Sacramento State vs. Mount Saint Mary's University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Sacramento in Sacramento, 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 Sacramento is larger than Mount Saint Mary's University based on total student enrollment (31,943 students vs. 2,312 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Sacramento is located in Sacramento, CA (Large City setting); Mount Saint Mary's University is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Sacramento 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 Sacramento 24:1; Mount Saint Mary's University 8:1.

Sacramento State vs. Mount Saint Mary's University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sacramento State 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 Sacramento than Mount Saint Mary's University ($10,110 vs. $27,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount Saint Mary's University are 19.1% lower than at California State University Sacramento ($15,518 vs. $19,174).
• Mount Saint Mary's University is 518.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sacramento State (about $41,546 more per year; $49,564.00 vs. $8,018.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 140.4% higher at Mount Saint Mary's University than at California State University Sacramento (about $28,946 more per year; $49,564.00 vs. $20,618.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Saint Mary's University than at California State University Sacramento (100% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Saint Mary's University students is 207.2% larger than aid received by California State University Sacramento students ($39,218 vs. $12,767).

Sacramento State vs. Mount Saint Mary's University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Sacramento State 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 Sacramento State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Sacramento (1030) is 20 points higher than at Mount Saint Mary's University (1010).
• Incoming Sacramento State students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 20) as students at Mount Saint Mary's University (20).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Sacramento 930/1130; Mount Saint Mary's University 900/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Sacramento 17/23; Mount Saint Mary's University 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Sacramento State - Test-free; Mount Saint Mary's University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Sacramento State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Mount Saint Mary's University students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Sacramento State (3.42).
• Sacramento State has a higher acceptance rate (94%) than Mount Saint Mary's University (73.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at Sacramento State vs. 12% at Mount Saint Mary's University.

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

How do outcomes compare for Sacramento State 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 Sacramento's (42%).
• Graduates from Mount Saint Mary's University earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than Sacramento State graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $51,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Sacramento graduates have a $9,250 lower median loan debt than Mount Saint Mary's University graduates ($15,750 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Sacramento State graduates have an estimated $96 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mount Saint Mary's University graduates ($162 vs. $258).
• More Sacramento State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mount Saint Mary's University students, three years after graduation. (64% 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.