SCU vs. Saint Mary's College of California

Santa Clara University and Saint Mary's College of California side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Santa Clara University
Saint Mary's College of California

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: SCU (48% admitted vs 86.5%). Typical SAT 1420 vs 1160.
  • Cheaper after aid: Saint Mary's College of California. Average net price is $35,332 vs $53,883 at SCU.
  • Graduation: SCU 85% vs Saint Mary's College of California 61%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: SCU $81,900 vs Saint Mary's College of California $66,800 (median).
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Key differences

Santa Clara University Saint Mary's College of California
Acceptance rate
SCU more selective
SCU48%
Saint Mary's College of California86.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
SCU higher
SCU1350-1490
Saint Mary's College of California1070-1253
Average net price
Saint Mary's College of California $18,551 less
SCU$53,883
Saint Mary's College of California$35,332
In-state tuition
Saint Mary's College of California $3,490 less
SCU$61,293
Saint Mary's College of California$57,803
Out-of-state tuition
Saint Mary's College of California $3,490 less
SCU$61,293
Saint Mary's College of California$57,803
Graduation rate
SCU +24 pts
SCU85%
Saint Mary's College of California61%
Median earnings (10 years)
SCU +$15,100
SCU$81,900
Saint Mary's College of California$66,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • SCU 18,970
  • Saint Mary's College of California 5,175
  • Admitted
  • SCU 9,105
  • Saint Mary's College of California 4,478
  • Acceptance rate
  • SCU 48%
  • Saint Mary's College of California 86.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • SCU 17.7%
  • Saint Mary's College of California 9.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • SCU 1420
  • Saint Mary's College of California 1160
  • Typical ACT score
  • SCU 32
  • Saint Mary's College of California 24
  • Average high school GPA
  • SCU 3.67
  • Saint Mary's College of California 3.6
  • Typical high school grades
  • SCU A-
  • Saint Mary's College of California A-
  • Admissions standards
  • SCU Exceptional
  • Saint Mary's College of California Average
  • Applicant competition
  • SCU Low
  • Saint Mary's College of California
  • SAT range
  • SCU 1350-1490
  • Saint Mary's College of California 1070-1253
  • ACT range
  • SCU 31-33
  • Saint Mary's College of California 21-28
  • Submit test scores
  • SCU Test optional
  • Saint Mary's College of California Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • SCU Jan 7, 2027
  • Saint Mary's College of California Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • SCU $61,293
  • Saint Mary's College of California $57,803
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • SCU $61,293
  • Saint Mary's College of California $57,803
  • Room & board
  • SCU $19,893
  • Saint Mary's College of California $17,600
  • Average net price
  • SCU $53,883
  • Saint Mary's College of California $35,332
  • Average grant aid
  • SCU $28,368
  • Saint Mary's College of California $42,407
  • % receiving grant aid
  • SCU 71%
  • Saint Mary's College of California 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • SCU 85%
  • Saint Mary's College of California 61%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • SCU $81,900
  • Saint Mary's College of California $66,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • SCU 84%
  • Saint Mary's College of California 71%
  • Median student loan debt
  • SCU $21,500
  • Saint Mary's College of California $25,000
  • Median loan payment
  • SCU $222
  • Saint Mary's College of California $258
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • SCU 11:1
  • Saint Mary's College of California 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • SCU
    • Business (33%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Saint Mary's College of California
    • Business (30%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
  • Location
  • SCU Santa Clara, CA
  • Saint Mary's College of California Moraga, CA
  • Setting
  • SCU Midsize City
  • Saint Mary's College of California Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • SCU 9,728
  • Saint Mary's College of California 2,734
  • Type
  • SCU Private 4 Year
  • Saint Mary's College of California Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • SCU #61
  • Saint Mary's College of California #281

Comparable Facts

Compare Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, CA with Saint Mary's College of California in Moraga, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Santa Clara University is larger than Saint Mary's College of California based on total student enrollment (9,728 students vs. 2,734 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Santa Clara University is located in Santa Clara, CA (Midsize City setting); Saint Mary's College of California is in Moraga, CA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Santa Clara University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Mary's College of California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Santa Clara University 11:1; Saint Mary's College of California 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Mary's College of California are 11.5% lower than at Santa Clara University ($17,600 vs. $19,893).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 6% higher at SCU than at Saint Mary's College of California (about $3,490 more per year; $61,293 vs. $57,803).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's College of California than at Santa Clara University (100% vs. 71%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's College of California students is 49.5% larger than aid received by Santa Clara University students ($42,407 vs. $28,368).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 8 points higher at SCU than at Saint Mary's College of California (32 vs. 24, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at SCU, test-free at Saint Mary's College of California.
  • Typical fall application deadline: SCU Jan 7, 2027; Saint Mary's College of California Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at SCU average a 3.67 high school GPA, 0.07 higher than at Saint Mary's College of California (3.6).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at SCU vs. 9.5% at Saint Mary's College of California.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Santa Clara University graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Saint Mary's College of California graduates ($21,500 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, SCU graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saint Mary's College of California graduates ($222 vs. $258).
  • More SCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saint Mary's College of California students, three years after graduation (84% vs. 71%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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