Saint Mary's College of California vs. Piedmont University

Comparable Facts

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

Saint Mary's College of California is larger than Piedmont University based on total student enrollment (2,734 students vs. 1,857 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

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

Which college is more expensive, Saint Mary's College of California or Piedmont 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 Piedmont University than Saint Mary's College of California ($22,252 vs. $35,332).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Piedmont University are 25.6% lower than at Saint Mary's College of California ($13,100 vs. $17,600).
• Saint Mary's College of California is 82.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Piedmont University (about $26,103 more per year; $57,803.00 vs. $31,700.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 82.3% higher at Saint Mary's College of California than at Piedmont University (about $26,103 more per year; $57,803.00 vs. $31,700.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's College of California as at Piedmont University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's College of California students is 72.3% larger than aid received by Piedmont University students ($42,407 vs. $24,618).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Mary's College of California (1160) is 20 points higher than at Piedmont University (1140).
• Incoming Saint Mary's College of California students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at Piedmont University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College of California 1070/1253; Piedmont University 1038/1245.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College of California 21/28; Piedmont University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Saint Mary's College of California - Test-free; Piedmont University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Saint Mary's College of California Jan 15, 2027; Piedmont University Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Saint Mary's College of California students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Piedmont University (3.54).
• Piedmont University has a higher acceptance rate (93.3%) than Saint Mary's College of California (86.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Saint Mary's College of California vs. 14.6% at Piedmont University.

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

How do outcomes compare for Saint Mary's College of California and Piedmont University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Saint Mary's College of California's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Piedmont University's (46%).
• Graduates from Saint Mary's College of California earn a median of about $25,800 more per year than Piedmont University graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,800 vs. $41,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Piedmont University graduates have a $1,264 lower median loan debt than Saint Mary's College of California graduates ($23,736 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Piedmont University graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saint Mary's College of California graduates ($245 vs. $258).
• More Saint Mary's College of California graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Piedmont University students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 44%)

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.