St. Mary's College vs. Dort

Comparable Facts

Compare Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, IN with Dordt University in Sioux Center, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dordt University is larger than St. Mary's College based on total student enrollment (1,952 students vs. 1,601 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Saint Mary's College is located in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting); Dordt University is in Sioux Center, IA (Remote Town setting).
• Saint Mary's College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dordt University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Saint Mary's College 9:1; Dordt University 14:1.

St. Mary's College vs. Dort Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St. Mary's College or Dort? 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 Saint Mary's College than Dort ($27,865 vs. $28,486).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dordt University are 17.5% lower than at Saint Mary's College ($11,770 vs. $14,260).
• Saint Mary's College is 43.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dort (about $16,180 more per year; $53,230.00 vs. $37,050.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.7% higher at St. Mary's College than at Dordt University (about $16,180 more per year; $53,230.00 vs. $37,050.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's College as at Dordt University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's College students is 66.5% larger than aid received by Dordt University students ($38,748 vs. $23,277).

St. Mary's College vs. Dort Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, St. Mary's College or Dort? 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 Dort and St. Mary's College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Mary's College (1230) is 30 points higher than at Dort (1200).
• Incoming St. Mary's College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at Dort).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College 1130/1325; Dordt University 1070/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College 26/30; Dordt University 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St. Mary's College - Test optional; Dort - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman St. Mary's College students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Dort (3.65).
• St. Mary's College has a higher acceptance rate (76%) than Dort (68.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at St. Mary's College vs. 38% at Dort.

St. Mary's College vs. Dort Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St. Mary's College and Dort? 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's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than Dordt University's (60%).
• Graduates from Saint Mary's College earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than Dort graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,100 vs. $43,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dordt University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than St. Mary's College graduates ($23,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Dort graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Mary's College graduates ($237 vs. $279).
• More Dort graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St. Mary's College students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 85%)

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.