St. Mary's vs. DeSales University

Comparable Facts

Compare St. Mary's College of Maryland in St. Mary's City, MD with DeSales University in Center Valley, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

DeSales University is larger than St. Mary's based on total student enrollment (2,972 students vs. 1,630 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• St. Mary's College of Maryland is located in St. Mary's City, MD (Distant Rural setting); DeSales University is in Center Valley, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• St. Mary's College of Maryland is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. DeSales University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: St. Mary's College of Maryland 10:1; DeSales University 12:1.

St. Mary's vs. DeSales University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St. Mary's or DeSales 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 College of Maryland than DeSales University ($21,071 vs. $31,732).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at DeSales University are 14.2% lower than at St. Mary's College of Maryland ($13,800 vs. $16,079).
• DeSales University is 205.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than St. Mary's (about $31,502 more per year; $46,800.00 vs. $15,298.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49.2% higher at DeSales University than at St. Mary's College of Maryland (about $15,426 more per year; $46,800.00 vs. $31,374.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at DeSales University than at St. Mary's College of Maryland (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by DeSales University students is 171.2% larger than aid received by St. Mary's College of Maryland students ($30,909 vs. $11,398).

St. Mary's vs. DeSales University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, St. Mary's or DeSales University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between DeSales University and St. Mary's.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at St. Mary's College of Maryland (1240) is 60 points higher than at DeSales University (1180).
• Incoming St. Mary's students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (28 vs. 27 at DeSales University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: St. Mary's College of Maryland 1143/1340; DeSales University 1090/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: St. Mary's College of Maryland 26/31; DeSales University 27/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St. Mary's - Test optional; DeSales University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: St. Mary's Jan 15, 2027; DeSales University Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman St. Mary's students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at DeSales University (3.39).
• DeSales University has a higher acceptance rate (77.1%) than St. Mary's (68.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.3% at St. Mary's vs. 16.7% at DeSales University.

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

How do outcomes compare for St. Mary's and DeSales University? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• St. Mary's College of Maryland's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than DeSales University's (69%).
• Graduates from St. Mary's College of Maryland earn a median of about $400 more per year than DeSales University graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,500 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, St. Mary's College of Maryland graduates have a $5,630 lower median loan debt than DeSales University graduates ($20,370 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, St. Mary's graduates have an estimated $58 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DeSales University graduates ($210 vs. $268).
• More St. Mary's graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DeSales University students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.