Mount St. Mary's University vs. DeSales University

Comparable Facts

Compare Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, MD with DeSales University in Center Valley, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

DeSales University is larger than Mount St. Mary's University based on total student enrollment (2,972 students vs. 2,408 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount St. Mary's University is located in Emmitsburg, MD (Rural Fringe setting); DeSales University is in Center Valley, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Mount St. Mary's University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. DeSales University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mount St. Mary's University 13:1; DeSales University 12:1.

Mount St. Mary's University vs. DeSales University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mount St. Mary's University or DeSales 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 Mount St. Mary's University than DeSales University ($23,027 vs. $31,732).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at DeSales University are 8.3% lower than at Mount St. Mary's University ($13,800 vs. $15,050).
• Mount St. Mary's University is 3.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than DeSales University (about $1,830 more per year; $48,630.00 vs. $46,800.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.9% higher at Mount St. Mary's University than at DeSales University (about $1,830 more per year; $48,630.00 vs. $46,800.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Mount St. Mary's University as at DeSales University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount St. Mary's University students is 31.4% larger than aid received by DeSales University students ($40,619 vs. $30,909).

Mount St. Mary's University vs. DeSales University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mount St. Mary's University or DeSales 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 DeSales University and Mount St. Mary's University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at DeSales University (1180) is 20 points higher than at Mount St. Mary's University (1160).
• Incoming DeSales University students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at Mount St. Mary's University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount St. Mary's University 1046/1280; DeSales University 1090/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount St. Mary's University 19/27; DeSales University 27/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mount St. Mary's University - Test optional; DeSales University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mount St. Mary's University Mar 1, 2027; DeSales University Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman DeSales University students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Mount St. Mary's University (3.36).
• DeSales University has a higher acceptance rate (77.1%) than Mount St. Mary's University (73.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at Mount St. Mary's University vs. 16.7% at DeSales University.

Mount St. Mary's University vs. DeSales University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mount St. Mary's University and DeSales 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 St. Mary's University's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than DeSales University's (69%).
• Graduates from Mount St. Mary's University earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than DeSales University graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,100 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, DeSales University and Mount St. Mary's University graduates have the same median loan debt ($26,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, DeSales University and Mount St. Mary's University graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($268 vs. $268).
• More Mount St. Mary's University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DeSales University students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 71%)

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.