
Saint Mary of the Woods, INprivate nonprofitwww.smwc.edu/
Admit rate has ranged 67%–78% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College is a small, Catholic liberal arts college in rural Indiana that stakes its identity on a fiercely independent, women-centered legacy—though it now admits men online. It’s a place where the academic experience is intimate and hands-on, set against a backdrop of quiet, wooded campus life that demands students forge their own fun. With a notably accessible admissions process and a focus on preparing students for practical careers, it attracts those seeking a close-knit, values-oriented education away from the urban fray.
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
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Outcomes & value
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Compare on earnings: best colleges for Psychology
Campus & location
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Admissions at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods is notably accessible, with an of 72%. The process is , as SAT and ACT scores are considered but not required. The school reports that the average high school GPA of admitted applicants is 3.3, and among those who submit test scores, the middle 50% SAT range is 868–1052 and the ACT range is 18–30. A significant portion of admitted students—23%—report a GPA of 3.75 or higher. The application deadline is August 1 for SAT/ACT scores to be received. The college offers an early action plan, allowing students to apply and receive a decision early without a binding commitment. Demonstrated interest is a factor in admissions, as the indicates special consideration is given to students with demonstrated talent or abilities in areas of interest to the institution.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
SMWC bills itself as a Catholic liberal arts college where students encounter "fiercely independent thinking." The college offers more than 40 academic programs across undergraduate and graduate levels, including associate, bachelor's, certificate, and master's degrees. Its online program, Woods Online, allows both women and men to earn degrees. The most popular majors cluster in the arts, social sciences, and service professions: Visual and Performing Arts accounts for 7% of graduates, Social Sciences for 6%, and Public Administration and Social Service Professions for 5%. English Language and Literature/Letters is also a notable major. The academic approach integrates diverse leadership experiences into coursework, emphasizing preparation for specific careers.
Life on the wooded, rural campus is quiet and self-directed. Nearly half (47%) of students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing, while 53% live off-campus. The college describes campus life as complementing academics by "providing an atmosphere for learning to live, understand and contribute to a community." Students can explore over 20 clubs and organizations. It is a dry campus with no alcohol or party scene, which Niche notes leads to an active but alternative social life focused on organized activities. The campus atmosphere is built around people from different backgrounds coming together, with opportunities for personal development outside the classroom.
The six-year graduation rate is 47%. A decade after entry, the median earnings for graduates is $43,845. The average annual cost () for students is $31,872, which includes tuition, living costs, books, supplies, and fees. A typical graduate carries about $19,512 in student debt. These figures position the college near the national midpoint for four-year colleges in both cost and graduation rate.
The —the average cost after aid and scholarships—is $31,872. The college states that 95% of its students are awarded financial aid. The financial aid office assists students with grants, loans, military benefits, and scholarships. Students are directed to use the Net Price Calculator on the college's website for a personalized estimate. The average financial aid package is reported to be $22,669, bringing the cost after scholarships and grants down to $18,470 for some students. There is no indication in the provided sources of a "no-loan" policy or a commitment to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need without loans.
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods carves out a distinct niche as a small, Catholic, liberal arts college with a deep historical commitment to women's education that has pragmatically expanded to include men through its online programs. Its character is defined by its serene, wooded setting—a place that demands students create their own community through clubs and activities on a dry campus. Academically, it leans into practical, career-oriented majors within a liberal arts framework, promising "fiercely independent thinking." The college is defined by accessibility: a high , a policy, and a significant majority of students receiving financial aid make it a tangible option for many. It’s for the student who wants a quiet, values-based, and intimate college experience, far from the intensity of a large university, and is willing to be an active participant in building their own social and intellectual life.