Mount St. Mary's University vs. Houghton University

Comparable Facts

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

Mount St. Mary's University is larger than Houghton University based on total student enrollment (2,408 students vs. 1,200 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

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

Which college is more expensive, Mount St. Mary's University or Houghton 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 Houghton University than Mount St. Mary's University ($21,274 vs. $23,027).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Houghton University are 24.5% lower than at Mount St. Mary's University ($11,360 vs. $15,050).
• Mount St. Mary's University is 163.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Houghton University (about $30,200 more per year; $48,630.00 vs. $18,430.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 163.9% higher at Mount St. Mary's University than at Houghton University (about $30,200 more per year; $48,630.00 vs. $18,430.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Mount St. Mary's University as at Houghton University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount St. Mary's University students is 310.2% larger than aid received by Houghton University students ($40,619 vs. $9,902).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Houghton University (1270) is 110 points higher than at Mount St. Mary's University (1160).
• Incoming Houghton University students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 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; Houghton University 1170/1375.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount St. Mary's University 19/27; Houghton University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mount St. Mary's University - Test optional; Houghton University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mount St. Mary's University Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mount St. Mary's University students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Houghton University (3.25).
• Houghton University has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) 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. 23.2% at Houghton University.

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

How do outcomes compare for Mount St. Mary's University and Houghton 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 Houghton University's (68%).
• Graduates from Mount St. Mary's University earn a median of about $11,800 more per year than Houghton University graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,100 vs. $44,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Houghton University graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Mount St. Mary's University graduates ($25,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Houghton University graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mount St. Mary's University graduates ($263 vs. $268).
• More Mount St. Mary's University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Houghton University students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 77%)

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.