Benedictine University vs. St. Mary's College

Comparable Facts

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

Benedictine University is larger than St. Mary's College based on total student enrollment (2,917 students vs. 1,601 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Benedictine University is located in Lisle, IL (Large Suburban setting); Saint Mary's College is in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting).
• Benedictine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Mary's College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Benedictine University 15:1; Saint Mary's College 9:1.

Benedictine University vs. St. Mary's College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Benedictine University or St. Mary's 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 Benedictine University than St. Mary's College ($23,139 vs. $27,865).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Benedictine University are 23.9% lower than at Saint Mary's College ($10,850 vs. $14,260).
• Saint Mary's College is 48.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Benedictine University (about $17,290 more per year; $53,230.00 vs. $35,940.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.1% higher at St. Mary's College than at Benedictine University (about $17,290 more per year; $53,230.00 vs. $35,940.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's College than at Benedictine University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's College students is 69.1% larger than aid received by Benedictine University students ($38,748 vs. $22,911).

Benedictine University vs. St. Mary's College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Mary's College (1230) is 60 points higher than at Benedictine University (1170).
• Incoming St. Mary's College students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 23 at Benedictine University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Benedictine University 1050/1280; Saint Mary's College 1130/1325.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Benedictine University 19/28; Saint Mary's College 26/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Benedictine University - Test optional; St. Mary's College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman St. Mary's College students have a 0.57 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Benedictine University (3.26).
• Benedictine University has a higher acceptance rate (95.2%) than St. Mary's College (76%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at Benedictine University vs. 20.1% at St. Mary's College.

Benedictine University vs. St. Mary's College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Benedictine University and St. Mary's 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's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than Benedictine University's (49%).
• Graduates from Benedictine University earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than St. Mary's College graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,800 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Benedictine University graduates have a $4,700 lower median loan debt than St. Mary's College graduates ($22,300 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Benedictine University graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Mary's College graduates ($230 vs. $279).
• More St. Mary's College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Benedictine University students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 56%)

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.