Mount Saint Mary's University

Key Highlights

• Private non-profit institution with strong academic tradition
• Located in a major metropolitan area with excellent opportunities
• Research-intensive with extensive graduate programs
• Diverse academic programs across multiple disciplines

Student Life & Environment

The Chalon campus provides a residential experience where most students live in halls or apartments. The hilltop setting creates a distinct community, with dining, recreation, and study spaces contained within the campus. Shuttle service connects to the Doheny campus and public transportation. There are no intercollegiate athletics in the traditional sense, though club sports and fitness programs exist. The focus is on academic and personal development rather than spectator sports. Student organizations include academic clubs, cultural groups, service organizations, and arts programs. Being an all-women's environment shapes social life in ways students report as both challenging and liberating. Dating happens off campus, through connections with UCLA, USC, and other area schools. Many students appreciate the women-focused space for academic work while enjoying Los Angeles social options. The Catholic identity influences campus life through Mass, service programs, and ethical reflection, though students of all faiths attend. Weekend activities include trips to the beach, concerts, museums, and the endless entertainment options of greater Los Angeles.

Location & Surroundings

Los Angeles hardly needs introduction as one of the world's most famous cities. The Chalon campus sits in the Brentwood neighborhood, near the Getty Center and accessible to the Westside's cultural amenities. The hilltop location provides peace while remaining minutes from urban activity. Beaches are about 20 minutes away. Hollywood is perhaps 30 minutes depending on traffic. The entertainment, arts, and cultural offerings of Los Angeles provide endless exploration. Students interested in film, television, media, or arts find themselves in the industry's capital. Traffic is a reality, and many students find having a car helpful though not essential. Shuttles and public transit provide some mobility, but Los Angeles remains a car city. Rideshare services fill gaps for students without vehicles. Weather is the stereotypical southern California climate: warm and dry most of the year, with mild winters and little rain. The campus elevation provides slightly cooler temperatures than the valley floors. Students from colder climates appreciate the ability to study outdoors much of the year.

Costs & Career Outcomes

Tuition runs around $45,000 annually, with room and board adding roughly $15,000 for residential students. Total cost of attendance approaches $62,000 before financial aid. The majority of students receive aid that significantly reduces this figure. Merit scholarships reward strong academic performance, with some awards substantial. Need-based aid packages combine grants, loans, and work-study. The university works to make attendance accessible to qualified students regardless of family means. Career outcomes benefit from Los Angeles location and alumni connections. Nursing graduates find positions at hospitals throughout southern California. Education majors enter teaching positions in local districts. Communication and media students tap into entertainment industry internships and entry-level positions. The alumni network is particularly strong in Los Angeles, with graduates helping current students navigate internship and job searches. Career services provides personalized support given the small student body. Graduate school placement is solid, with students continuing to law school, medical school, and various master's programs. The nursing program produces candidates for graduate nursing education. The women's college network connects Mount Saint Mary's with sister institutions across the country.

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