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Point Loma Nazarene University vs Saint Mary's College of California

Point Loma Nazarene University is a private university in San Diego, CA. Saint Mary's College of California is a private college in Moraga, CA. Point Loma Nazarene University admits about 84% of applicants and Saint Mary's College of California about 87%, making Point Loma Nazarene University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $30,378 a year at Saint Mary's College of California after aid, and about $38,729 at Point Loma Nazarene University. About 76% of students graduate at Point Loma Nazarene University, compared with 70% at Saint Mary's College of California. Ten years after enrolling, Saint Mary's College of California alumni earn a median of about $78,812, against $63,998 for Point Loma Nazarene University.

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Point Loma Nazarene University

San Diego, CA · Private

Saint Mary's College of California

Moraga, CA · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
San Diego, CA
Moraga, CA
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
3,188
1,947
Acceptance rate
84%
87%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.42–3.92
3.35–3.85
SAT (middle 50%)
1175–1365
1070–1253
ACT (middle 50%)
25–32
21–28
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$38,729
$30,378
Full cost / yr
$60,488
$77,659
In-state tuition
$46,250
$57,803
Out-of-state tuition
$46,250
$57,803
Application fee
$55
$60
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$30,999
$19,462
$30k - $48k
$32,117
$20,127
$48k - $75k
$32,888
$23,303
$75k - $110k
$33,003
$29,049
Over $110k
$41,680
$40,581
Outcomes
Graduation rate
76%
70%
Freshman retention
86%
85%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$54,811
$60,388
Median earnings (10 yr)
$63,998
$78,812
Median debt at graduation
$22,990
$23,691
Student body
Pell grant recipients
21%
27%
First-generation students
29%
26%
International students
1%
2%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Nov 15
Nov 1
Regular decision
Feb 15
Jan 15

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Point Loma Nazarene University or Saint Mary's College of California harder to get into?
Point Loma Nazarene University is harder to get into. It admits about 84% of applicants, compared with 87% at Saint Mary's College of California. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Point Loma Nazarene University or Saint Mary's College of California?
Saint Mary's College of California is cheaper on average. Students pay about $30,378 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $38,729 at Point Loma Nazarene University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Point Loma Nazarene University and Saint Mary's College of California?
Before aid, Point Loma Nazarene University costs about $60,488 a year and Saint Mary's College of California about $77,659. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Point Loma Nazarene University or Saint Mary's College of California?
Saint Mary's College of California. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $19,462 there, against about $30,999 at Point Loma Nazarene University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Point Loma Nazarene University or Saint Mary's College of California?
Point Loma Nazarene University is the larger of the two, with about 3,188 undergraduates against 1,947 at Saint Mary's College of California.
Does Point Loma Nazarene University or Saint Mary's College of California have a better graduation rate?
Point Loma Nazarene University has the higher graduation rate, at about 76% against 70% at Saint Mary's College of California.
Do graduates of Point Loma Nazarene University or Saint Mary's College of California earn more?
Saint Mary's College of California alumni earn more on average: a median of about $78,812 ten years after enrolling, against about $63,998 for Point Loma Nazarene University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Point Loma Nazarene University and Saint Mary's College of California require SAT or ACT scores?
Point Loma Nazarene University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Saint Mary's College of California is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Point Loma Nazarene University and Saint Mary's College of California look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1175–1365 at Point Loma Nazarene University and 1070–1253 at Saint Mary's College of California. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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