San Diego State vs. Saint Mary's College of California

Comparable Facts

Compare San Diego State University in San Diego, CA with Saint Mary's College of California in Moraga, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

San Diego State University is larger than Saint Mary's College of California based on total student enrollment (41,137 students vs. 2,734 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Diego State University is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); Saint Mary's College of California is in Moraga, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• San Diego State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Mary's College of California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: San Diego State University 27:1; Saint Mary's College of California 10:1.

San Diego State vs. Saint Mary's College of California Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Diego State or Saint Mary's College of California? 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 San Diego State University than Saint Mary's College of California ($14,704 vs. $35,332).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Mary's College of California are 23.6% lower than at San Diego State University ($17,600 vs. $23,030).
• Saint Mary's College of California is 562.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego State (about $49,075 more per year; $57,803.00 vs. $8,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 171% higher at Saint Mary's College of California than at San Diego State University (about $36,475 more per year; $57,803.00 vs. $21,328.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's College of California than at San Diego State University (100% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's College of California students is 251.8% larger than aid received by San Diego State University students ($42,407 vs. $12,053).

San Diego State vs. Saint Mary's College of California Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, San Diego State or Saint Mary's College of California? 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 Mary's College of California and San Diego State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at San Diego State University (1200) is 40 points higher than at Saint Mary's College of California (1160).
• Incoming San Diego State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at Saint Mary's College of California).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego State University 1090/1300; Saint Mary's College of California 1070/1253.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego State University 22/29; Saint Mary's College of California 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Diego State - Test-free; Saint Mary's College of California - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Diego State Nov 30, 2026; Saint Mary's College of California Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman San Diego State students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Saint Mary's College of California (3.6).
• Saint Mary's College of California has a higher acceptance rate (86.5%) than San Diego State (36.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at San Diego State vs. 9.5% at Saint Mary's College of California.

San Diego State vs. Saint Mary's College of California Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Diego State and Saint Mary's College of California? 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).

• San Diego State University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Saint Mary's College of California's (61%).
• Graduates from Saint Mary's College of California earn a median of about $13,400 more per year than San Diego State graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,800 vs. $53,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego State University graduates have a $9,651 lower median loan debt than Saint Mary's College of California graduates ($15,349 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, San Diego State graduates have an estimated $100 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saint Mary's College of California graduates ($158 vs. $258).
• More Saint Mary's College of California graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego State students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 65%)

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.