Saint Mary's College of California vs. Stephens College

Comparable Facts

Compare Saint Mary's College of California in Moraga, CA with Stephens College in Columbia, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Saint Mary's College of California is larger than Stephens College based on total student enrollment (2,734 students vs. 568 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Saint Mary's College of California is located in Moraga, CA (Large Suburban setting); Stephens College is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• Saint Mary's College of California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Stephens College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Saint Mary's College of California 10:1; Stephens College 8:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, Saint Mary's College of California or Stephens College? 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 Stephens College than Saint Mary's College of California ($23,194 vs. $35,332).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Stephens College are 24.1% lower than at Saint Mary's College of California ($13,366 vs. $17,600).
• Saint Mary's College of California is 104.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Stephens College (about $29,503 more per year; $57,803.00 vs. $28,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 104.3% higher at Saint Mary's College of California than at Stephens College (about $29,503 more per year; $57,803.00 vs. $28,300.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's College of California as at Stephens College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's College of California students is 81.7% larger than aid received by Stephens College students ($42,407 vs. $23,341).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stephens College (1200) is 40 points higher than at Saint Mary's College of California (1160).
• Incoming Saint Mary's College of California students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 19 at Stephens College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College of California 1070/1253; Stephens College 1130/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College of California 21/28; Stephens College 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Saint Mary's College of California - Test-free; Stephens College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Saint Mary's College of California Jan 15, 2027; Stephens College Nov 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Saint Mary's College of California students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Stephens College (3.27).
• Saint Mary's College of California has a higher acceptance rate (86.5%) than Stephens College (77.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Saint Mary's College of California vs. 14.6% at Stephens College.

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

How do outcomes compare for Saint Mary's College of California and Stephens College? 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 Stephens College's (55%).
• Graduates from Saint Mary's College of California earn a median of about $29,400 more per year than Stephens College graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,800 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Saint Mary's College of California graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Stephens College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Saint Mary's College of California graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Stephens College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Saint Mary's College of California graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Stephens College students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 63%)

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.