Southern Adventist University vs. St. Mary's University

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, TN with St. Mary's University in San Antonio, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

St. Mary's University is larger than Southern Adventist University based on total student enrollment (3,456 students vs. 3,229 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Adventist University is located in Collegedale, TN (Large Suburban setting); St. Mary's University is in San Antonio, TX (Large City setting).
• Southern Adventist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St. Mary's University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Adventist University 19:1; St. Mary's University 11:1.

Southern Adventist University vs. St. Mary's University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Adventist University or St. Mary's 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 St. Mary's University than Southern Adventist University ($20,412 vs. $25,753).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Adventist University are 31% lower than at St. Mary's University ($8,900 vs. $12,894).
• St. Mary's University is 37.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southern Adventist University (about $10,134 more per year; $37,434.00 vs. $27,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.1% higher at St. Mary's University than at Southern Adventist University (about $10,134 more per year; $37,434.00 vs. $27,300.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St. Mary's University than at Southern Adventist University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St. Mary's University students is 112.8% larger than aid received by Southern Adventist University students ($27,464 vs. $12,904).

Southern Adventist University vs. St. Mary's University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southern Adventist University or St. Mary's 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 St. Mary's University and Southern Adventist University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Adventist University (1160) is 50 points higher than at St. Mary's University (1110).
• Incoming Southern Adventist University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at St. Mary's University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Adventist University 1020/1300; St. Mary's University 900/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Adventist University 19/25; St. Mary's University 15/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Adventist University - Test optional; St. Mary's University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: St. Mary's University Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman St. Mary's University students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Southern Adventist University (3.59).
• St. Mary's University has a higher acceptance rate (97.8%) than Southern Adventist University (65.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.9% at Southern Adventist University vs. 12.6% at St. Mary's University.

Southern Adventist University vs. St. Mary's University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern Adventist University and St. Mary's 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).

• St. Mary's University's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Southern Adventist University's (51%).
• Graduates from St. Mary's University earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than Southern Adventist University graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,000 vs. $44,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Adventist University graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than St. Mary's University graduates ($26,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Southern Adventist University graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Mary's University graduates ($274 vs. $279).
• More Southern Adventist University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St. Mary's University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 59%)

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.