Saint Mary's College of California vs. McKendree University

Comparable Facts

Compare Saint Mary's College of California in Moraga, CA with McKendree University in Lebanon, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Saint Mary's College of California is larger than McKendree University based on total student enrollment (2,734 students vs. 2,392 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Saint Mary's College of California is located in Moraga, CA (Large Suburban setting); McKendree University is in Lebanon, IL (Large Suburban setting).
• Saint Mary's College of California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. McKendree University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Saint Mary's College of California 10:1; McKendree University 16:1.

Saint Mary's College of California vs. McKendree University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Saint Mary's College of California or McKendree 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 McKendree University than Saint Mary's College of California ($22,444 vs. $35,332).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McKendree University are 27.6% lower than at Saint Mary's College of California ($12,742 vs. $17,600).
• Saint Mary's College of California is 66.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than McKendree University (about $23,063 more per year; $57,803.00 vs. $34,740.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 66.4% higher at Saint Mary's College of California than at McKendree University (about $23,063 more per year; $57,803.00 vs. $34,740.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's College of California than at McKendree University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's College of California students is 62.5% larger than aid received by McKendree University students ($42,407 vs. $26,102).

Saint Mary's College of California vs. McKendree University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Saint Mary's College of California or McKendree 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 McKendree University and Saint Mary's College of California.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Mary's College of California (1160) is 90 points higher than at McKendree University (1070).
• Incoming Saint Mary's College of California students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at McKendree University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College of California 1070/1253; McKendree University 871/1277.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College of California 21/28; McKendree University 18/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Saint Mary's College of California - Test-free; McKendree University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Saint Mary's College of California Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Saint Mary's College of California students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at McKendree University (3.38).
• Saint Mary's College of California has a higher acceptance rate (86.5%) than McKendree University (71.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Saint Mary's College of California vs. 18.8% at McKendree University.

Saint Mary's College of California vs. McKendree University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Saint Mary's College of California and McKendree 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).

• Saint Mary's College of California's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than McKendree University's (54%).
• Graduates from Saint Mary's College of California earn a median of about $18,500 more per year than McKendree University graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,800 vs. $48,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, McKendree University graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than Saint Mary's College of California graduates ($23,250 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, McKendree University graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saint Mary's College of California graduates ($240 vs. $258).
• More Saint Mary's College of California graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McKendree University students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 58%)

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.