Fresno Pacific University vs Saint Mary's College of California
Fresno Pacific University and Saint Mary's College of California, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Fresno Pacific, a private Christian university, boasts a 90% acceptance rate, while Saint Mary's, a private Catholic college, has a more selective admissions process with a 75% acceptance rate. Fresno Pacific's student body is predominantly undergraduate, with a diverse population representing various ethnicities and backgrounds. Saint Mary's, on the other hand, has a larger graduate student population and a more balanced gender ratio. Both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, with popular majors including Business, Education, and Psychology. While Fresno Pacific emphasizes a faith-based education, Saint Mary's provides a liberal arts curriculum with a focus on social justice. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table highlighting key differences between these two institutions. Explore the table to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal
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![]() Fresno Pacific University |
![]() Saint Mary's College of California |
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Overview |
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Location | Fresno, California | Moraga, California |
Campus setting | City: Large | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | 4-1-4 |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 72.0% | 88.0% |
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Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Evangelical | Catholic |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 77.9% | 70.1% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$45
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Undergraduate:
$60
Graduate:
$50
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SAT range | 970 - 1240 | N/A |
ACT range | 17 - 24 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 10.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 2.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 917 | 3,523 |
Total number of admissions given out | 714 | 2,469 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 200 | 421 |
Yield rate | 28.0% | 17.1% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $49,480 | $71,116 |
Average net price | $15,350 | $25,022 |
Tuition | $32,954 | $51,568 |
Room & board | $8,710 | $16,300 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
98.0%
Average amount $23,925 |
100.0%
Average amount $37,096 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
45.0%
Average amount $4,300 |
75.0%
Average amount $5,473 |
Students taking out private loans |
4.0%
Average amount $16,889 |
3.0%
Average amount $19,233 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,686
Men 27.3% Women 72.7% |
2,199
Men 42.0% Women 58.0% |
Graduate students |
838
Men 26.4% Women 73.6% |
966
Men 35.5% Women 64.5% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 13.9% |
International students | 2.2% | 2.9% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 574 | 1,522 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | California Washington Colorado Oregon Hawaii |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 11:1 | 9:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 67.7% | 73.1% |
Dropout rate | 4.9% | 26.3% |
Transferred out | 26.2% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees)
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other (Master's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
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