students sitting on the grass in front of the Doheny Mansion

About The Mount

Our founders climbed this mountain with a vision for educating and empowering women.

Since 1925, we’ve graduated culturally conscious students who make a positive impact on the world. We’re leaders in gender equity research, innovators in health and science programs and we’re committed to social justice.

We’re the Mount. And we’re Unstoppable.

three students smiling holding Mount Saint Mary's gear

Visit the Mount

Two campuses. One incredible city.

LA is our home, and our Chalon and Doheny Campuses could soon be yours.

Inspiring architecture, breathtaking views, top-notch technology and access to the best Southern California has to offer — Mount Saint Mary’s is ready to welcome you.

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Four graduating students posing and smiling in front of the Mary Chapel at Chalon

The Mount at a Glance

Mount Saint Mary’s is the only women’s university in Los Angeles and one of the most diverse in the nation. The University is known nationally for its research on gender equity, its innovative health and science programs, and its commitment to community service.
#1 Student Social Mobility

According to U.S. News & World Report. Our grads go further in their careers, earn more advanced degrees and make more money.
#3 Most Transformative Colleges

Money magazine has ranked the Mount as a top university that significantly changes the life path and earnings for students who graduate.
13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Our passionate, experienced faculty are here for you. You can ask questions, voice your opinions and build a valuable relationship.
$30,510 Average Student Aid

Education should be for everyone. Our goal? Reduce the financial strain on our students so they can focus on their education.
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Mission Statement

Mount Saint Mary’s University offers a dynamic learning experience in the liberal arts and sciences to a diverse student body.

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.

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Mount Saint Mary’s University, Los Angeles is committed to becoming an antiracist university that pursues equity, diversity, justice, and belonging. We acknowledge that all aspects of our culture and institution are impacted by structural racism. We seek to address the policies and practices that lead to inequities across the university. We strive to build a community that educates, transforms, and supports the wellbeing of students, staff and faculty. We enact antiracism by confronting and healing racial tensions, dismantling the structural and historical legacies of white supremacy and other systems of injustice, in order to build a culture of belonging. We aim to incorporate intersectionality, increase representation, build our capacity, and work in solidarity toward unifying love.​​

Mount Saint Mary's University’s commitment to equity, diversity and justice (EDJ) is steeped in the tradition and legacy of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet (CSJ), our Catholic identity, mission and values. We are unwavering in our pursuit of inclusion, belonging and antiracism. We aspire to achieve our love of dear neighbor without distinction, which permeates all forms of social identities and human experiences.

We honor and celebrate our similarities and differences. We are committed to the full inclusion of the entire Mount community. Due to historical legacies of exclusion, we offer particular care for underrepresented populations. We define diversity in the broadest sense, including but not limited to, age, differences in culture, citizenship status, disability, family status, gender, gender expression, gender identity, generational history, genetic information, geographic origin, language, political perspectives, mental and physical ability, military service, national origin, race and ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, size and socioeconomic class.

Welcoming individuals from a variety of backgrounds improves and enriches our learning, living and working environments. Any breach of these values harms our community. Mount Saint Mary’s University transforms its culture through the radical pursuit of institutionalized change. We strive for a campus where students, staff, faculty, alumnae and all whom we encounter feel welcomed, valued and are supported to reach their full potential.

As we pursue our never-ending journey toward a more equitable, inclusive and antiracist campus in our richly diverse community, we welcome you.

We Celebrate Diversity

As one of the most diverse universities in the nation, we believe that diversity and social justice are fundamental components of educational excellence and the advancement of knowledge.

Fostering a culture of belonging

The Mount is a proud member of the first cohort of the Council of Independent Colleges' (CIC) Belong Community. In collaboration with the CIC, Mount faculty and staff completed The Association of College and University Educators’ (ACUE) microcredentialing courses. This badge signifies the Mount's commitment to creating an inclusive environment and equitable opportunities.

Harnessing the power of women

As a proud member of the National Women’s History Museum National Coalition, Mount Saint Mary's University joins more than 65 leading organizations committed to amplifying women’s voices, stories, and contributions. These like-missioned organizations have a demonstrated commitment to women’s equality, women’s empowerment, and/or women’s story sharing, and through their work with the Coalition, seek to support the Museum’s mission and goals.

Aerial photo of Chalon Campus.

Our Mount story begins with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.

Our founding

Since our inception in 1925, we’ve graduated more than 20,000 students.

Each of them Unstoppable.

 Learn more about our founders

Take the Next Steps

First years, transfer students, graduate students, parents — we’re here for you. We’ll help guide you through all the steps. Questions? Talk to us.

Want to know even more?