Wheaton College vs. St. Mary's College

Comparable Facts

Compare Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL with Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wheaton College is larger than St. Mary's College based on total student enrollment (2,874 students vs. 1,601 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wheaton College is located in Wheaton, IL (Large Suburban setting); Saint Mary's College is in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting).
• Wheaton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Mary's College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wheaton College 10:1; Saint Mary's College 9:1.

Wheaton College vs. St. Mary's College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wheaton College or St. Mary's College? 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 Saint Mary's College than Wheaton College ($27,865 vs. $31,356).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wheaton College are 8.8% lower than at Saint Mary's College ($13,010 vs. $14,260).
• Saint Mary's College is 16.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wheaton College (about $7,684 more per year; $53,230.00 vs. $45,546.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.9% higher at St. Mary's College than at Wheaton College (about $7,684 more per year; $53,230.00 vs. $45,546.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's College than at Wheaton College (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's College students is 38.4% larger than aid received by Wheaton College students ($38,748 vs. $27,987).

Wheaton College vs. St. Mary's College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wheaton College (1370) is 140 points higher than at St. Mary's College (1230).
• Incoming Wheaton College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at St. Mary's College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 1260/1470; Saint Mary's College 1130/1325.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 28/32; Saint Mary's College 26/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wheaton College - Test optional; St. Mary's College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wheaton College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman St. Mary's College students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Wheaton College (3.75).
• Wheaton College has a higher acceptance rate (87.4%) than St. Mary's College (76%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.9% at Wheaton College vs. 20.1% at St. Mary's College.

Wheaton College vs. St. Mary's College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wheaton College and St. Mary's College? 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).

• Wheaton College's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Saint Mary's College's (79%).
• Graduates from Wheaton College earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than St. Mary's College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wheaton College graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than St. Mary's College graduates ($22,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wheaton College graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Mary's College graduates ($232 vs. $279).
• More Wheaton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St. Mary's College students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 85%)

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.