Saint Mary's College of California is not selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of Saint Mary's College of California (St Marys College of California) is 87.89%. This means that 88 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.
How Competitiveness is Saint Mary's College of California Admissions?
- Slightly Competitive: Applicants need average academics and extracurriculars.
- GPA, SAT/ACT, and AP/IB courses significantly impact admission chances.
- A holistic review considers essays, recommendations, and leadership roles.

Although the acceptance rate is high, remember that to secure admission to any institution of higher learning, you must convince the admission staff that you are mentally and physically fit for the course of studies. Your GPA, class performance, SAT/ACT scores, and IB or AP courses can help your application stand out. If you do not perform well in one area, you can showcase your strengths in other areas, as St Marys College of California is not very strict in its admission, so improving other areas will help you secure admission.
To enhance your chances of admission, perform well in academics and other activities. If your GPA is not excellent, compensate by scoring high on the SAT, and ACT, and taking IB or AP courses.
Additionally, a well-written letter of recommendation, your participation in co-curricular and extracurricular activities, and your interpersonal communication skills can improve your chances of admission.
Saint Mary's College of California Admission Requirements
St Marys College of California GPA Requirement
The average GPA of the admitted students at St Marys College of California is 3.6. St Marys College of California is highly selective.
Mostly A’s with a few B’s will keep you competitive. Taking AP/IB courses related to your field will improve your chances.
If your GPA is between 3.3 and 3.6, a strong SAT or ACT score is recommended. You need at least a 3.2 GPA to secure admission.
Can I Get Into St Marys College of California Without SAT Or ACT?: Saint Mary's College of California does not require admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process and does not recommend that students provide these scores. But it is better to submit the test score if you have performed well in the test. It gives an extra opportunity to showcase your skills and competencies and hence will improve your chances of admission. Check the schedule of the test and plan accordingly. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students, as given below. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. But if your score is not up to the mark and is less than the national or state average, then it is better not to submit the score as it will impact negatively.
Saint Mary's College of California (St Marys College of California) SAT Requirements
Each school has different requirements for SAT and ACT testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them. The test score policy is already mentioned.
Saint Mary's College of California Average SAT Score: 1162
The average SAT score of the admitted students at Saint Mary's College of California is 1162 on the 1600 SAT scale.
Saint Mary's College of California SAT Competitiveness

This score makes it less competitive for SAT test scores. You need to put average efforts to score 1162 on the SAT.
Key Insight:Aim for the 75th percentile (0 SAT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. Saint Mary's College of California allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.
If your score is below 0, you must retake the SAT to improve your chances of admission to St Marys College of California. It is not strange to appear multiple times for the SAT to improve scores. Colleges don’t mind if you have appeared multiple times, but not more than 5 times.
Saint Mary's College of California SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
SAT Math | 0 | 0 | 0 |
SAT Reading | 0 | 0 | 0 |
SAT Composite | 1162 | 0 | 0 |
It means that if you have scored less than 0 then you are below most of the admitted students at St Marys College of California and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 0 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students. View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1150
Can I get into Saint Mary's College of California (St Marys College of California) with a 0 SAT?
With a 0 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Saint Mary's College of California (St Marys College of California) are good but the admission staff at St Marys College of California tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.
St Marys College of California Profile
Name: Saint Mary's College of California (St Marys College of California)
City: Moraga
State: California
Type: Non-Profit Private
Zip: 94575
Campus: Main
Accredited by: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission (WASCSR)
How much does a degree from St Marys College of California Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Saint Mary's College of California is USD: 71268. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Saint Mary's College of California is much less than this.
How can I get a scholarship?
23.01% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 43.47 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to St Marys College of California and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Saint Mary's College of California, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist St Marys College of California as your choice in the form.
How much a St Marys College of California Graduate make?
The average annual salary of the St Marys College of California graduate after 4-6 years of graduation is USD 78812. An average St Marys College of California graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4-6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is USD: 40595

Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Saint Mary's College of California. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower than the requirements of Saint Mary's College of California, you'll be competitive for these schools.
School | Location | SAT | ACT |
---|---|---|---|
University of South Alabama | University of South Alabama, AL | 1118 | 23 |
Arkansas State University | Arkansas State University, AR | 1119 | 22 |
University of Central Arkansas | University of Central Arkansas, AR | 1118 | 22 |
Azusa Pacific University | Azusa Pacific University, CA | 1132 | 25 |
University of La Verne | University of La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
William Jessup University | William Jessup University, CA | 1130 | NA |
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus, CO | 1150 | 24 |
Fort Lewis College | Fort Lewis College, CO | 1147 | 22 |
Regis University | Regis University, CO | 1149 | 24 |
Western Connecticut State University | Western Connecticut State University, CT | 1126 | 24 |

Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Saint Mary's College of California. If your SAT or ACT score are competitive for Saint Mary's College of California, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
School | Location | SAT | ACT |
---|---|---|---|
University of Arkansas | University of Arkansas, AR | 1167 | 25 |
Western Colorado University | Western Colorado University, CO | 1154 | 25 |
University of Saint Joseph | University of Saint Joseph, CT | 1170 | NA |
Howard University | Howard University, DC | 1164 | 23 |
Flagler College | Flagler College, FL | 1168 | 26 |

More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Saint Mary's College of California. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
School | Location | SAT | ACT |
---|---|---|---|
Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham-Southern College, AL | 1218 | 26 |
University of Mobile | University of Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
Samford University | Samford University, AL | 1227 | 26 |
University of Arizona | University of Arizona, AZ | 1229 | 25 |
John Brown University | John Brown University, AR | 1218 | 26 |
Degree Programs
Bachelor Degree Programs
- Accounting and Related Services
- Anthropology
- Applied Mathematics
- Archeology
- Area Studies
- Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Biology, General
- Biopsychology
Frequently Asked Questions About Saint Mary's College of California Admissions
Answer: Graduates of this university typically earn a moderate salary, $78812 annually, with some fluctuation based on the field.
Question: What is the tuition fee for Saint Mary's College of California?
Answer: The tuition fee at this university is quite high, approximately $71268 or more per year for out-of-state students, so it is important to consider additional funding options.
Question: What are my chances of getting a scholarship at Saint Mary's College of California?
Answer: Your chances of getting a scholarship are good, with about a 50-80% chance. Scholarships are competitive but achievable if you meet the criteria.
Question: What is the acceptance rate for Saint Mary's College of California?
Answer: The acceptance rate of Saint Mary's College of California is 87.89 which is relatively high, above 20%, making it somewhat easier to gain admission compared to other top-tier universities.
Question: What is the average GPA of admitted students at Saint Mary's College of California?
Answer: The average GPA of admitted students is 3.6. This reflects the competitive academic profile expected from applicants.
Question: What is the minimum GPA required for admission to Saint Mary's College of California?
Answer: The minimum GPA required for admission is typically around 3.3, though this can vary depending on other factors such as test scores, extracurriculars, and essays.
Question: What are my chances at Saint Mary's College of California with a 3.3 GPA?
Answer: If your GPA is 3.3 or less, it may makes admission difficult. However, your chances may improve if you have strong test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays.
Question: Can I apply to Saint Mary's College of California if my GPA is below 3.2
Answer: While the average GPA of admitted students is 3.6, applicants with lower GPAs can still be considered if they have strong test scores, extracurriculars, and compelling personal essays that demonstrate resilience and potential.
Question: How competitive is the SAT score requirement for Saint Mary's College of California?
Answer: Admission to Saint Mary's College of California is based on SAT, and a strong SAT score is essential. Aim for scores above 1162 for the best chances, although the overall application strength also matters. Your SAT must be in the range of 0-0
Question: Is it possible to transfer to Saint Mary's College of California from another university?
Answer: Yes, many students successfully transfer to Saint Mary's College of California each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
Question: What is the campus culture like at Saint Mary's College of California?
Answer: The campus culture at Saint Mary's College of California is diverse and vibrant, with numerous student organizations, sports teams, and cultural activities. It’s an ideal environment for personal growth and building lifelong connections.
Question: How can I improve my chances of getting into Saint Mary's College of California?
Answer: To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.
Full list of All degree programs offered by Saint Mary's College of California.
Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard's latest data as provided in 2024, US Department of Education's latest 2024 statistics, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.