St. Mary's College vs. Canisius

Comparable Facts

Compare Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, IN with Canisius University in Buffalo, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Canisius University is larger than St. Mary's College based on total student enrollment (2,451 students vs. 1,601 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Saint Mary's College is located in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting); Canisius University is in Buffalo, NY (Large City setting).
• Saint Mary's College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Canisius University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Saint Mary's College 9:1; Canisius University 11:1.

St. Mary's College vs. Canisius Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St. Mary's College or Canisius? 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 Canisius University than St. Mary's College ($19,666 vs. $27,865).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Canisius University are 4.9% lower than at Saint Mary's College ($13,560 vs. $14,260).
• Saint Mary's College is 54.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Canisius (about $18,730 more per year; $53,230.00 vs. $34,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.3% higher at St. Mary's College than at Canisius University (about $18,730 more per year; $53,230.00 vs. $34,500.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's College as at Canisius University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's College students is 55.2% larger than aid received by Canisius University students ($38,748 vs. $24,972).

St. Mary's College vs. Canisius Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, St. Mary's College or Canisius? 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 Canisius and St. Mary's College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Mary's College (1230) is 40 points higher than at Canisius (1190).
• Incoming St. Mary's College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at Canisius).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College 1130/1325; Canisius University 1050/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College 26/30; Canisius University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St. Mary's College - Test optional; Canisius - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman St. Mary's College students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Canisius (3.7).
• St. Mary's College has a higher acceptance rate (76%) than Canisius (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at St. Mary's College vs. 13.1% at Canisius.

St. Mary's College vs. Canisius Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St. Mary's College and Canisius? 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's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than Canisius University's (67%).
• Graduates from Saint Mary's College earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than Canisius graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,100 vs. $49,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Canisius University graduates have a $2,250 lower median loan debt than St. Mary's College graduates ($24,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Canisius graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Mary's College graduates ($255 vs. $279).
• More St. Mary's College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Canisius students, three years after graduation. (85% 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.