College of Saint Benedict vs Saint Mary's College
College of Saint Benedict (CSB) and Saint Mary's College (SMC) are two distinct institutions with unique offerings, despite their close proximity and shared history. CSB, a women's college, boasts a higher acceptance rate (78%) compared to SMC's 70%. Both colleges excel in liberal arts education, but CSB is known for its strength in nursing, while SMC emphasizes business and education. CSB's student body is predominantly female (100%), while SMC has a more balanced gender ratio (49% female, 51% male). With similar graduation rates hovering around 80%, both colleges ensure their students are well-prepared for their future endeavors. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table highlighting key differences between CSB and SMC. Explore the table to discover which college aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() College of Saint Benedict |
![]() Saint Mary's College |
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Overview |
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Location | Saint Joseph, Minnesota | Notre Dame, Indiana |
Campus setting | Suburb: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 85.0% | 81.0% |
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No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | Catholic |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 91.8% | 83.1% |
Application fees | ||
SAT range | 1110 - 1220 | 1055 - 1265 |
ACT range | 20 - 27 | 22 - 30 |
Students submitting SAT score | 5.0% | 41.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 53.0% | 26.0% |
Total number of applicants | 1,705 | 2,351 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,565 | 1,953 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 389 | 375 |
Yield rate | 24.9% | 19.2% |
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 | $64,600 | $60,160 |
Average net price | $28,269 | $27,686 |
Tuition | $48,990 | $47,000 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,744
Meal plan:
$5,830
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$13,120 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $34,926 |
100.0%
Average amount $34,350 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
70.0%
Average amount $5,285 |
64.0%
Average amount $5,152 |
Students taking out private loans |
23.0%
Average amount $14,950 |
13.0%
Average amount $16,919 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,542
Men 0.0% Women 100.0% |
1,402
Men 0.2% Women 99.8% |
Graduate students |
15
Men 0.0% Women 100.0% |
125
Men 6.4% Women 93.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 13.9% | 63.7% |
International students | 2.8% | 0.7% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 1,657 | 1,274 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Minnesota Texas Wisconsin Illinois California | Indiana Illinois Michigan Ohio Texas |
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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 | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 76.7% | 74.5% |
Dropout rate | 4.2% | 10.7% |
Transferred out | 19.1% | 14.8% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Nutrition Sciences (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
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