Saint Mary's College of California vs. SCI-Arc

Comparable Facts

Compare Saint Mary's College of California in Moraga, CA with Southern California Institute of Architecture in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Saint Mary's College of California is larger than SCI-Arc based on total student enrollment (2,734 students vs. 418 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Saint Mary's College of California is located in Moraga, CA (Large Suburban setting); Southern California Institute of Architecture is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• Saint Mary's College of California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern California Institute of Architecture is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Saint Mary's College of California 10:1; Southern California Institute of Architecture 9:1.

Saint Mary's College of California vs. SCI-Arc Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Saint Mary's College of California or SCI-Arc? 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 Southern California Institute of Architecture than Saint Mary's College of California ($28,985 vs. $35,332).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern California Institute of Architecture are 22.7% lower than at Saint Mary's College of California ($13,600 vs. $17,600).
• Saint Mary's College of California is 2.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than SCI-Arc (about $1,641 more per year; $57,803.00 vs. $56,162.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.9% higher at Saint Mary's College of California than at Southern California Institute of Architecture (about $1,641 more per year; $57,803.00 vs. $56,162.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's College of California than at Southern California Institute of Architecture (100% vs. 26%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern California Institute of Architecture students is 0.5% larger than aid received by Saint Mary's College of California students ($42,627 vs. $42,407).

Saint Mary's College of California vs. SCI-Arc Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Mary's College of California (1160) is 30 points higher than at SCI-Arc (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College of California 1070/1253; Southern California Institute of Architecture 1020/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College of California 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Saint Mary's College of California - Test-free; SCI-Arc - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Saint Mary's College of California Jan 15, 2027; SCI-Arc Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Saint Mary's College of California students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at SCI-Arc (3.5).
• Saint Mary's College of California has a higher acceptance rate (86.5%) than SCI-Arc (76.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Saint Mary's College of California vs. 7% at SCI-Arc.

Saint Mary's College of California vs. SCI-Arc Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Saint Mary's College of California and SCI-Arc? 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 Southern California Institute of Architecture's (58%).
• Graduates from Saint Mary's College of California earn a median of about $20,400 more per year than SCI-Arc graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,800 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Saint Mary's College of California graduates have a $17,750 lower median loan debt than SCI-Arc graduates ($25,000 vs. $42,750).
• Among borrowers, Saint Mary's College of California graduates have an estimated $184 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCI-Arc graduates ($258 vs. $442).
• More Saint Mary's College of California graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCI-Arc students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 62%)

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.