About University
Mount St. Mary’s University is a private Catholic liberal arts university in Emmitsburg, Maryland, in the Catoctin Mountains near the Pennsylvania line. It emphasises ethical leadership, service and strong teaching within a residential undergraduate community.
For students planning the September 2026 intake, Mount St. Mary’s offers National Liberal Arts–adjacent programming (it competes in Regional Universities North in national rankings), ROTC partnerships, Division I athletics in select sports and published residential cost tables used for financial planning.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Institution type | Private nonprofit university |
| Location | Emmitsburg, Maryland (northern Frederick County) |
| Popular intake | September 2026 |
| U.S. News 2026 | #72 Regional Universities North (tie); #18 Best Value Schools (per Mount news citing U.S. News) |
| Campus culture | Catholic mission with theology and service expectations—review community standards |
| International admissions | International student services with I-20 cost documentation |
| Accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Why Mount St. Mary’s Can Be A Good Fit
Mount St. Mary’s fits students who want mountain-campus serenity, faculty mentorship and Washington, D.C. and Baltimore internship access within a 90-minute drive when summers are planned. Division I athletics add big-game energy uncommon at many small privates.
2026 Tuition Snapshot
Use the university’s cost of attendance and student accounts pages for the authoritative year. Illustrative 2025–26 residential undergraduate total from catalog-style tables cited in campus materials:
| Item | Residential undergraduate (illustrative annual) |
|---|---|
| Tuition | Mid–high five figures on official schedule |
| Fees, housing and meals | Bundled in residential totals near USD 65,700 on recent catalog tables |
| Total residential budget pattern | About USD 65,740 before discretionary travel and personal lines on sample tables |
Merit and Catholic school grants can reduce net cost—confirm 2026–27 figures each spring.
Admission Snapshot
| Area | What students should check |
|---|---|
| English proficiency | TOEFL / IELTS / Duolingo per international page |
| Theology/service | Core curriculum expectations for graduation |
| ROTC | Army ROTC partnership details for scholarship seekers |
| Nursing and health tracks | Clinical capacity and prerequisite timelines |
| Deadlines | Early action and regular decision on msmary.edu |
Campus And Student Life
Emmitsburg offers hiking, Grotto pilgrimage culture and tight-knit dorm traditions. Frederick adds restaurants and internships; D.C. is reachable for policy and nonprofit summers.
Who Should Consider Mount St. Mary’s?
Mount St. Mary’s can suit students who want:
- A September 2026 intake with faith-informed liberal education
- DI athletics without sacrificing small-class access
- Value rankings that highlight aid packaging (#18 Best Value pattern in 2026 press)
Things To Check Before Applying
Before finalising Mount St. Mary’s, students should confirm:
- Theology core alignment with personal beliefs
- Net price after merit and grants
- Winter weather transportation for clinicals or internships
- Graduate intent in education, seminary or health pathways
Popular For
Mount St. Mary’s University is especially popular with students who want Catholic liberal arts formation in Maryland’s mountains, #72 Regional Universities North placement (U.S. News 2026), #18 Best Value recognition (per Mount news citing U.S. News) and Division I athletics on a human-scale campus.
Key Highlights
| Popular for | Why students choose it |
|---|---|
| Value | #18 Best Value Schools (2026 press citing U.S. News) |
| Regional rank | #72 Regional Universities North (2026) |
| Faith integration | Theology core, Mass and service culture |
| Location | Emmitsburg quiet with D.C./Baltimore reach |
| ROTC | Army pathways for scholarship seekers |
| Athletics | DI competition in select sports |
| Teaching focus | Small seminars and faculty mentorship |
Why Students Choose Mount St. Mary’s
Students choose the Mount when they want mountain air Mass bells and Capitol Hill internships in the same undergraduate story. Seminary discernment and teacher preparation tracks are common.
Best Fit For September 2026
Mount St. Mary’s is a good match for students planning the September 2026 intake if they want:
- Catholic intellectual tradition with modern professional majors
- Merit aid conversations that include parochial school bonuses where applicable
Useful To Know
Pack snow boots—clinical drives in January require all-wheel drive or careful carpool planning.
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