University of Mary Expands Groundbreaking Academy Model with New Tuition-Free Programs in Accounting and Elementary Education
56 Total Tuition-Free Scholarships Now Offered Across Innovative Academies to Accelerate Careers, Reduce College Debt, and Meet Workforce Demand
BISMARCK, ND — After the overwhelming success of its pilot Nursing Academy, launched in fall 2023, the University of Mary is expanding its trailblazing tuition-free academic model by unveiling two new academies in Accounting and Elementary Education, beginning fall 2026.
The expansion marks a bold step forward in Mary’s vision to revolutionize higher education through its academy model, which offers ambitious students a fast-tracked, cost-reduced path to meaningful careers. The three academies now collectively offer an unprecedented 50 tuition-free scholarships—30 in nursing, and 10 each in accounting and elementary education—with an additional six tuition-free scholarships being offered in engineering and the humanities, bringing the total to 56 tuition-free scholarships offered in incoming freshmen every year.
A Vision That Delivers
“The success of the Nursing Academy proved that when you combine academic excellence, moral formation, and affordability, students rise to the challenge,” said Rachael Brash, vice president for Public Affairs at the University of Mary. “These academies are transforming lives, creating new pathways to professional success, and helping meet the urgent demand for skilled workforce professionals in our community and throughout the region. The new Accounting and Elementary Education Academies continue our commitment to serve students and society with integrity, generosity, and bold innovation.”
Each academy offers full-tuition scholarships to select incoming freshmen—among the best and brightest from across the country—who commit to the University of Mary’s nationally recognized Year-Round Campus (YRC) model. By taking classes during consecutive fall, spring, and summer semesters, students complete their undergraduate degrees in just 2.6 years—nearly 18 months ahead of the traditional four-year college path.
For Nursing Academy students, the outcome includes guaranteed employment following graduation. Those selected for the Accounting Academy (housed in the Gary Tharaldson School of Business) and the Elementary Education Academy (within the Liffrig Family School of Education and Behavioral Sciences) will receive priority admittance in one of the many graduate offerings — such as the MBA or MEd programs—fast-tracking their graduate degrees and professional qualifications.
A Transformative Student Experience
Savanna Fredrickson, a Nursing Academy scholar from Powers Lake, ND, is a prime example of the success and rigor of the University of Mary’s academy model.
“The tuition-free scholarship has been a tremendous blessing,” said Fredrickson, who is set to be among the first academy cohort to graduate in spring 2026 and begin her nursing career at Sanford Medical Center in Bismarck. “This program has not only eased the financial burden, but it’s helped me grow as a person and as a future nurse. Knowing I have a job secured after graduation brings great peace of mind.”
Fredrickson’s experience reflects many of the academy hallmarks: direct freshman admission into competitive programs, personalized mentorship, elite clinical and networking opportunities, and a pilgrimage to Europe—a unique spiritual and cultural immersion that will also be part of the new Accounting and Elementary Education academies.
“So far, my time in the Nursing Academy has been filled with enriching and unforgettable experiences,” Fredrickson shared. “From hiking the scenic trails of Rapid City, South Dakota, to exploring the timeless beauty of Assisi, Italy, it feels like we’ve truly experienced it all.”
Academics with Real-World Results
Students in the Accounting and Elementary Education Academies will join the YRC model and complete their undergraduate degrees in just 2.6 years, followed by enrollment in the university’s many graduate offerings such as the Master of Business Administration (MBA) or Master of Education (MEd) programs, respectively. Academy students will enter the workforce faster, with both undergraduate and graduate degrees in hand in as little as just four years—saving time and money while earning more, sooner.
For students like Savanna, the impact is deeply personal.
“Each lecture starts with a reflection or prayer which sets our minds on things above,” she reflected. “As we are learning about what it takes to be a great nurse, we are challenged to grow in other areas of our life.”
That kind of formation, both personal and professional, is exactly what the University of Mary envisioned when launching its first tuition-free academy.
“For students serious about their vocations and their futures, this model is simply unmatched,” added Brash. “They graduate faster, reduce student debt, and gain a competitive edge in their careers, whether that’s in the hospital, classroom, or business world. And because the academies are drawing high-caliber students from across the country, they’re not only transforming lives — they’re also strengthening our regional workforce and fueling long-term economic growth throughout the area.”
Not Just Academies—A Culture of Excellence
In addition to the three academies, the Hamm School of Engineering and the humanities will also offer three tuition-free scholarships each. While these are not formal academies, they offer unique merit-based opportunities. Humanities scholarship recipients will be Gregorian Scholars, engaging in a variety of scholarly and civic enrichment events. Engineering scholars will receive top-tier technical education and mentorship with exclusive experiences in and out of the classroom. Additional scholarships, covering half of their tuition throughout the program, will be awarded to alternate recipients in both schools.
A Growing National Model
In less than two years, the University of Mary has gone from launching its first academy to now offering a comprehensive suite of tuition-free, career-focused programs that blend moral formation, academic excellence, and practical outcomes for a robust workforce. As the university continues to expand its influence and innovation, its model is quickly becoming a national example for how to reimagine the value and purpose of higher education.
To learn more about the academies or to apply visit www.umary.edu/TuitionFree