Saint Mary's College of California vs. SAU

Comparable Facts

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

Saint Mary's College of California is larger than SAU based on total student enrollment (2,734 students vs. 2,441 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Saint Mary's College of California vs. SAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Saint Mary's College of California or SAU? 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 Spring Arbor University than Saint Mary's College of California ($21,067 vs. $35,332).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 35% lower than at Saint Mary's College of California ($11,440 vs. $17,600).
• Saint Mary's College of California is 69.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than SAU (about $23,789 more per year; $57,803.00 vs. $34,014.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 69.9% higher at Saint Mary's College of California than at Spring Arbor University (about $23,789 more per year; $57,803.00 vs. $34,014.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's College of California as at Spring Arbor University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's College of California students is 77.6% larger than aid received by Spring Arbor University students ($42,407 vs. $23,877).

Saint Mary's College of California vs. SAU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Saint Mary's College of California or SAU? 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 SAU and Saint Mary's College of California.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Mary's College of California (1160) is 30 points higher than at SAU (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College of California 1070/1253; Spring Arbor University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College of California 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Saint Mary's College of California - Test-free; SAU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Saint Mary's College of California Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SAU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Saint Mary's College of California (3.6).
• Saint Mary's College of California has a higher acceptance rate (86.5%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Saint Mary's College of California vs. 16.5% at SAU.

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

How do outcomes compare for Saint Mary's College of California and SAU? 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 Spring Arbor University's (56%).
• Graduates from Saint Mary's College of California earn a median of about $24,200 more per year than SAU graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,800 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spring Arbor University graduates have a $957 lower median loan debt than Saint Mary's College of California graduates ($24,043 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, SAU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saint Mary's College of California graduates ($248 vs. $258).
• More Saint Mary's College of California graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SAU students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 58%)

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.