North Central College vs. St. Mary's College

Comparable Facts

Compare North Central College in Naperville, IL with Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Central College is larger than St. Mary's College based on total student enrollment (3,003 students vs. 1,601 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Central College is located in Naperville, IL (Midsize City setting); Saint Mary's College is in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting).
• North Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Mary's College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: North Central College 12:1; Saint Mary's College 9:1.

North Central College vs. St. Mary's College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, North Central College 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 North Central College than St. Mary's College ($23,276 vs. $27,865).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Mary's College are 2.9% lower than at North Central College ($14,260 vs. $14,688).
• Saint Mary's College is 16.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than North Central College (about $7,504 more per year; $53,230.00 vs. $45,726.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.4% higher at St. Mary's College than at North Central College (about $7,504 more per year; $53,230.00 vs. $45,726.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at North Central College as at Saint Mary's College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's College students is 13.8% larger than aid received by North Central College students ($38,748 vs. $34,056).

North Central College vs. St. Mary's College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, North Central College 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 North Central College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Mary's College (1230) is 50 points higher than at North Central College (1180).
• Incoming St. Mary's College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at North Central College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Central College 1055/1310; Saint Mary's College 1130/1325.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Central College 24/29; Saint Mary's College 26/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: North Central College - Test optional; St. Mary's College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: North Central College Apr 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman St. Mary's College students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at North Central College (3.6).
• North Central College has a higher acceptance rate (77.3%) than St. Mary's College (76%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at North Central College vs. 20.1% at St. Mary's College.

North Central College vs. St. Mary's College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for North Central College 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 North Central College's (64%).
• Graduates from Saint Mary's College earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than North Central College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,100 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, North Central College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than St. Mary's College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, North Central College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Mary's College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More St. Mary's College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former North Central College students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 74%)

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.