Spelman vs. St. Mary's University

Comparable Facts

Compare Spelman College in Atlanta, GA 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 Spelman based on total student enrollment (3,456 students vs. 3,417 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spelman College is located in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting); St. Mary's University is in San Antonio, TX (Large City setting).
• Spelman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St. Mary's University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spelman College 11:1; St. Mary's University 11:1.

Spelman vs. St. Mary's University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Spelman 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 Spelman ($20,412 vs. $40,354).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St. Mary's University are 28.7% lower than at Spelman College ($12,894 vs. $18,091).
• St. Mary's University is 18.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Spelman (about $5,878 more per year; $37,434.00 vs. $31,556.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.6% higher at St. Mary's University than at Spelman College (about $5,878 more per year; $37,434.00 vs. $31,556.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St. Mary's University than at Spelman College (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St. Mary's University students is 158.8% larger than aid received by Spelman College students ($27,464 vs. $10,614).

Spelman vs. St. Mary's University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Spelman 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 Spelman.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Spelman College (1210) is 100 points higher than at St. Mary's University (1110).
• Incoming Spelman students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at St. Mary's University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spelman College 1108/1320; St. Mary's University 900/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spelman College 22/29; St. Mary's University 15/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Spelman - Test optional; St. Mary's University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Spelman Feb 1, 2027; St. Mary's University Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Spelman students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at St. Mary's University (3.61).
• St. Mary's University has a higher acceptance rate (97.8%) than Spelman (24.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.6% at Spelman vs. 12.6% at St. Mary's University.

Spelman vs. St. Mary's University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Spelman 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).

• Spelman College's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than St. Mary's University's (58%).
• Graduates from Spelman College earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than St. Mary's University graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,300 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, St. Mary's University and Spelman graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, St. Mary's University and Spelman graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More St. Mary's University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Spelman students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 47%)

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.