Mount Saint Mary's University vs. Ferrum College

Comparable Facts

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

Mount Saint Mary's University is larger than Ferrum College based on total student enrollment (2,312 students vs. 763 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount Saint Mary's University is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Ferrum College is in Ferrum, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• Mount Saint Mary's University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ferrum College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mount Saint Mary's University 8:1; Ferrum College 11:1.

Mount Saint Mary's University vs. Ferrum College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mount Saint Mary's University or Ferrum 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 Ferrum College than Mount Saint Mary's University ($20,082 vs. $27,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ferrum College are 14.7% lower than at Mount Saint Mary's University ($13,230 vs. $15,518).
• Mount Saint Mary's University is 73.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ferrum College (about $21,044 more per year; $49,564.00 vs. $28,520.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 73.8% higher at Mount Saint Mary's University than at Ferrum College (about $21,044 more per year; $49,564.00 vs. $28,520.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Saint Mary's University than at Ferrum College (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Saint Mary's University students is 13.9% larger than aid received by Ferrum College students ($39,218 vs. $34,444).

Mount Saint Mary's University vs. Ferrum College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mount Saint Mary's University or Ferrum 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 Ferrum College and Mount Saint Mary's University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mount Saint Mary's University (1010) is 20 points higher than at Ferrum College (990).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Saint Mary's University 900/1110; Ferrum College 880/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Saint Mary's University 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mount Saint Mary's University - Test-free; Ferrum College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Ferrum College Sep 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Mount Saint Mary's University students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Ferrum College (3.14).
• Ferrum College has a higher acceptance rate (89%) than Mount Saint Mary's University (73.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12% at Mount Saint Mary's University vs. 11.5% at Ferrum College.

Mount Saint Mary's University vs. Ferrum College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mount Saint Mary's University and Ferrum 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).

• Mount Saint Mary's University's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than Ferrum College's (31%).
• Graduates from Mount Saint Mary's University earn a median of about $20,000 more per year than Ferrum College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Saint Mary's University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Ferrum College graduates ($25,000 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Mount Saint Mary's University graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ferrum College graduates ($258 vs. $289).
• More Mount Saint Mary's University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ferrum College students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 49%)

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.