Saint Mary’s College of California

Saint Mary’s College of California is a private Lasallian Catholic college in Moraga, in the East Bay hills. It combines a residential undergraduate campus with graduate and professional programs in education, counseling, business, arts, and sciences. For undergraduates, two academic features shape the experience: the Collegiate Seminar, a sequence of discussion-centered courses built around foundational texts and ideas, and January Term, a focused term for study on campus or elsewhere. This structure suits students who want a close campus community and a broad liberal-arts foundation alongside a major.

Majors and graduate pathways

Undergraduates can choose from fields such as Biology, Business Administration, Computer Science, Data Science, Dance, Economics, Education, Engineering through a dual-degree pathway, Nursing, Politics, Psychology, and Theology and Religious Studies. The College organizes undergraduate study across Arts and Sciences, Economics and Business Administration, and the Kalmanovitz School of Education. Graduate and professional options include the MBA and business master’s programs, counseling and school counseling, creative writing and dance MFA degrees, teacher credentials, and an EdD in educational leadership. Because some offerings have separate applications or professional requirements, compare the current undergraduate and graduate program directory before choosing a school or degree.

2026–27 cost and financial aid

For 2026–27, full-time undergraduate tuition is $61,416 for the academic year, before living and personal expenses. Saint Mary’s estimates a total on-campus cost of attendance of $87,612 for most undergraduate programs; the BS in Nursing has a separate estimate of $76,770 in tuition and $102,966 in total on-campus cost. The College lists an annual health-insurance charge of $2,406 for students who cannot waive the plan. Housing, meal choice, transportation, books, and personal costs change the total, and graduate tuition varies by program. The College reports that students with demonstrated financial need received an average aid package of $49,283 for 2026–27. Need-based and merit scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study are available; complete the FAFSA early and compare your offer with the published cost-of-attendance figures and scholarship options.

Accreditation status: read the current notice

Saint Mary’s remains accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), but it is currently accredited on Warning. WSCUC issued the Warning in July 2026 after finding the College out of compliance with Standard 3, which covers resources and organizational structures; the Commission’s terms give the College time to address the findings, with a progress report due November 2026 and a special visit planned for fall 2027. The sanction does not end accreditation, but it is material information for students weighing a multi-year commitment. Review the College’s account alongside the accreditor’s current status and action record, and ask Admissions how the College is supporting students and programs during the review period.

Campus, visits, and contact

The main campus is at 1928 St. Marys Road, Moraga, CA 94575; the main telephone is (925) 631-4000. Saint Mary’s lists a single main campus in Moraga. Google Maps did not show general weekly public hours for the campus listing at the time checked. Undergraduate Admissions is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; visitors should reserve a tour or information session rather than assume every building is open. The College’s visit page provides current tour options and directions. The setting is scenic and residential, so students who expect frequent trips to central Oakland or San Francisco should also plan around the campus’s distance from those cities and local transportation schedules.

What students say—and what to ask

Student and alumni reviews often value the small discussion classes, approachable professors, campus beauty, and close relationships that can form in a residential college. Some reviewers describe a quieter or cliquish social scene and criticize housing, dining, or the price; experiences vary by year, program, and whether a student lives on campus. Recent discussion also reflects concern about the College’s accreditation Warning, which is why it should be part of an applicant’s conversation rather than buried in fine print. Read a range of student perspectives, then ask current students about seminar workload, residence and meal options, support services, and how the College is communicating its progress with WSCUC.