary's University of Minnesota: Private Catholic, Lasallian university in Winona, Minnesota with extensive graduate and online programs. Comparable mix of undergraduate liberal arts, robust graduate enrollment, and faith-based identity.
• University of the Incarnate Word: Private Catholic university in San Antonio, Texas, with strong nursing, health sciences, and professional programs. Comparable mission-driven, faith-based positioning and emphasis on professional career outcomes.
• University of Saint Francis (Fort Wayne): Private Catholic university in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with prominent nursing and health sciences programs. Comparable in mission, faith affiliation, and program mix including strong nursing outcomes.
• Marymount University: Private Catholic university in Arlington, Virginia with strong nursing, health sciences, and graduate programs. Comparable in faith-based mission, professional program emphasis, and similar enrollment scale.

Regional players

• Minot State University: Public university in Minot, North Dakota. A regional peer competing for in-state students and faculty, particularly in education and health sciences.
• University of Jamestown: Private university in Jamestown, North Dakota with Presbyterian roots. A direct regional peer in North Dakota, with overlapping professional program offerings and similar enrollment scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/umary
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/universityofmary
• Facebookfacebook.com/324817202608
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/university-of-mary
• Instagraminstagram.com/universityofmary

Compliance19 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about University of Mary