Mount Saint Mary's University (CA)

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No College Consensus
AVERAGE: 69
No Publisher Consensus
AVERAGE: 58.7
No Student Consensus
AVERAGE: 76.9
Publisher Ratings
96.1
U.S. News - Regional Universities West
77.7
Washington Monthly Masters
Student Reviews
86.6
Grad Reports
75.1
Niche
Scores last updated on January 6, 2024
76%
Percent Admitted
43%
4-year Graduation Rate
2,440
Enrollment
11.0:1
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
$24,721
Average Undergraduate Students Aid
$46,740
In-State Tuition and Fees
$46,740
Out-of-State Tuition and Fees
= Average
Sector
Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above
Carnegie Classification
Master's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs
Religious Affiliation
Roman Catholic

Located in Los Angeles, California, Mount Saint Mary’s University is a private liberal arts institution and the only Catholic university primarily for women in the western United States. Established in 1925 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, Mount Saint Mary’s University (often abbreviated MSMU) has graduated more than 17,000 over the last ninety-plus years of its existence. A nationally ranked university, MSNU was named the No. 1 U.S. college “That Adds the Most Value” by MONEY Magazine. Nearly 70% of the University’s traditional baccalaureate graduates continue on to earn advanced degrees from either MSMU or at other leading colleges and universities across the country and approximately two-thirds of MSMU students have been awarded the prestigious Rockefeller Brothers Fund Fellowship for Aspiring Teachers of Color – more than any other institutions across the United States.

Academic Programs

Mount Saint Mary’s University’s mission is to offer a “dynamic learning experience in the liberal arts and sciences to a diverse student body.” The University’s mission statement goes on to declare, “As a Catholic university primarily for women, we are dedicated to providing a superior education enhanced by an emphasis on building leadership skills and fostering a spirit to serve others. Our measure of success is graduates who are committed to using their knowledge and skills to better themselves, their environments, and the world.” MSMU is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and has been so since 1952.

Mount Saint Mary’s University offers more than 30 undergraduate degrees and nearly a dozen graduate programs. Popular traditional undergraduate majors include Nursing, Pre-Nursing, Psychology, Business, Biology, Sociology, Pre-Health and Liberal Arts. MSMU’s graduate and adult baccalaureate programs are co-ed and available in Weekend and Evening Classes and Online and include programs such as Business Management, Business Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Liberal Arts, Health Sciences, Criminology, Gerontology and more.

Student Life

Mount Saint Mary’s University has a total enrollment figure of nearly 3,500, including well over 2,500 undergraduate students. The demographic makeup of MSMU’s student body include a large percentage of Hispanic students, at least 15% Asian/ Pacific Islander, nearly 10% African American and approximately 12% Caucasian. MSMU ranks high in student satisfaction; surveys have shown that more than 95% of seniors believe that MSMU “contributed to their problem-solving and critical thinking skills, ability to work as part of a team, and knowledge of a particular discipline.” Over 90% of students have indicated that they would recommend MSMU to others.

Mount Saint Mary’s University’s Women’s Leadership and Student Involvement Programs help to keep students actively engaged, providing a variety of opportunities for leadership education and skill-building through workshops, coursework, co-curricular activities and conference participation. At least 40 student-led clubs and organizations are recognized by MSMU with additional programs available including Leadership Boot Camp, Student Government Association, the LEAD Program (Leaders Emerging at Doheny) and more.

Ready to start your journey?

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Ready to start your journey?

Get a personalized list of degree programs that fit your needs.