Overview
The College of Saint Benedict (for women) and Saint John's University (for men) are nationally recognized liberal arts colleges distinguished by a singular, undergraduate experience. This partnership gives students the opportunities of a large university while retaining the close personal attention of a premier liberal arts college. The colleges are committed to global learning and connection — a commitment that extends to experiences inside and outside of the classroom. All students complete at least one experiential learning activity such as undergraduate research, internships, study abroad or community service. The campuses are located on 3,300 acres of woods, lakes and prairie — providing students with unique opportunities for education and recreation. Through a four-year residential program, nearly all students live on campus.
Students travel between the two campuses on the LINK, a free shuttle that runs continually during class times and on an easy-to-remember schedule during the evenings and weekends. It’s a short 10-minute commute between both campuses. Students can get in some extra studying or relax and enjoy the gorgeous scenery we’re famous for.
Religious affiliation: Catholic Benedictine
Student body profile
Academics
Students take classes on both campuses. In fact, CSB and SJU share one common curriculum. Classes are co-ed and graduation requirements are the same for both schools. Expect your classes to have a similar ratio of women to men as other colleges.
Learning options
Honors program
We’ve gone beyond the traditional “honors” model to create something truly extraordinary — a close-knit academic community focused on developing leadership skills and tackling social challenges. Our students belong to a supportive, 60-person cohort that engages with the campus and local community. They engage in community-based research and are mentored by a select group of outstanding faculty members.
Internships
Bennies and Johnnies work with our Experience and Professional Development department to receive support at each stage of their academic journey, including finding an internship. They also benefit from a dedicated alum network when it comes time to find an internship or job.
Pre-professional programs
Pre-Athletic Training
Pre-Chiropractic
Pre-Dental
Pre-Divinity
Pre-Engineering
Pre-Forestry
Pre-Law
Pre-Medicine
Pre-Occupational Therapy
Pre-Optometry
Pre-Pharmacy
Pre-Physical Therapy
Pre-Physician Assistant
Pre-Public Health
Pre-Veterinary Medicine
Study abroad/away
CSB and SJU consistently rank among the top undergraduate colleges nationally for the number of students who participate in semester-long study abroad. Before graduating, close to 50 percent of all CSB and SJU students will participate in a study abroad program. CSB and SJU offer 15 semester-long programs, of which 10 are faculty led. CSB and SJU also conduct a variety of short-term programs.
I love having co-ed classes and activities, but then returning to all-female residence halls and forming really close relationships with the Bennies. All the resources available on campus are helping me reach my career goals. My professors and classmates have helped shape me into an overall better, more well-rounded, and culturally-aware person.
Kelsi Nusbaum '23
Admissions
Cost & financial aid
More than 90 percent of the students at CSB and SJU receive some form of financial aid. The average need-based award, including a student's merit scholarship, loan and student employment, is $27,000. Scholarships range up to $26,500 a year based on academic, leadership, artistic and service abilities.
First-time, full-time students receiving grants and scholarships
100%
Financial aid application deadline
March 15 priority deadline
FAFSA code
002341 CSB
002379 SJU
Learn more about financial aid at CSB and SJU.
Student activities
With more than 100 student clubs and organizations, plus music ensembles, theater, volunteer opportunities, student government and so much more, there’s something for everyone at CSB and SJU.
Number of student organizations
100+
Types of student organizations
Academic clubs
Community service
Cultural or ethnic
Political
Student government
Student interest/hobbies
Community service
Our Service-Learning Program works with students, faculty and organizations in the surrounding community to foster successful service-learning opportunities that are relevant to what is being taught in the classroom.
Cultural or ethnic
CSB and SJU believe that learning to effectively navigate differences and new environments is an essential part of a liberal arts education. Multicultural Student Services empowers and educates students to intentionally develop mutually trusting and culturally agile relationships through clubs, workshops and connections to important resources.
