Saint Mary's College of California vs. University of Nevada-Reno

Comparable Facts

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

University of Nevada Reno is larger than Saint Mary's College of California based on total student enrollment (23,024 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); University of Nevada Reno is in Reno, NV (Midsize City setting).
• Saint Mary's College of California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Nevada Reno is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Saint Mary's College of California 10:1; University of Nevada Reno 17:1.

Saint Mary's College of California vs. University of Nevada-Reno Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Saint Mary's College of California or University of Nevada-Reno? 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 University of Nevada Reno than Saint Mary's College of California ($17,226 vs. $35,332).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Nevada Reno are 17.6% lower than at Saint Mary's College of California ($14,496 vs. $17,600).
• Saint Mary's College of California is 503.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Nevada-Reno (about $48,225 more per year; $57,803.00 vs. $9,578.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 108.5% higher at Saint Mary's College of California than at University of Nevada Reno (about $30,083 more per year; $57,803.00 vs. $27,720.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's College of California than at University of Nevada Reno (100% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's College of California students is 475% larger than aid received by University of Nevada Reno students ($42,407 vs. $7,375).

Saint Mary's College of California vs. University of Nevada-Reno Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Nevada Reno (1180) is 20 points higher than at Saint Mary's College of California (1160).
• Incoming Saint Mary's College of California students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at University of Nevada-Reno).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College of California 1070/1253; University of Nevada Reno 1060/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College of California 21/28; University of Nevada Reno 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Saint Mary's College of California - Test-free; University of Nevada-Reno - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Saint Mary's College of California Jan 15, 2027; University of Nevada-Reno Apr 7, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Saint Mary's College of California students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at University of Nevada-Reno (3.4).
• Saint Mary's College of California has a higher acceptance rate (86.5%) than University of Nevada-Reno (73.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Saint Mary's College of California vs. 26.5% at University of Nevada-Reno.

Saint Mary's College of California vs. University of Nevada-Reno Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Saint Mary's College of California and University of Nevada-Reno? 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 University of Nevada Reno's (51%).
• Graduates from Saint Mary's College of California earn a median of about $13,400 more per year than University of Nevada-Reno graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,800 vs. $53,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Nevada Reno graduates have a $6,199 lower median loan debt than Saint Mary's College of California graduates ($18,801 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Nevada-Reno graduates have an estimated $64 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saint Mary's College of California graduates ($194 vs. $258).
• More Saint Mary's College of California graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Nevada-Reno students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 64%)

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.