Overview
Grounded in Lasallian Catholic values, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota awakens, nurtures and empowers learners to ethical lives of service and leadership. Whether in person or online, adult or undergraduate, students are treated with respect, taught with humanity, and supported by faculty and staff committed to their success in programs designed to prepare graduates for today’s and tomorrow’s careers. Founded in 1912 and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota enrolls nearly 5,000 students at its undergraduate and graduate programs on campuses in Minneapolis, Rochester, Winona and online. Saint Mary’s offers a highly personal, real-world-ready educational experience that fully prepares students to work, lead and serve with character and purpose.
As members of the Saint Mary's community, students are part of the great international Lasallian network. This group of educational institutions distributed around the world is dedicated to quality student-centered education and learning in the Lasallian Catholic tradition. Students choose Saint Mary’s for any number of reasons, among them: Our welcoming community; our commitment to walking alongside each student, every step of the way; our intentional focus on practical, hands-on learning experiences; and our dedication to helping students form connections that will guide them in their post-graduate lives.
Religious affiliation: Roman Catholic
Student body profile
Academics
The way we teach and learn at Saint Mary’s has the power to change a student’s life. Our strong degree programs, caring faculty and supportive academic services help students to reach their goals. Students are known by their professors and each other. No matter the program or major, students build a network of professionals to support and contribute to post-graduate success.
Learning options
Dual-degree programs
Honors program (see details below)
Intercampus agreements
Internships (see details below)
Pre-professional programs (see details below)
Satellite campuses
Study abroad/away (see details below)
Teacher licensure programs
Honors program
The Lasallian Honors Program shape students to become difference-makers in the community and the world. Students who demonstrated outstanding academic achievements in high school or at their previous college or university can enroll in the Honors Program as a way to complete all of their general education requirements at Saint Mary’s.
Internships
Career Services provides workshops, events and 1:1 career coaching to assist students with all aspects of their career development ranging from self-assessment, to help preparing and searching for internships and employment opportunities.
Study abroad/away
Saint Mary’s study-abroad programs include our London program as well as short-term study-abroad options in locations like England, France, Italy and Mexico. Saint Mary’s students may also take advantage of many opportunities offered through a variety of affiliated programs.
Pre-professional programs
Pre-Chemical Engineering
Pre-Chiropractic
Pre-Dentistry
Pre-English & Law
Pre-Law
Pre-Medicine
Pre-Occupational Therapy
Pre-Optometry
Pre-Pharmacy
Pre-Physical Therapy
Pre-Physician Assistant Studies
Pre-Theology
Pre-Veterinary Science
Professors at Saint Mary's are personable and ensure you are prepared for your future. The beautiful campus becomes your home, and there is a real sense of community, making everyone at Saint Mary's feel like your family.
Cassandra Sepp '22
Admissions
At Saint Mary’s, we understand there are many paths to earning your degree. Whether searching for the next step after high school or looking to transfer to Saint Mary’s Winona Campus, the Office of Admission is here to support prospective students.
Cost & financial aid
About 99 percent of all full-time Saint Mary's undergraduates receive more than $60 million in financial aid. About $45 million is provided by Saint Mary's as need-based or merit scholarships and grants. The remainder is federal or state aid, loans and work study
First-time, full-time students receiving grants and scholarships
100%
Financial aid application deadline
Students notified on a rolling basis beginning Jan. 15
FAFSA code
002380
Learn more about financial aid at Saint Mary's.
Student activities
The Winona Campus features a wide variety of student activities, organizations, clubs, fraternities and sororities and student government bodies to offer the opportunity not only for recreation, but also for enormous personal, social and career growth. Students can connect with other students who have similar — or different — views, aspirations and concerns.
Number of student organizations
55
Types of student organizations
Academic clubs (see details below)
Community service (see details below)
Cultural or ethnic (see details below)
Greek organizations
Honor societies
Political (see details below)
Pre-professional (see details below)
Religious (see details below)
Student interest/hobbies
Student government (see details below)
Academic clubs
Saint Mary’s offers various academic clubs such as biology, chemistry and physics, data analytics, math and computer science, and business-related clubs. These clubs offer students an opportunity to meet with like-minded individuals, promote student leadership, celebrate student success and develop vocational competencies.
