North Central College vs. St. Mary's University

Comparable Facts

Compare North Central College in Naperville, IL with St. Mary's University in San Antonio, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

St. Mary's University is larger than North Central College based on total student enrollment (3,456 students vs. 3,003 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Central College is located in Naperville, IL (Midsize City setting); St. Mary's University is in San Antonio, TX (Large City setting).
• North Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St. Mary's University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: North Central College 12:1; St. Mary's University 11:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, North Central College or St. 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 St. Mary's University than North Central College ($20,412 vs. $23,276).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St. Mary's University are 12.2% lower than at North Central College ($12,894 vs. $14,688).
• North Central College is 22.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than St. Mary's University (about $8,292 more per year; $45,726.00 vs. $37,434.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.2% higher at North Central College than at St. Mary's University (about $8,292 more per year; $45,726.00 vs. $37,434.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at North Central College as at St. Mary's University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Central College students is 24% larger than aid received by St. Mary's University students ($34,056 vs. $27,464).

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

Which college is harder to get into, North Central College or St. 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 St. Mary's University and North Central College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Central College (1180) is 70 points higher than at St. Mary's University (1110).
• Incoming North Central College students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 21 at St. Mary's University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Central College 1055/1310; St. Mary's University 900/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Central College 24/29; St. Mary's University 15/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: North Central College - Test optional; St. Mary's University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: North Central College Apr 15, 2027; St. Mary's University Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman St. Mary's University students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at North Central College (3.6).
• St. Mary's University has a higher acceptance rate (97.8%) than North Central College (77.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at North Central College vs. 12.6% at St. Mary's University.

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

How do outcomes compare for North Central College and St. 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).

• North Central College's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than St. Mary's University's (58%).
• Graduates from St. Mary's University earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than North Central College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,000 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 University 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 University graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More North Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St. Mary's University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 59%)

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.