Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
| Location | Moraga, California |
| Online | stmarys-ca.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Large Suburban |
| Religious Affiliation | Roman Catholic |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Saint Mary's College of California occupies a 420-acre campus in Moraga, located in the East Bay hills approximately 20 miles from San Francisco. The institution, founded in 1863 by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, features Mission Revival-style architecture anchored by its historic Chapel that sits prominently at the heart of campus. As a private liberal arts college, Saint Mary's maintains selective admission standards and operates on a distinctive core curriculum that incorporates the Great Books program through its Collegiate Seminar series. The college is recognized for its business administration, psychology, and liberal arts programs, while its men's basketball team competes in NCAA Division I athletics as part of the West Coast Conference. Most undergraduate students live in the college's residential communities during their first two years, with on-campus housing available throughout their enrollment.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Saint Marys College of California is rated within the top 35% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 7 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Saint Marys College of California within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#289 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#210 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#28 in Best Colleges in California
#19 in Best Private Colleges in California
#225 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#20 in Best Value Colleges in California
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1070/1253 |
| ACT | 21/28 |
| GPA | 3.6 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Jan 15, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $60 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $938 |
| Other Fees | $500 |
| Room and Board | $16,900 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,978 |
| Total One Year Cost | $77,950 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 30% |
| Social Sciences | 12% |
| Liberal Arts and Humanities | 10% |
| Communication | 10% |
| Health Professions | 7% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Saint Marys College of California are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=123554 IPEDS survey data for Saint Marys College of California.
Current students may use the Saint Marys College of California GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025