Community service
Saint Mary’s students, employees, and alumni from around the nation participate in hometown service projects each year as part of Lasallian Day of Service. As service is an important component of our mission, a variety of service options exist for students year-round including fundraisers, cleanups, and clubs dedicated to service like Habitat for Humanity, S.O.U.L. (Serving Others United in Love) and BUDDIES.
Cultural or ethnic
Black Students and Allies fosters education and personal development through diversity, academics, and social services. Merging Intercultural Experiences (MIX), is a support, service and educational organization with the mission of ensuring that all persons of diverse ethnic backgrounds have a forum to bring issues of human difference to the table.
Political
Both the College Republicans and College Democrats are active, yet often combine efforts for projects like encouraging students to vote and promoting civil discourse.
Pre-professional
Cardinals Connecting Cardinals is a student led organization that aims to connect current students with Alumni of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Members of the CCC will build connections with Saint Mary’s Alumni, run events with undergraduate students on campus, promote philanthropy and be a leader among fellow students. The P/R Business and Entrepreneurship Club gives students exposure to specific positions in the Public Relations and Business fields. This is done through field trips to businesses in the Twin Cities, Rochester, La Crosse and Winona area.
Religious
The Office of Campus Ministry serves all undergraduate and graduate students, regardless of their faith backgrounds, to promote an inclusive campus through events and engagement opportunities that build relationships and community, foster a culture of community service, explore conversations of faith, and allow opportunities to flourish in a rich sacramental life. We believe, wholeheartedly, in celebrating the image of God in each person and invite everyone to become the hands and feet of the Lasallian Catholic mission—a mission that emphasizes respecting everyone, pursuing knowledge, celebrating diversity, advocating for justice, and having faith in the presence of God.
Student government
The Student Senate is the official representative and voice of the undergraduate student body. Their mission is to act as the official representative of the undergraduate student body on the Winona campus by articulating student views while pursuing best interests with the Board of Trustees, the administration, and faculty in order to promote mutual cooperation, understanding and transparency to further enhance the quality of education, life on campus, including student organizations, social, cultural, spiritual and co-curricular activities.
Fine arts offerings
The university is committed to providing rich co-curricular and extra-curricular opportunities for students to engage and participate in music, theatre, and other creative arts.
Instrumental Music
Concert Band
Jazz Ensemble
Pep Band
Small Ensembles
Symphony Orchestra
Vocal Music
Men's Choir
Women's Choir
Theater & Dance
Comedy / Improv
Dance Company
Theater productions
Athletic programs
NCAA Division
Division III
Conference membership
Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC)
Our student athletes represent more than a third of our undergraduate student body. In addition to being scholars and athletes, many of them are our most active students. The NCAA office named Saint Mary’s the NCAA Division III Team Works Service Challenge winner. Our student-athletes reached the highest-ever combined grade point average - just above a 3.3 in 2020-21 academic year. In recognition of their accomplishments in the classroom, this past fall 42 Saint Mary’s fall student-athletes earned 2021 Academic All-Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference recognition.
Men's varsity
Baseball
Basketball
Cross-Country
Hockey
Soccer
Tennis
Track and field (indoor and outdoor)
Women's varsity
Basketball
Cross-Country
Hockey
Soccer
Softball
Tennis
Track and Field (indoor and outdoor)
Volleyball
Club sports
Number of club sports
7
Students on the Winona Campus looking to stay active and participate in athletics outside of NCAA competition can take part in multiple club sports, which include ballroom dancing, men’s hockey, Nordic skiing, soccer, ultimate frisbee, dance team and trapshooting.
Intramural sports
Number of intramural sports
20
Intramural sports at Saint Mary’s offer a fun way to stay fit, enjoy friendly (but fierce!) competition and make connections. Options include team sports, individual sports and special events. The goal is an activity for everyone and everyone in an activity.
After graduation
Our class of 2021 has already made their marks off campus — 92 percent of graduate survey respondents are employed full-time, attending or applying to graduate school, or participating in a long-term volunteer placement. And of those employed full-time, 92 percent are working in a field related to their major.
Disciplines with largest number of graduates
1. Business, management, marketing and related support services
2. Health professions and related programs
3. Biological and biomedical sciences (TIED)
3. Multi/interdisciplinary studies (TIED)
Alumni majors
Use LinkedIn’s alumni tool* to explore what Saint Mary'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
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Office of Admission
700 Terrace Heights
Winona, MN55987
United States
Phone507-457-1700
Toll-free800-635-5987
Fax507-457-1722
Email[email protected]
Websitehttps://smumn.edu/