St. Mary's College vs. SPU

Comparable Facts

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

Seattle Pacific University is larger than St. Mary's College based on total student enrollment (2,261 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); Seattle Pacific University is in Seattle, WA (Large City setting).
• Saint Mary's College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Seattle Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Saint Mary's College 9:1; Seattle Pacific University 13:1.

St. Mary's College vs. SPU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St. Mary's College or SPU? 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 Seattle Pacific University than St. Mary's College ($25,232 vs. $27,865).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Mary's College are 13.5% lower than at Seattle Pacific University ($14,260 vs. $16,491).
• Saint Mary's College is 31.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than SPU (about $12,823 more per year; $53,230.00 vs. $40,407.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.7% higher at St. Mary's College than at Seattle Pacific University (about $12,823 more per year; $53,230.00 vs. $40,407.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's College than at Seattle Pacific University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's College students is 22.8% larger than aid received by Seattle Pacific University students ($38,748 vs. $31,558).

St. Mary's College vs. SPU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Mary's College (1230) is 40 points higher than at SPU (1190).
• Incoming St. Mary's College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at SPU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College 1130/1325; Seattle Pacific University 1050/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College 26/30; Seattle Pacific University 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St. Mary's College - Test optional; SPU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SPU Jul 11, 2027.
• Accepted freshman St. Mary's College students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at SPU (3.53).
• SPU has a higher acceptance rate (83.4%) than St. Mary's College (76%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at St. Mary's College vs. 15.8% at SPU.

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

How do outcomes compare for St. Mary's College and SPU? 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 Seattle Pacific University's (74%).
• Graduates from Saint Mary's College earn a median of about $700 more per year than SPU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,100 vs. $50,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Seattle Pacific University graduates have a $1,397 lower median loan debt than St. Mary's College graduates ($25,603 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SPU graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Mary's College graduates ($264 vs. $279).
• More St. Mary's College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SPU students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 82%)

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.