Saint Mary's College of California vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University

Comparable Facts

Compare Saint Mary's College of California in Moraga, CA with John Paul the Great Catholic University in Escondido, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Saint Mary's College of California is larger than John Paul the Great Catholic University based on total student enrollment (2,734 students vs. 286 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Saint Mary's College of California is located in Moraga, CA (Large Suburban setting); John Paul the Great Catholic University is in Escondido, CA (Large City setting).
• Saint Mary's College of California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. John Paul the Great Catholic University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Saint Mary's College of California 10:1; John Paul the Great Catholic University 15:1.

Saint Mary's College of California vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Saint Mary's College of California or John Paul the Great Catholic 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 John Paul the Great Catholic University than Saint Mary's College of California ($35,175 vs. $35,332).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at John Paul the Great Catholic University are 43.9% lower than at Saint Mary's College of California ($9,868 vs. $17,600).
• Saint Mary's College of California is 91% more expensive for in-state tuition than John Paul the Great Catholic University (about $27,538 more per year; $57,803.00 vs. $30,265.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 91% higher at Saint Mary's College of California than at John Paul the Great Catholic University (about $27,538 more per year; $57,803.00 vs. $30,265.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's College of California as at John Paul the Great Catholic University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's College of California students is 149.7% larger than aid received by John Paul the Great Catholic University students ($42,407 vs. $16,982).

Saint Mary's College of California vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Saint Mary's College of California or John Paul the Great Catholic 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 John Paul the Great Catholic University and Saint Mary's College of California.

• John Paul the Great Catholic University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Mary's College of California (1160) is 40 points higher than at John Paul the Great Catholic University (1120).
• Incoming Saint Mary's College of California students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 24) as students at John Paul the Great Catholic University (24).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College of California 1070/1253; John Paul the Great Catholic University 975/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College of California 21/28; John Paul the Great Catholic University 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Saint Mary's College of California - Test-free; John Paul the Great Catholic University - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Saint Mary's College of California Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Saint Mary's College of California students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at John Paul the Great Catholic University (3.56).
• Saint Mary's College of California has a higher acceptance rate (86.5%) than John Paul the Great Catholic University (79.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Saint Mary's College of California vs. 43% at John Paul the Great Catholic University.

Saint Mary's College of California vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Saint Mary's College of California and John Paul the Great Catholic 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).

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Saint Mary's College of California graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, Saint Mary's College of California graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates ($258 vs. $266).

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.