St. Mary's College vs. Marquette University

Comparable Facts

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

Marquette University is larger than St. Mary's College based on total student enrollment (11,746 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); Marquette University is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Saint Mary's College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Marquette University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Saint Mary's College 9:1; Marquette University 14:1.

St. Mary's College vs. Marquette University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St. Mary's College or Marquette University? 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 Saint Mary's College than Marquette University ($27,865 vs. $34,322).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Mary's College are 13.5% lower than at Marquette University ($14,260 vs. $16,490).
• Saint Mary's College is 4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Marquette University (about $2,060 more per year; $53,230.00 vs. $51,170.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4% higher at St. Mary's College than at Marquette University (about $2,060 more per year; $53,230.00 vs. $51,170.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's College as at Marquette University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's College students is 17.4% larger than aid received by Marquette University students ($38,748 vs. $32,996).

St. Mary's College vs. Marquette University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Marquette University (1280) is 50 points higher than at St. Mary's College (1230).
• Incoming St. Mary's College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 28) as students at Marquette University (28).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College 1130/1325; Marquette University 1200/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College 26/30; Marquette University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St. Mary's College - Test optional; Marquette University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Marquette University Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman St. Mary's College students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Marquette University (3.56).
• Marquette University has a higher acceptance rate (81.3%) than St. Mary's College (76%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at St. Mary's College vs. 14.1% at Marquette University.

St. Mary's College vs. Marquette University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St. Mary's College and Marquette University? 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).

• Marquette University's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Saint Mary's College's (79%).
• Graduates from Marquette University earn a median of about $16,400 more per year than St. Mary's College graduates about ten years after starting college ($67,500 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Marquette University and St. Mary's College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Marquette University and St. Mary's College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More St. Mary's College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Marquette University students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 81%)

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.