Saint Mary's College of California's published cost of attendance is $77,659. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $19,462, middle-income families pay around $23,303, and higher-income families pay approximately $40,581.
Select your family income to see your estimated cost
Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $77,659 |
| Tuition and Fees | $57,803 |
| Room and Board | $17,600 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,062 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$47,281 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $30,378 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $19,462 |
| $30–48k | $20,127 |
| $48–75k | $23,303 |
| $75–110k | $29,049 |
| $110k+ | $40,581 |
Saint Mary's College of California's published cost of attendance is $77,659. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $19,462, middle-income families pay around $23,303, and higher-income families pay approximately $40,581. Azimuth ranks Saint Mary's College of California #1279 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Saint Mary's College participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and the college evaluates demonstrated financial need to determine aid packages. The affordability rank reflects both the headline sticker price and the debt load graduates carry: net price and sticker price can differ substantially, and understanding that gap helps families budget realistically for four years. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $23,691, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $58,000; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $74,325, median federal debt of $23,691 projects to a monthly payment of about $268 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use .
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of Saint Mary's College of California earn median 4-year earnings of $74,325, placing Saint Mary's College of California in the 74.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $8,027 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Saint Mary's College of California in the 82.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Saint Mary's College of California #250 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Saint Mary's College of California's concentration in business and professional fields. Business/Commerce, General is the largest program with 148 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $80,262, performing at 1.2x the national benchmark for the field. General Studies enrolls 64 graduates with median 4-year earnings of $68,501, at 1.3x benchmark. Biology, General and Psychology, General round out the largest cohorts, with Psychology, General graduates earning $70,123 at 1.4x benchmark. Kinesiology graduates earn $66,265, performing at 1.2x the national benchmark. The concentration in Business — representing 27% of degrees — anchors the institution's earnings profile and contributes to outcomes that exceed those at many comparable private institutions.
