Saint Mary’s College of California

Key Highlights

• Private nonprofit Lasallian Catholic college founded in 1863
• Active degree-granting main campus in Moraga, California
• Offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional-doctorate education
• Accredited by WSCUC and currently Accredited on Warning

Student Life & Environment

Campus life combines residential options, student organizations, recreation, athletics-related activities, and support services. Registered clubs are open to all undergraduates and cover cultural identity, academic and pre-professional interests, recreation and esports, faith, service, media, and other interests. Examples in the current directory include the Black Student Union, Muslim Student Association, PRIDE, Data Science Club, pre-health organizations, Gael Gaming, rock climbing, student radio, and the student newspaper. Because club rosters can change, students should use the current involvement platform when deciding what is active. Housing includes traditional residence halls, suites, and townhouses, with different meal-plan arrangements and prices. For the 2026–2027 cycle, new students used an online housing application and room-selection process. The College also advertises gender-inclusive housing options. Applicants should check whether any residency requirement applies to their entering class; the housing site references a sophomore live-on requirement for the Class of 2030. Student support offices include counseling and psychological services, a health center, disability services, an Intercultural Center, a Center for Women and Gender Equity, campus safety and transportation, and career services. Campus Recreation offers fitness activities, intramural competition, club sports, and outings. The Lasallian Catholic identity is visible in campus traditions and ministry, while official policy describes a community intended to support students from varied backgrounds and beliefs.

Location & Surroundings

Saint Mary’s occupies its main campus at 1928 St. Mary’s Road in Moraga, California. Moraga is a suburban East Bay community in Contra Costa County, separated from the denser inner Bay Area by hills. The setting may appeal to students who prefer a quieter residential environment while retaining access to the wider San Francisco Bay Area. Location should be evaluated practically as well as aesthetically. Moraga is not in central San Francisco, Oakland, or Berkeley, and trips to major employment, cultural, or transportation centers require planning. Students without cars should examine the College’s current transportation information and regional transit connections before committing, especially if they expect regular off-campus work or internships. Those bringing vehicles should review campus parking and permit rules. The broader Bay Area can expand access to organizations in technology, business, education, healthcare, science, arts, and public service. That advantage is most useful when a student’s schedule and transportation arrangements make off-campus participation realistic. Campus visits are advisable for assessing travel time, the residential atmosphere, and the distance between housing, classrooms, and local services.

Costs & Career Outcomes

For 2026–2027, standard full-time undergraduate tuition for non-BSN students is $61,416 for fall and spring. The published on-campus cost-of-attendance budget is $87,612, including $18,900 for food and housing, $636 in listed annual student fees, and allowances for books, personal expenses, and transportation. This is a planning budget rather than every student’s final bill. The BSN uses a separate three-term tuition structure: published tuition is $76,770 and its on-campus cost-of-attendance estimate is $102,330. Housing prices vary by room and building. The listed 2026–2027 annual rates range from $14,500 for certain lower-townhouse doubles with a 75-block meal plan to $21,300 for specified renovated suite singles or deluxe suite singles. Full-time undergraduates must have health insurance. The College plan costs $2,406 for 2026–2027; eligible domestic students may waive it with proof of coverage, while it is mandatory for international students and US citizens whose primary residence is abroad. Graduate tuition varies substantially by school and program. Prospective students should compare the published price with their individual aid offer and calculate net cost across the expected time to degree. First-year applicants receive automatic merit-scholarship consideration, while need-based aid requires the relevant financial-aid process. No unsupported salary or placement figure should be assumed. The Career Center offers appointments through Handshake, internship and job-search resources, career planning, résumé and interview assistance, workshops, employer-facing events, and support for students, recent graduates, and alumni.