Saint Mary's College of California vs. PLU

Comparable Facts

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

Pacific Lutheran University is larger than Saint Mary's College of California based on total student enrollment (2,797 students vs. 2,734 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Saint Mary's College of California is located in Moraga, CA (Large Suburban setting); Pacific Lutheran University is in Tacoma, WA (Large Suburban setting).
• Saint Mary's College of California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Pacific Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Saint Mary's College of California 10:1; Pacific Lutheran University 12:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, Saint Mary's College of California or PLU? 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 Pacific Lutheran University than Saint Mary's College of California ($22,299 vs. $35,332).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 26.1% lower than at Saint Mary's College of California ($13,008 vs. $17,600).
• Saint Mary's College of California is 10.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than PLU (about $5,549 more per year; $57,803.00 vs. $52,254.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.6% higher at Saint Mary's College of California than at Pacific Lutheran University (about $5,549 more per year; $57,803.00 vs. $52,254.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's College of California than at Pacific Lutheran University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's College of California students is 4.5% larger than aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students ($42,407 vs. $40,573).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Mary's College of California (1160) is 10 points higher than at PLU (1150).
• Incoming PLU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at Saint Mary's College of California).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College of California 1070/1253; Pacific Lutheran University 1040/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College of California 21/28; Pacific Lutheran University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Saint Mary's College of California - Test-free; PLU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Saint Mary's College of California Jan 15, 2027; PLU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Saint Mary's College of California (3.6).
• Saint Mary's College of California has a higher acceptance rate (86.5%) than PLU (78%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Saint Mary's College of California vs. 14.1% at PLU.

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

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

• Pacific Lutheran University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Saint Mary's College of California's (61%).
• Graduates from Saint Mary's College of California earn a median of about $14,500 more per year than PLU graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,800 vs. $52,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Saint Mary's College of California graduates have a $800 lower median loan debt than PLU graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,800).
• Among borrowers, Saint Mary's College of California graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PLU graduates ($258 vs. $266).
• More PLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saint Mary's College of California students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 71%)

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.