St. Mary's College vs. Kentucky

Comparable Facts

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

University of Kentucky is larger than St. Mary's College based on total student enrollment (34,709 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); University of Kentucky is in Lexington, KY (Large City setting).
• Saint Mary's College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Kentucky is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Saint Mary's College 9:1; University of Kentucky 18:1.

St. Mary's College vs. Kentucky Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St. Mary's College or Kentucky? 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 Kentucky than St. Mary's College ($21,958 vs. $27,865).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Mary's College are 11% lower than at University of Kentucky ($14,260 vs. $16,016).
• Saint Mary's College is 294.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kentucky (about $39,728 more per year; $53,230.00 vs. $13,502.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 55.9% higher at St. Mary's College than at University of Kentucky (about $19,090 more per year; $53,230.00 vs. $34,140.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's College than at University of Kentucky (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's College students is 200.4% larger than aid received by University of Kentucky students ($38,748 vs. $12,898).

St. Mary's College vs. Kentucky Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Mary's College (1230) is 50 points higher than at Kentucky (1180).
• Incoming St. Mary's College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at Kentucky).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College 1130/1325; University of Kentucky 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College 26/30; University of Kentucky 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St. Mary's College - Test optional; Kentucky - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kentucky Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman St. Mary's College students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Kentucky (3.59).
• Kentucky has a higher acceptance rate (92.9%) than St. Mary's College (76%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at St. Mary's College vs. 22.2% at Kentucky.

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

How do outcomes compare for St. Mary's College and Kentucky? 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 University of Kentucky's (59%).
• Graduates from Saint Mary's College earn a median of about $100 more per year than Kentucky graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,100 vs. $51,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Kentucky graduates have a $4,250 lower median loan debt than St. Mary's College graduates ($22,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Kentucky graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Mary's College graduates ($235 vs. $279).
• More St. Mary's College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kentucky students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 62%)

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.