Pre-professional
A pre-professional track at CSB and SJU guides the personal, academic and professional development of students with ambitions beyond their bachelor’s degrees. By providing student-centered advising and unique curricular and co-curricular opportunities, students are prepared for successful careers in health care.
Religious
The Catholic character of CSB and SJU is shaped by the Benedictine communities that founded the colleges in the 19th century and continue to foster Benedictine Catholic values in the academic, spiritual and social life of the colleges. Today, Benedictine women and men remain actively involved in teaching and administration, and their prayerful presence in community life provides the stable sense of home for which CSB and SJU are so well known.
Student government
Our colleges have two student governments. The Saint Ben’s Senate (SBS) is the voice of the students of the College of Saint Benedict while the Saint John’s Senate is the voice of the students of Saint John’s.
Fine arts offerings
All students with a passion for the arts are invited to apply for scholarships recognizing their artistic abilities, regardless of major.
Instrumental music
Concert Band
Jazz Ensemble
Small Ensembles
Symphony Orchestra
Vocal Music
Men's Choir
Mixed Choir
Opera
Women's Choir
Theater & Dance
Comedy / Improv
Dance Team / Club
Swing dance
Theater productions
I love CSB and SJU because of the small class sizes, the collaboration and interaction that occur inside and outside of the classroom, the helpful and enthusiastic professors, and the close-knit campus community that the institutions have to offer.
David Johnson '19
Athletic programs
NCAA Division
Division III
Conference membership
Midwest Women’s Lacrosse Conference
Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC)
Varsity sports
CSB and SJU are proud NCAA Division III schools in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. In addition to our 24 varsity athletic programs, we offer club sports and intramurals for students looking to get involved, try something new or continue a sport they love. Students can also enjoy an impressive variety of outdoor and campus recreation opportunities to stay active and adventurous.
Men's varsity
Baseball
Basketball
Cross-Country
Football
Golf
Hockey
Soccer
Swimming / Diving
Tennis
Track and field (indoor and outdoor)
Wrestling
Women's varsity
Basketball
Cross-Country
Golf
Hockey
Lacrosse
Soccer
Softball
Swimming / Diving
Tennis
Track and Field (indoor and outdoor)
Volleyball
Club sports
From lacrosse to rugby, crew and dance, our club sports teams provide the same level of camaraderie and competition found in a varsity sport. Some teams travel and compete against other colleges and universities across the country.
Club sports
Crew / Rowing
Dance Team
Figure Skating
Ice Hockey (men's)
Lacrosse (men's)
Lacrosse (women's)
Nordic Skiing
Rugby (men's)
Rugby (women's)
Soccer (women's)
Trap Shooting
Ultimate (men's)
Ultimate (women's)
Volleyball (men's)
Volleyball (women's)
Intermural sports
More than 2,000 students participate in our very popular intramural programs, competing against each other for bragging rights, an intramural champions t-shirt and a spot on the intramurals “Wall of Champions.”
Number of intramural sports
22
After graduation
Bennies and Johnnies have access to all sorts of resources and a tight network of support as you prepare for your next steps after college. Our Experience and Professional Development (XPD) department helps with career readiness or preparations for graduate school. We’re so committed to student success that we’re ranked the #1 and #2 colleges in Minnesota for getting a job.
Disciplines with largest number of graduates
CSB:
1. Biological and biomedical sciences
2. Business, management, marketing and related support services (TIED)
2. Psychology (TIED)
3. Education (TIED)
3. Multi/interdisciplinary studies (TIED)
SJU:
1. Business, management, marketing and related support services
2. Biological and biomedical sciences
3. Social Science
Alumni majors
Use LinkedIn’s alumni tool* to explore what Saint Benedict graduates or Saint John's graduates majored in and the types of careers they have and with which companies.
*based only on those who have accounts on LinkedIn
Contact information
College of Saint Benedict & Saint John's University
Office of Admission
P.O. Box 7155
Collegeville, MN56321
United States
Phone320-363-5060
Toll-free800-544-1489
Fax320-363-5650
Email[email protected]
Websitehttps://www.csbsju.edu/