# University of Mary

> private, Benedictine university near Bismarck, North Dakota, United States

**Wikidata**: [Q14708393](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q14708393)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Mary)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/university-of-mary

## Summary
The University of Mary is a private, Catholic, Benedictine university located in Bismarck, North Dakota, United States. Founded in 1959, it offers undergraduate and graduate programs through a semester-based academic calendar. The institution serves approximately 3,800 students and is classified among master’s colleges and universities with larger programs.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1959
- Located in Bismarck, North Dakota; campus overlooks the Missouri River Valley
- Private not-for-profit educational institution affiliated with the Catholic Church
- Total enrollment around 3,799 students (as of 2020)
- Endowment valued at $55.2 million (as of June 30, 2020)
- Operates under the name “Mary Marauders” for athletics
- Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
- Main address: 7500 University Dr, Bismarck, ND 58504

## FAQs
### Q: Is the University of Mary a religious school?
A: Yes, the University of Mary is a Catholic institution rooted in the Benedictine tradition. It integrates faith and learning into its mission and curriculum.

### Q: Where is the University of Mary located?
A: The University of Mary is located in Bismarck, North Dakota, specifically in the Lincoln-Fort Rice area. Its campus overlooks the Missouri River Valley.

### Q: How many students attend the University of Mary?
A: As of fall 2020, the university had a total student body of approximately 3,799. In fall 2021, there were about 3,400 full-time equivalent students.

## Why It Matters
The University of Mary plays a vital role in providing accessible, values-based higher education in rural North Dakota. As a Catholic, Benedictine institution, it emphasizes service, leadership, and ethical formation alongside rigorous academics. With strong programs in health professions, business, liberal arts, and education, UMary contributes significantly to workforce development in the region. Its commitment to affordability and high admission yield rates also makes it an attractive option for students seeking personalized attention within a supportive community environment.

## Notable For
- Being one of the few Benedictine-affiliated universities in the Midwest
- Strong focus on integrating Catholic intellectual traditions with modern professional training
- High undergraduate selectivity combined with robust graduate offerings
- Active presence across multiple social media platforms including YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Threads
- Consistent participation in national surveys such as the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) endowment study

## Body

### History and Founding
The University of Mary was established in 1959 by the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Priory in Bismarck, North Dakota. Initially founded as Mary College, it began offering associate degrees before expanding into a four-year institution granting bachelor’s and eventually master’s degrees.

### Academic Programs and Classifications
UMary operates on a semester system and is categorized by the Carnegie Classification as:
- Master's Colleges and Universities – Larger Programs
- Four-Year, Small, Primarily Residential
- Professions Plus Arts & Sciences, Some Graduate Coexistence

It offers programs in fields like nursing, education, business administration, psychology, theology, and more. The institution has been recognized for blending liberal arts with career-focused disciplines.

### Campus Location and Facilities
Located in Lincoln-Fort Rice near Bismarck, the campus features scenic views of the Missouri River Valley. Coordinates: Latitude 46.72, Longitude -100.75. The physical address is 7500 University Drive, Bismarck, ND 58504.

### Financial Overview
As of fiscal year-end 2020:
- Endowment: $55,238,936
- Total Assets: $188,008,414
These figures reflect steady growth over time, supported by donor contributions and prudent financial management.

### Student Demographics and Admissions
In Fall 2020:
- Total Enrollment: 3,799
- Admission Rate: 72%
- Yield Rate: 44%

Full-time equivalents stood at approximately 3,400 in Fall 2021. These metrics indicate moderate selectiveness and strong interest among accepted applicants.

### Athletics and Identity
Athletically known as the "Marauders," UMary competes in NCAA Division II sports and is part of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The athletics program supports both men’s and women’s teams across various sports.

### Digital Presence and Engagement
Social Media Highlights:
- Twitter (@umary): ~3,783 followers (April 2020), growing to ~3,906 by early 2021
- YouTube Channel ("University of Mary"): Over 858,250 cumulative video views as of November 2025
- Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads all actively maintained

This digital footprint enhances recruitment efforts and fosters engagement with alumni and prospective students globally.

### Religious Affiliation and Mission
Rooted in the teachings of the Catholic Church and guided by Benedictine values, UMary promotes intellectual curiosity, moral integrity, and community service. This spiritual foundation shapes campus culture and informs curricular decisions.

### Institutional Recognition and IDs
Key Identifiers:
- ROR ID: 055f0jp24
- GRID ID: grid.266669.b
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) ID: 200217
- Library of Congress Authority ID: no94037059
- Times Higher Education World University ID: university-mary

These identifiers support global discoverability and integration into scholarly databases and administrative systems.

## References

1. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System
2. GeoNames
3. Geographic Names Information System
4. GRID Release 2017-01-10
5. Google Maps
6. Google Knowledge Graph
7. Freebase Data Dumps
8. [Source](http://www.umary.edu/)
9. Faceted Application of Subject Terminology
10. [U.S. and Canadian 2022 NTSE Participating Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2022 Endowment Market Value, Change in Market Value from FY21 to FY22, and FY22 Endowment Market Values Per Full-time Equivalent Student (Excel). National Association of College and University Business Officers. 2023](https://www.nacubo.org/Research/2022/Public-NTSE-Tables)
11. [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/c/universityofmary/about)
12. GRID Release 2015-12-14
13. GRID Release 2016-12-06
14. BabelNet
15. Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education
16. Quora
17. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
18. YouTube API
19. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph
20. [U.S. and Canadian 2022 NTSE Participating Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2022 Endowment Market Value, Change in Market Value from FY21 to FY22, and FY22 Endowment Market Values Per Full-time Equivalent Student (Excel). 2023](https://www.nacubo.org/Research/2022/Public-NTSE-Tables)
21. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)
22. National Center for Education Statistics