Saint Mary's College of California vs. Bellarmine University

Comparable Facts

Compare Saint Mary's College of California in Moraga, CA with Bellarmine University in Louisville, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bellarmine University is larger than Saint Mary's College of California based on total student enrollment (2,886 students vs. 2,734 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Saint Mary's College of California is located in Moraga, CA (Large Suburban setting); Bellarmine University is in Louisville, KY (Large City setting).
• Saint Mary's College of California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bellarmine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Saint Mary's College of California 10:1; Bellarmine University 12:1.

Saint Mary's College of California vs. Bellarmine University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Saint Mary's College of California or Bellarmine University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bellarmine University than Saint Mary's College of California ($23,165 vs. $35,332).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bellarmine University are 38.4% lower than at Saint Mary's College of California ($10,850 vs. $17,600).
• Saint Mary's College of California is 18.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bellarmine University (about $9,033 more per year; $57,803.00 vs. $48,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.5% higher at Saint Mary's College of California than at Bellarmine University (about $9,033 more per year; $57,803.00 vs. $48,770.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's College of California as at Bellarmine University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's College of California students is 8.7% larger than aid received by Bellarmine University students ($42,407 vs. $39,001).

Saint Mary's College of California vs. Bellarmine University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Saint Mary's College of California or Bellarmine University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Bellarmine University and Saint Mary's College of California.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Saint Mary's College of California (1160) is 20 points higher than at Bellarmine University (1140).
• Incoming Bellarmine University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 24 at Saint Mary's College of California).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Saint Mary's College of California 1070/1253; Bellarmine University 1030/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Saint Mary's College of California 21/28; Bellarmine University 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Saint Mary's College of California - Test-free; Bellarmine University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Saint Mary's College of California Jan 15, 2027; Bellarmine University Feb 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Saint Mary's College of California students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Bellarmine University (3.42).
• Saint Mary's College of California has a higher acceptance rate (86.5%) than Bellarmine University (86.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Saint Mary's College of California vs. 13.1% at Bellarmine University.

Saint Mary's College of California vs. Bellarmine University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Saint Mary's College of California and Bellarmine University? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Bellarmine University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Saint Mary's College of California's (61%).
• Graduates from Saint Mary's College of California earn a median of about $16,500 more per year than Bellarmine University graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,800 vs. $50,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bellarmine University and Saint Mary's College of California graduates have the same median loan debt ($25,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Bellarmine University and Saint Mary's College of California graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($258 vs. $258).
• More Bellarmine University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saint Mary's College of California students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 71%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.