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

Comparable Facts

Compare San Jose State University in San Jose, 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 Jose State University is larger than Saint Mary's College of California based on total student enrollment (37,661 students vs. 2,734 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Jose State University is located in San Jose, CA (Large City setting); Saint Mary's College of California is in Moraga, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• San Jose 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 Jose State University 25:1; Saint Mary's College of California 10:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, San Jose 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 Jose State University than Saint Mary's College of California ($13,892 vs. $35,332).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Mary's College of California are 16.1% lower than at San Jose State University ($17,600 vs. $20,971).
• Saint Mary's College of California is 587.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Jose State (about $49,393 more per year; $57,803.00 vs. $8,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 175.1% higher at Saint Mary's College of California than at San Jose State University (about $36,793 more per year; $57,803.00 vs. $21,010.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's College of California than at San Jose State University (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's College of California students is 243.3% larger than aid received by San Jose State University students ($42,407 vs. $12,353).

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

Which college is harder to get into, San Jose 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 Jose State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Mary's College of California (1160) is 30 points higher than at San Jose State (1130).
• Incoming Saint Mary's College of California students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at San Jose State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Jose State University 1010/1240; Saint Mary's College of California 1070/1253.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Jose State University 19/26; Saint Mary's College of California 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Jose State - Test-free; Saint Mary's College of California - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Jose State Dec 15, 2026; Saint Mary's College of California Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Saint Mary's College of California students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at San Jose State (3.35).
• Saint Mary's College of California has a higher acceptance rate (86.5%) than San Jose State (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at San Jose State vs. 9.5% at Saint Mary's College of California.

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

How do outcomes compare for San Jose 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).

• Saint Mary's College of California's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than San Jose State University's (46%).
• Graduates from Saint Mary's College of California earn a median of about $6,900 more per year than San Jose State graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,800 vs. $59,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Jose State University graduates have a $10,000 lower median loan debt than Saint Mary's College of California graduates ($15,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, San Jose State graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saint Mary's College of California graduates ($155 vs. $258).
• More San Jose State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saint Mary's College of California students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 71%)

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.