La Sierra University vs. Mount Saint Mary's University

Comparable Facts

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

Mount Saint Mary's University is larger than La Sierra University based on total student enrollment (2,312 students vs. 1,574 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• La Sierra University is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); Mount Saint Mary's University is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• La Sierra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mount Saint Mary's University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: La Sierra University 12:1; Mount Saint Mary's University 8:1.

La Sierra University vs. Mount Saint Mary's University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, La Sierra University 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 La Sierra University than Mount Saint Mary's University ($23,848 vs. $27,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at La Sierra University are 13.4% lower than at Mount Saint Mary's University ($13,431 vs. $15,518).
• Mount Saint Mary's University is 31.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than La Sierra University (about $11,854 more per year; $49,564.00 vs. $37,710.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.4% higher at Mount Saint Mary's University than at La Sierra University (about $11,854 more per year; $49,564.00 vs. $37,710.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Saint Mary's University than at La Sierra University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Saint Mary's University students is 41.9% larger than aid received by La Sierra University students ($39,218 vs. $27,646).

La Sierra University vs. Mount Saint Mary's University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, La Sierra University 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 La Sierra University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at La Sierra University (1010) is the same as at Mount Saint Mary's University (1010).
• Incoming La Sierra University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Mount Saint Mary's University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: La Sierra University 880/1140; Mount Saint Mary's University 900/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: La Sierra University 18/28; Mount Saint Mary's University 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: La Sierra University - Test-free; Mount Saint Mary's University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Mount Saint Mary's University students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at La Sierra University (3.54).
• La Sierra University has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than Mount Saint Mary's University (73.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.3% at La Sierra University vs. 12% at Mount Saint Mary's University.

La Sierra University vs. Mount Saint Mary's University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for La Sierra University 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 La Sierra University's (32%).
• Graduates from Mount Saint Mary's University earn a median of about $7,100 more per year than La Sierra University graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $51,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Saint Mary's University graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than La Sierra University graduates ($25,000 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, Mount Saint Mary's University graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Sierra University graduates ($258 vs. $310).
• More Mount Saint Mary's University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former La Sierra University students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 52%)

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.