Saint Mary's College
Saint Mary's College

Saint Mary's College

Notre Dame, IN, USA
Private
4 Year

Overview

Saint Mary’s College is a private, Catholic, women’s college in Notre Dame, IN with a focus on “creating leaders & women of action.” The college offers more than 50 academic programs, which include six nationally accredited programs, and four graduate programs, which are co-ed. Saint Mary’s is well known for the individualized attention students receive and for helping prepare them for their careers by fostering communication skills, problem solving skills, critical and creative thinking skills, leadership experience, and practical experience through internships, research, and other hands-on activities.  

The institution also maintains a close affiliation with the University of Notre Dame and Holy Cross College to provide more opportunities for our students. Saint Mary’s offers study abroad opportunities in nearly 20 countries and more than half of the student body utilizes the program, which offers travel to Italy, China, Morocco, Argentina, and more. The campus is home to three Centers of Distinction, the Center for Spirituality, Center for Women’s Intercultural Leadership, and the Center for Academic Innovation, the last of which can award independent student study and research grants. Saint Mary's offers a free application and is test optional for students.

Acceptance Rate:
84%
Average Net Price:
$27,121
Campus Setting:
Suburb or town
Average GPA
3.9
Average ACT Composite
27
Average SAT Composite
1193

Virtual Tour

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Affordability & Cost

Average Net Price
$27,121
Calculate your net cost
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$51,430
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$51,430
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$13,850
Books and Supplies
$250
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]

Aid & Grants

0
100
89%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
27%
Average Aid Per Year
$36,112
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
27%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,728
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$33,026

 

Students receiving state aid
19%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$7715
Students receiving federal aid
28%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,728
Average Grant & Scholarship By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$50,648
$30k - $48k
$47,765
$48k - $75k
$43,797
$75k - $110k
$35,762
$110k+
$30,552
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$35,834,956
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$14,564,416

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
64%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$8,638
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$24,966
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$258
Students receiving federal loans
63%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$5,212
Average Other Loans Per Year
$16,652

 

Admissions

Key Admissions Stats

Institution Type
Private
  • Not for Profit
  • Roman Catholic
  • Women’s College

Need Aware

This school may consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission

Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Suburb or town
0
100
84%
Acceptance Rate
2260
Students Applied
63%
Transfer Acceptance Rate
17
Transfer Students Admitted

Admissions Requirements

SAT
SAT is not checked
No
ACT
ACT is not checked
No
Transcript
Transcript is checked
Yes
Test Optional
Item is checked
Yes
SAT Subject Tests
Item is checked
Yes
AP Course Credit
Item is checked
Yes
Dual Enrollment
Item is checked
Yes

Important Deadlines

Application TypeApplication DeadlineReply Deadline
Early Decision Acceptance is binding so student must attend college if accepted.November 15January 15
Fall Regular DecisionFebruary 15June 1

Rolling Admissions

The college has rolling admissions, which means applications are accepted any time throughout the year.

Common Application
Common Application

Admitted Student Stats

In-State Students
35%
Out-Of-State Students
66%
19%
Submitting ACT
30%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 27
0
36
Average SAT Composite: 1193
0
1600
SAT Percentiles

Math
25th
540
75th
648
Reading
25th
560
75th
680
3.9
Average GPA
Students Enrolled By Class Rank

Top 10%
36
Top 25%
67
Top 50%
93

Admissions Resources

Admissions: visit page
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Telephone: 800-551-7621
For International Student Services: visit page
For Students with Disabilities: visit page
For Veteran Services: visit page

Academics

Key Academic Stats

Highest Degree Offered
Doctorate
Total Number of Students
1,519
Total Number of Undergrads
1,406
0
100
78%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
81%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
9:1
US National: 21:1
Academic Calendar

Semester

Non Traditional Learning
  • Online Classes
  • Online Undergrad Degrees
  • Summer Sessions
  • Combined Institution Double Degree Programs
  • Some Programs Requires Co-Op/Internship
Learning Options
  • ROTC Army
  • ROTC Air Force
  • Study Abroad
  • Teacher Certification Offered
Classroom Sizes

