Head-to-head · 2026
College of Saint Mary vs Metropolitan Community College Area
Compare average net price ($16,590 at College of Saint Mary; $4,982 at Metropolitan Community College Area), ROI score (8.19 vs 19.46), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($54,338 vs $38,773), and admissions context (44.7% at College of Saint Mary; Open / not reported at Metropolitan Community College Area) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | College of Saint Mary | Metropolitan Community College Area |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.19 | 19.46 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $16,590 | $4,982 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $66,360 | $19,928 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $24,510 | $3,375 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $24,510 | $4,950 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $54,338 ✓ | $38,773 |
| Acceptance rate | 44.7% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 60.5% ✓ | 29.3% |
| Retention rate | 79.8% ✓ | 60% |
| Median debt | $24,250 | $8,217 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 445 | 8,775 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1150 | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | College of Saint Mary | Metropolitan Community College Area |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $14,090 | $4,151 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $12,713 | $3,894 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $9,320 | $5,150 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $15,242 | $8,504 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $23,898 | $9,477 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | College of Saint Mary | Metropolitan Community College Area |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 3.2% | 27.9% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 15.9% | 3.9% |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | 7.9% | 3.4% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 4.7% | 5.6% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 8.5% | 1.4% |
| Legal Support Services | 3.5% | 1.6% |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | 3.5% | 0.2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Metropolitan Community College Area reports the lower average net price by $11,608 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $46,432 difference over four years ($19,928 vs $66,360).
College of Saint Mary reports $15,565 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($54,338 vs $38,773). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 79.8% at College of Saint Mary and 60% at Metropolitan Community College Area. Median federal debt among completers is $24,250 vs $8,217, respectively.
7 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
College of Saint Mary vs Metropolitan Community College Area, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Metropolitan Community College Area is cheaper — average net price $4,982 per year vs $16,590 at College of Saint Mary. The annual difference of $11,608 adds up to about $46,432 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
College of Saint Mary reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $54,338 vs $38,773 at Metropolitan Community College Area. The gap in the federal data is $15,565. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.