Who We Are

"Everyone here is welcoming and it's like my second family, my second home."
—Megan Kanseneri, Cambria, California

At Saint Mary’s College, you feel as if you’re surrounded by sisters and friends. It’s a welcoming community of approximately 1,600 students, talented professors, and dedicated staff.

Small classes averaging only 15 students encourage close, meaningful relationships between students as well as between students and faculty. These friendships last beyond the college years, and Saint Mary’s alumnae return to campus to visit their professors and network with the next generation of Saint Mary’s students.

Saint Mary's College ranks among the top 100 “Best National Liberal Arts Colleges” in the U.S.News & World Report 2012 College Guide. Saint Mary's has six nationally accredited academic programs: social work, art, music, teacher education, chemistry, and nursing. 

We’ve practiced our core values of learning, community, faith, spirituality, and justice for over 160 years. The College continues to grow and prosper, with approximately 20,000 living alumnae. Saint Mary’s tradition of empowering women with excellent academic programs and spiritual support began with our founding in 1844 by the Sisters of the Holy Cross.