St. Mary's University vs. SU

Comparable Facts

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

St. Mary's University is larger than SU based on total student enrollment (3,456 students vs. 1,440 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

St. Mary's University vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St. Mary's University or SU? 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 SU ($20,412 vs. $32,228).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St. Mary's University are 14.5% lower than at Southwestern University ($12,894 vs. $15,072).
• Southwestern University is 43.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than St. Mary's University (about $16,379 more per year; $53,813.00 vs. $37,434.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.8% higher at SU than at St. Mary's University (about $16,379 more per year; $53,813.00 vs. $37,434.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St. Mary's University than at Southwestern University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern University students is 28% larger than aid received by St. Mary's University students ($35,162 vs. $27,464).

St. Mary's University vs. SU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southwestern University (1220) is 110 points higher than at St. Mary's University (1110).
• Incoming SU students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 21 at St. Mary's University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St. Mary's University 900/1310; Southwestern University 1130/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: St. Mary's University 15/27; Southwestern University 26/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St. Mary's University - Test optional; SU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: St. Mary's University Jan 15, 2027; SU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman St. Mary's University students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at SU (3.5).
• St. Mary's University has a higher acceptance rate (97.8%) than SU (43.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.6% at St. Mary's University vs. 13.8% at SU.

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

How do outcomes compare for St. Mary's University and SU? 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).

• Southwestern University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than St. Mary's University's (58%).
• Graduates from Southwestern University earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than St. Mary's University graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,400 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwestern University graduates have a $107 lower median loan debt than St. Mary's University graduates ($26,893 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SU graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Mary's University graduates ($278 vs. $279).
• More SU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St. Mary's University students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.