St. Mary's College vs. Saint Louis University

Comparable Facts

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

Saint Louis University is larger than St. Mary's College based on total student enrollment (17,059 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); Saint Louis University is in Saint Louis, MO (Large City setting).
• Saint Mary's College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Louis University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Saint Mary's College 9:1; Saint Louis University 9:1.

St. Mary's College vs. Saint Louis University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St. Mary's College or Saint Louis 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 Louis University than St. Mary's College ($27,749 vs. $27,865).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Mary's College are 6.7% lower than at Saint Louis University ($14,260 vs. $15,280).
• Saint Louis University is 4.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than St. Mary's College (about $2,530 more per year; $55,760.00 vs. $53,230.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.8% higher at Saint Louis University than at Saint Mary's College (about $2,530 more per year; $55,760.00 vs. $53,230.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's College as at Saint Louis University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Louis University students is 15.2% larger than aid received by Saint Mary's College students ($44,657 vs. $38,748).

St. Mary's College vs. Saint Louis University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Louis University (1310) is 80 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 Saint Louis University (28).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College 1130/1325; Saint Louis University 1200/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College 26/30; Saint Louis University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St. Mary's College - Test optional; Saint Louis University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Saint Louis University students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at St. Mary's College (3.83).
• St. Mary's College has a higher acceptance rate (76%) than Saint Louis University (75%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at St. Mary's College vs. 13.9% at Saint Louis University.

St. Mary's College vs. Saint Louis University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St. Mary's College and Saint Louis 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).

• Saint Mary's College's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than Saint Louis University's (61%).
• Graduates from Saint Louis University earn a median of about $10,700 more per year than St. Mary's College graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,800 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Saint Louis University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than St. Mary's College graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Saint Louis University graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Mary's College graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More St. Mary's College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saint Louis University students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 74%)

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.