Saint Mary’s College of California is a private, Catholic, liberal arts university. Founded in 1863 by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, it operates independently of state government funding. The college emphasizes personalized education, with a low student-to-faculty ratio and a focus on experiential learning.
As a private institution, Saint Mary’s relies on tuition, donations, and endowments rather than public tax dollars. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs, maintaining a commitment to Lasallian values. Unlike public universities, it has greater autonomy in curriculum design and admissions policies, though it adheres to regional accreditation standards.
