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Saint Mary's College of California

Saint Mary's College of California

Moraga, CA · Suburb · 1,947 students
WebsiteCommon AppForbes rankingScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$30,378
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
70%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
54% typical
$78,812
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$55,177 typical
87%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
82% typical · not scored
Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
About

Nestled in a picturesque Bay Area valley, Saint Mary’s College of California is a private Lasallian Catholic university known for its commitment to social justice, small class sizes, and rich intellectual traditions. The college is particularly recognized for strong programs in business administration, nursing, and education, all anchored by its signature "Collegiate Seminar" Great Books curriculum that emphasizes discussion-based learning. On campus, student life centers around a tight-knit community, a strong ethos of service, and high-energy NCAA Division I athletics, led by its nationally prominent men’s basketball program. A defining feature of the SMC experience is its innovative January Term, an intensive one-month period where students focus exclusively on a single creative, experiential, or study-abroad topic.

Wikipedia:Saint Mary's College of California is a private Catholic college in Moraga, California, United States. Established in 1863, it is administered by the De La Salle Brothers. The college offers undergraduate and graduate programs with a total student count at under 4,000 as of 2018.

Location
Moraga, CA, 94575 · Suburb campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
OAK · Oakland
10 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$57,803
Housing & food (on campus)$17,600
Books & supplies$1,062
Cost of attendance$87,612
Average net price$30,378
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$57,803
Housing & food (on campus)$17,600
Books & supplies$1,062
Cost of attendance$87,612
Average net price$30,378
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.stmarys-ca.edu
How it’s made up · 2026-27
Saint Mary's College of California’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$61,416
Books & supplies$1,304
Personal expenses$3,970
Transportation$1,386
Total published by the school$87,612
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$19,462
$30–48k
$20,127
$48–75k
$23,303
$75–110k
$29,049
$110k+
$40,581
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
70%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
62%
Back for yr 2
85%
Transferred
16%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
75% graduated · 17% transferred · 8% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$60,388
10 yrs after entry$78,812
Debt
Median at graduation$23,691
Monthly payment$251
Middle 50% owe$12k–$27k
90th percentile$32,000
Green marks a figure above the typical Master's (larger programs): 54% graduate within 6 yrs, $55,177 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
87%
Test policy
Not required
Per College Scorecard

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Essay prompts

If Saint Mary's College of California asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 46%Women 54%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
10 : 1
Pell grant
27%
First-gen
26%
Family income
$72,847
Independent
10%
Age at entry
20.0
Part-time
5%
Race & ethnicity
White
37%
Hispanic
33%
Black
5%
Asian
8%
Two or more
9%
Non-resident
2%
NH/PI
2%
Unknown
3%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division I without football · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Beach Volleyball
    Women's
  • Cross Country
    Men's · Women's
  • Golf
    Men's
  • Rowing
    Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Indoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Outdoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$60,388
After 10 yrs
$78,812
Business/Commerce, General102
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities47
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness35
Biology, General28
Psychology, General28
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other28
Communication and Media Studies23
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft21
Accounting and Related Services17
Economics16
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology15
Political Science and Government15
English Language and Literature, General14
Sociology14
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other12
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology10
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$179M
Full-time faculty
61%
Faculty salary
$11,429/mo
Teaching spend
$14,094
per student
Federal loans
42%
Classification
Carnegie type
Master's (larger programs)
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, selective admissions

Wondering if Saint Mary's College of California is the right fit for you?

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Financial aid & net cost estimates
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