California State University-Fresno vs. Mount Saint Mary's University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Fresno in Fresno, CA with Mount Saint Mary's University in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Fresno is larger than Mount Saint Mary's University based on total student enrollment (24,427 students vs. 2,312 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fresno is located in Fresno, CA (Large City setting); Mount Saint Mary's University is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Fresno is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mount Saint Mary's University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Fresno 22:1; Mount Saint Mary's University 8:1.

California State University-Fresno vs. Mount Saint Mary's University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State University-Fresno or Mount Saint Mary's University? 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 California State University Fresno than Mount Saint Mary's University ($7,834 vs. $27,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Fresno are 22.9% lower than at Mount Saint Mary's University ($11,960 vs. $15,518).
• Mount Saint Mary's University is 574.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-Fresno (about $42,214 more per year; $49,564.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 148.4% higher at Mount Saint Mary's University than at California State University Fresno (about $29,614 more per year; $49,564.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Saint Mary's University than at California State University Fresno (100% vs. 85%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Saint Mary's University students is 218.2% larger than aid received by California State University Fresno students ($39,218 vs. $12,326).

California State University-Fresno vs. Mount Saint Mary's University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California State University-Fresno or Mount Saint Mary's University? 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 Mount Saint Mary's University and California State University-Fresno.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mount Saint Mary's University (1010) is 10 points higher than at California State University-Fresno (1000).
• Incoming Mount Saint Mary's University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 18 at California State University-Fresno).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fresno 890/1100; Mount Saint Mary's University 900/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fresno 16/21; Mount Saint Mary's University 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State University-Fresno - Test-free; Mount Saint Mary's University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-Fresno Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Mount Saint Mary's University students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at California State University-Fresno (3.12).
• California State University-Fresno has a higher acceptance rate (95.3%) than Mount Saint Mary's University (73.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.5% at California State University-Fresno vs. 12% at Mount Saint Mary's University.

California State University-Fresno vs. Mount Saint Mary's University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State University-Fresno and Mount Saint Mary's University? 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).

• California State University Fresno's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Mount Saint Mary's University's (47%).
• Graduates from Mount Saint Mary's University earn a median of about $12,500 more per year than California State University-Fresno graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fresno graduates have a $10,000 lower median loan debt than Mount Saint Mary's University graduates ($15,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, California State University-Fresno graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mount Saint Mary's University graduates ($155 vs. $258).
• More California State University-Fresno graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mount Saint Mary's University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 59%)

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.