Saint Mary's College of California vs. NNU

Comparable Facts

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

Saint Mary's College of California is larger than NNU based on total student enrollment (2,734 students vs. 1,635 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Saint Mary's College of California is located in Moraga, CA (Large Suburban setting); Northwest Nazarene University is in Nampa, ID (Small City setting).
• Saint Mary's College of California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwest Nazarene University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Saint Mary's College of California 10:1; Northwest Nazarene University 14:1.

Saint Mary's College of California vs. NNU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Saint Mary's College of California or NNU? 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 Northwest Nazarene University than Saint Mary's College of California ($30,178 vs. $35,332).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwest Nazarene University are 31.4% lower than at Saint Mary's College of California ($12,070 vs. $17,600).
• Saint Mary's College of California is 41.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than NNU (about $17,009 more per year; $57,803.00 vs. $40,794.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.7% higher at Saint Mary's College of California than at Northwest Nazarene University (about $17,009 more per year; $57,803.00 vs. $40,794.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's College of California than at Northwest Nazarene University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's College of California students is 68.6% larger than aid received by Northwest Nazarene University students ($42,407 vs. $25,146).

Saint Mary's College of California vs. NNU Admissions comparison

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

• Northwest Nazarene 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 NNU (1120).
• Incoming Saint Mary's College of California students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 24) as students at NNU (24).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College of California 1070/1253; Northwest Nazarene University 1005/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College of California 21/28; Northwest Nazarene University 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Saint Mary's College of California - Test-free; NNU - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Saint Mary's College of California Jan 15, 2027; NNU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Saint Mary's College of California students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at NNU (3.59).
• Saint Mary's College of California has a higher acceptance rate (86.5%) than NNU (64.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Saint Mary's College of California vs. 9.9% at NNU.

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

How do outcomes compare for Saint Mary's College of California and NNU? 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 Northwest Nazarene University's (52%).
• Graduates from Saint Mary's College of California earn a median of about $23,800 more per year than NNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,800 vs. $43,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Saint Mary's College of California graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than NNU graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Saint Mary's College of California graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NNU graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More Saint Mary's College of California graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NNU students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 66%)

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.