St. Mary's College vs. SU

Comparable Facts

Compare Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, IN with Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Saint Mary's College is larger than SU based on total student enrollment (1,601 students vs. 1,440 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Saint Mary's College is located in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting); Southwestern University is in Georgetown, TX (Distant Town setting).
• Saint Mary's College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Saint Mary's College 9:1; Southwestern University 11:1.

St. Mary's College vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St. Mary's College or SU? 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 SU ($27,865 vs. $32,228).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Mary's College are 5.4% lower than at Southwestern University ($14,260 vs. $15,072).
• Southwestern University is 1.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than St. Mary's College (about $583 more per year; $53,813.00 vs. $53,230.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.1% higher at SU than at Saint Mary's College (about $583 more per year; $53,813.00 vs. $53,230.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's College than at Southwestern University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's College students is 10.2% larger than aid received by Southwestern University students ($38,748 vs. $35,162).

St. Mary's College vs. SU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Mary's College (1230) is 10 points higher than at SU (1220).
• Incoming St. Mary's College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 28) as students at SU (28).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College 1130/1325; Southwestern University 1130/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College 26/30; Southwestern University 26/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St. Mary's College - Test optional; SU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman St. Mary's College students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at SU (3.5).
• St. Mary's College has a higher acceptance rate (76%) than SU (43.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at St. Mary's College vs. 13.8% at SU.

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

How do outcomes compare for St. Mary's College and SU? 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 Southwestern University's (73%).
• Graduates from Southwestern University earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than St. Mary's College graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,400 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwestern University graduates have a $107 lower median loan debt than St. Mary's College graduates ($26,893 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SU graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Mary's College graduates ($278 vs. $279).
• More St. Mary's College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SU students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 80%)

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.