Cal State LA vs. Mount Saint Mary's University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Los Angeles in Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles is larger than Mount Saint Mary's University based on total student enrollment (23,163 students vs. 2,312 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Mount Saint Mary's University is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles 21:1; Mount Saint Mary's University 8:1.

Cal State LA vs. Mount Saint Mary's University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State LA 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 Los Angeles than Mount Saint Mary's University ($4,460 vs. $27,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount Saint Mary's University are 21.2% lower than at California State University Los Angeles ($15,518 vs. $19,696).
• Mount Saint Mary's University is 592.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State LA (about $42,404 more per year; $49,564.00 vs. $7,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 150.8% higher at Mount Saint Mary's University than at California State University Los Angeles (about $29,804 more per year; $49,564.00 vs. $19,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Saint Mary's University than at California State University Los Angeles (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Saint Mary's University students is 183.7% larger than aid received by California State University Los Angeles students ($39,218 vs. $13,824).

Cal State LA vs. Mount Saint Mary's University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State LA 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 Cal State LA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mount Saint Mary's University (1010) is 40 points higher than at Cal State LA (970).
• Incoming Mount Saint Mary's University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 17 at Cal State LA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Los Angeles 870/1060; Mount Saint Mary's University 900/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Los Angeles 15/20; Mount Saint Mary's University 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State LA - Test-free; Mount Saint Mary's University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State LA Jan 19, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mount Saint Mary's University students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Cal State LA (3.31).
• Cal State LA has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than Mount Saint Mary's University (73.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.4% at Cal State LA vs. 12% at Mount Saint Mary's University.

Cal State LA vs. Mount Saint Mary's University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State LA 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).

• Mount Saint Mary's University's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than California State University Los Angeles's (36%).
• Graduates from Mount Saint Mary's University earn a median of about $12,100 more per year than Cal State LA graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $46,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Los Angeles graduates have a $12,080 lower median loan debt than Mount Saint Mary's University graduates ($12,920 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Cal State LA graduates have an estimated $125 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mount Saint Mary's University graduates ($133 vs. $258).
• More Mount Saint Mary's University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State LA students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 57%)

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.