Gustavus Adolphus College vs. College of Saint Mary

Comparable Facts

Compare Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, MN with College of Saint Mary in Omaha, NE on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Gustavus Adolphus College is larger than College of Saint Mary based on total student enrollment (1,906 students vs. 786 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gustavus Adolphus College is located in Saint Peter, MN (Remote Town setting); College of Saint Mary is in Omaha, NE (Large City setting).
• Gustavus Adolphus College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Saint Mary is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gustavus Adolphus College 12:1; College of Saint Mary 8:1.

Gustavus Adolphus College vs. College of Saint Mary Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gustavus Adolphus College or College of Saint Mary? 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 College of Saint Mary than Gustavus Adolphus College ($17,078 vs. $26,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Saint Mary are 23% lower than at Gustavus Adolphus College ($9,084 vs. $11,804).
• Gustavus Adolphus College is 128.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than College of Saint Mary (about $31,566 more per year; $56,076.00 vs. $24,510.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 128.8% higher at Gustavus Adolphus College than at College of Saint Mary (about $31,566 more per year; $56,076.00 vs. $24,510.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Gustavus Adolphus College as at College of Saint Mary (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Gustavus Adolphus College students is 119.9% larger than aid received by College of Saint Mary students ($41,450 vs. $18,847).

Gustavus Adolphus College vs. College of Saint Mary Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Gustavus Adolphus College or College of Saint Mary? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between College of Saint Mary and Gustavus Adolphus College.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Gustavus Adolphus College - Test optional; College of Saint Mary - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Gustavus Adolphus College Apr 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Gustavus Adolphus College students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at College of Saint Mary (3.4).
• Gustavus Adolphus College has a higher acceptance rate (61%) than College of Saint Mary (44.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.2% at Gustavus Adolphus College vs. 35.3% at College of Saint Mary.

Gustavus Adolphus College vs. College of Saint Mary Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gustavus Adolphus College and College of Saint Mary? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Gustavus Adolphus College's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than College of Saint Mary's (30%).
• Graduates from Gustavus Adolphus College earn a median of about $15,000 more per year than College of Saint Mary graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $41,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Saint Mary graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Gustavus Adolphus College graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, College of Saint Mary graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Gustavus Adolphus College graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Gustavus Adolphus College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former College of Saint Mary students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.