2-19 Students
54%
20-39 Students
43%
40-99 Students
2%
 

Degrees and Majors

MAJORS
43

Faculty Overview

Gender
Male
Female
Ethnicity

African American
Asian/Pacific Islander
White
Hispanic
Unknown

Campus Life

Key Campus Stats

Student Gender
Male
Female
1%
99%
Residency
In-State Students
35%
Out-Of-State Students
66%
Size of Town
Suburb or town
US States Represented
41
Countries Represented
11
Ethnicity
African American
2%
Asian/Pacific Islander
2%
Hispanic
15%
White
76%
Multiracial
3%
Unknown
2%
Percent of First Generation Students
20%
Student Organizations
75
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
Item is checked
Yes
On Campus Women's Center
Item is not checked
No
Cultural Student Resource Groups
Item is checked
Yes

Housing

0
100
84%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
Yes
Disability Housing Available
Yes
0
100
85%
Freshman Living on Campus

Athletics

Divisional Sports Nickname
Belles
School Colors
royal blue & white
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Not applicable
Intramural Sports
9
Sports Club
3
Sports Team (Women)
  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Golf
  • Lacrosse
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Tennis
  • Volleyball
Saint Mary's College Athletics: visit page

Campus Safety

24-HR security patrol
24-HR security patrol is checked
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Campus emergency phones is checked
Yes
24-HR escort safety rides
Item is checked
Yes
Mobile campus emergency alert
Item is not checked
No

After Graduation

Post Grad Stats

Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$51,300
Top 5 Cities
Chicago
South Bend
Indianapolis
New York
Washington
Top 5 Employers
Saint Mary's College
PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLC
Beloitte & Touch LLC
Abbott Laboratories
Beacon Health
Top 5 Sectors
Health/Medical Services
Business/Industry
Education
Finance
Communications
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$24,966
Loan Default Rate
2%
National: 8%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$258
My current intended major is Nursing, but I'm learning so many other great things that I feel more informed about the world than ever before. Not only is St. Mary's good at teaching her students about the past, but also on keeping us updated about current issues. St. Mary's has taught me so much more than just how to be a good student, the school has taught me to be a well rounded, strong individual. The professors are always willing to help and set aside office hours, and more, for students to talk to them. The class sizes are small which makes for a more intimate environment where learning, interpreting, and using information is always happening. I'm only a sophomore and I feel as if I've learned years and years worth of valuable information.
Allison from Battle Creek, MI
Classes are tough, but to be honest, I learned more in the first year of college than I did my whole high school career. It is totally worth it!! Do not skip class a lot, especially math classes, because on the day you think you won't be doing anything special, it turns out to be the worst day in the world to skip! No joke.
Jillian from South Bend, IN
Saint Marys, is a wonderful liberal arts college, ranked among the best in the country! I love it here! Saint Marys has an amazing atmosphere to be in and around.
Julie from Chicago, IL
They say college is the best time of your life and they don't lie. Saint Mary's you to grow as a strong, independent woman. You get to figure out who you want to be and how you can go about being that person. The school allows several different opportunities to get a feel for who you are without being controlling. I have learned a lot about myself over the past two years then I ever thought I would.
Adrienna from Holland, MI
Most of the class sizes are small, so you can get one on one help easily! The professors are also very good about making themselves available for their students.
Therese from Cherry Valley, IL
I just finished my first year at SMC, and I am pleased to say that I have learned a great deal. The professors really care about my progress and how much I truly understand the material. They offer multiple opportunities for tutoring when necessary and a wide variety of office hours; I never have to worry about going to talk to one either because they are friendly and accommodating. I was also happy to see many things I learned applied in my life, including during everyday conversations with people at work. I am excited to return to Saint Mary's to continue learning.
Jillian from Saint John, IN
I learn so many new things every day!! Whether it is in class, sports, or just hanging out with my friends, every day is a new experience! Meeting so many new people and doing so many new things has really helped me to grow in the short time I have been here!
Bridget from Monroe, MI
A very warm and supportive atmosphere. A small campus, with very involved faculty and a close community. Comes with most of the benefits of the larger school, Notre Dame, across the way, but also with the drawbacks of stereotypes from Domers.
Class of 2015
Saint Mary's College is a beautiful all-women's Catholic college located across the street for Notre Dame University and next door to Holy Cross College. There are currently around 1600 students, so the class sizes are small and the professors know their students. The school provides many opportunities for the women, such as a variety of majors, a large network to aid in job applications, and a chance to take classes at the other two schools.
Brianna from Beloit, WI