IU South Bend vs. St. Mary's College

Comparable Facts

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

Indiana University South Bend is larger than St. Mary's College based on total student enrollment (4,631 students vs. 1,601 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana University South Bend is located in South Bend, IN (Midsize City setting); Saint Mary's College is in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting).
• Indiana University South Bend is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Mary's College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Indiana University South Bend 15:1; Saint Mary's College 9:1.

IU South Bend vs. St. Mary's College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IU South Bend 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 Indiana University South Bend than St. Mary's College ($9,003 vs. $27,865).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University South Bend are 28.6% lower than at Saint Mary's College ($10,184 vs. $14,260).
• Saint Mary's College is 531.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU South Bend (about $44,806 more per year; $53,230.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 133.4% higher at St. Mary's College than at Indiana University South Bend (about $30,419 more per year; $53,230.00 vs. $22,811.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's College than at Indiana University South Bend (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's College students is 362.9% larger than aid received by Indiana University South Bend students ($38,748 vs. $8,371).

IU South Bend vs. St. Mary's College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IU South Bend 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 IU South Bend.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Mary's College (1230) is 160 points higher than at IU South Bend (1070).
• Incoming St. Mary's College students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 22 at IU South Bend).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University South Bend 950/1190; Saint Mary's College 1130/1325.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University South Bend 21/23; Saint Mary's College 26/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IU South Bend - Test optional; St. Mary's College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman St. Mary's College students have a 0.59 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at IU South Bend (3.24).
• IU South Bend has a higher acceptance rate (83.8%) than St. Mary's College (76%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39% at IU South Bend vs. 20.1% at St. Mary's College.

IU South Bend vs. St. Mary's College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IU South Bend 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 Indiana University South Bend's (22%).
• Graduates from Saint Mary's College earn a median of about $14,000 more per year than IU South Bend graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,100 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University South Bend graduates have a $2,470 lower median loan debt than St. Mary's College graduates ($24,530 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, IU South Bend graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Mary's College graduates ($253 vs. $279).
• More St. Mary's College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU South Bend students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 47%)

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.