Bradley vs. St. Mary's College

Comparable Facts

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

Bradley University is larger than St. Mary's College based on total student enrollment (4,777 students vs. 1,601 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bradley University is located in Peoria, IL (Midsize City setting); Saint Mary's College is in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting).
• Bradley 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: Bradley University 11:1; Saint Mary's College 9:1.

Bradley vs. St. Mary's College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bradley 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 Bradley University than St. Mary's College ($23,787 vs. $27,865).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bradley University are 5.3% lower than at Saint Mary's College ($13,500 vs. $14,260).
• Saint Mary's College is 26.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bradley (about $11,070 more per year; $53,230.00 vs. $42,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.3% higher at St. Mary's College than at Bradley University (about $11,070 more per year; $53,230.00 vs. $42,160.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Bradley University as at Saint Mary's College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's College students is 25.8% larger than aid received by Bradley University students ($38,748 vs. $30,808).

Bradley vs. St. Mary's College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bradley 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 Bradley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Mary's College (1230) is 30 points higher than at Bradley (1200).
• Incoming Bradley students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 28) as students at St. Mary's College (28).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bradley University 1090/1300; Saint Mary's College 1130/1325.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bradley University 25/31; Saint Mary's College 26/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bradley - Test-free; St. Mary's College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Bradley students have the same average high school GPA (3.83) as students at St. Mary's College (3.83).
• Bradley has a higher acceptance rate (76.8%) than St. Mary's College (76%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.2% at Bradley vs. 20.1% at St. Mary's College.

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

How do outcomes compare for Bradley 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 Bradley University's (75%).
• Graduates from Bradley University earn a median of about $5,700 more per year than St. Mary's College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,800 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Saint Mary's College and Bradley graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Saint Mary's College and Bradley graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More St. Mary's College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bradley students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 75%)

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.