Saint Mary's College of California
Moraga, CA, USA

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Affordability and Cost

Average Net Price Average net price for full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates paying the in-state or in-district tuition rate who were awarded grant or scholarship aid from federal, state or local governments, or the institution. Other sources of grant aid are excluded. Aid awarded anytime during the full aid year is included.

Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state or local government, or institutional grant and scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies and the weighted average room and board and other expenses.
$34,392
Calculate your net cost
Average Net Price By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$25,356
$30k - $48k
$23,196
$48k - $75k
$27,396
$75k - $110k
$33,686
$110k+
$40,163
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.
$53,572
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.
$53,572
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.
$16,404
Books and Supplies
$1,152
Tuition Payment Plan
Yes
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]

Aid & Grants

0
100
70%
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.
25%
Average Aid Per Year
$28,820
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.
25%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,663
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$25,950
Students receiving state aid
21%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$8,240
Students receiving federal aid
20%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,663
Average Grant & Scholarship By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$40,288
$30k - $48k
$39,006
$48k - $75k
$40,298
$75k - $110k
$35,362
$110k+
$24,821
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.
$42,834,096
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$10,412,120

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.
51%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$5,303
Students receiving federal loans
51%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$5,303
Average Other Loans Per Year
$24,871
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.
$20,500
Loan Default Rate
3%
US National: 7%
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.
$231

What Students Are Saying

It is expensive, but it is most definitely worth it. The school is very helpful when it comes to financial aid. There are on-campus jobs and off-campus jobs that are posted on the school website for students at St. Mary's.
Julianne from Yakima, WA
While the sticker price of the school is around 50,000 like all other private schools, I believe over 80% of the students that attend Saint Mary's have some kind of financial aid, whether academic or need based. There are so many free services here such as free plays, games, activities, clubs, shows, recreational classes, etc, that it is really worth it because everything is paid for. Isn't it nice for the teachers that you are paying so much money for to actually know your name? Also, if money is a concern there are many jobs available on campus as well as outside of the campus in the Walnut Creek area to help pay tuition. In the end all those little nice things, like free planners, weekend of welcome (the first weekend of school for freshman where activities are planned to get everyone familiarized with the school), and the free bbq every wednesday afternoon (community time), really makes it more worth it. Even now, a public UC school costs 30,000 dollars so the gap is no longer as big as it used to be.
Karen from San Francisco, CA
SMC has a unique 4-1-4 semester system. We have four-month long semesters with a one month January Term break in between. During Jan term, students study only one class not necessarily related to their majors. This gives them time to explore other interests or pursue individual projects like community service. Last year, one of my friends took a course on chocolate making during this time and travel courses are available for Jan Term, too.
Alexis from Morro Bay, CA
if you want a good education you'll get it here. you are able to have a one on one conversation with your professor and peers everyday you are in class.
Amelia from Stockton, CA
Saint Mary's may be expensive, but it is definitely worth every penny. The average cost of attendance per year is just over $50,000, but the Saint Mary's program is unmatched by any other college in the state.
Maxwell from Concord, CA
I know private school is expensive. I'll be paying for my education til I'm 50. But I know its worth it because I feel like my prospective job opportunities are much wider because of where I go to school. Also when I WANT to go to classes, just because they are so interesting, I know paying every penny is worth it.
A Happy Student
yes, the tuition is quite high, but it is definitely worth it. The housing acommodations are nice, the food is excellent, the classes are fantastic and enriching, and the people are absolutely great!
Chelsea from Clovis, CA