Ethan Walker
Saint John's University is a private men's liberal arts college in Collegeville, Minnesota. It is one of the Midwest's oldest institutions of higher education, having been founded in 1857. The university is guided by Benedictine values and the Catholic intellectual tradition. The campus is set on 3,000 acres of lush landscape, forests, and lakes, with the Abbey and University Church at its center. Saint John's University shares a unique partnership with the College of Saint Benedict, a women's college in St. Joseph, Minnesota. Together, they offer a wide range of academic opportunities and resources to their students, creating a coeducational learning environment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of institution | Private men's university |
| Year founded | 1857 |
| Campus size | 2,500 acres (some sources state 3,000 or 3,300 acres) |
| Setting | Rural |
| Location | Collegeville, Minnesota |
| Number of undergraduate students | 1,481 |
| Ranking | #80 in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges, National Liberal Arts Colleges |
| Tuition fees | $55,816 |
| Class sizes | Small |
| Academic focus | Liberal arts |
| Partnership | College of Saint Benedict |
| Notable features | Benedictine values, natural beauty, strong sense of community |
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What You'll Learn
The Benedictine values and Catholic intellectual tradition
Saint John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota, is a private men's university. It was founded in 1857 and is one of the Midwest's oldest institutions of higher education. The university is set amid 3,300 acres of lush, varied terrain, including forests, wetlands, and lakes. The campus is centred around the Abbey and University Church, designed by renowned architect Marcel Breuer.
Saint John's University is guided by Benedictine values and the Catholic intellectual tradition. The institution promotes Benedictine values that create a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere, prioritising respect and personal growth. The university's partnership with the College of Saint Benedict, a women's college in St. Joseph, Minnesota, enhances the academic and social opportunities available to students. Together, they offer a wide range of courses and an extensive curriculum, alongside small class sizes and personal attention, characteristic of a top liberal arts college.
The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University share a unique partnership that began over 60 years ago and has strengthened over time. This partnership allows students to be part of a close-knit community that fosters lifelong friendships and connections. The colleges emphasise a coeducational learning environment, empowering students to thrive in and out of the classroom.
The colleges are consistently ranked among the top undergraduate colleges sending students abroad. They offer numerous faculty-led programs on six continents, allowing students to explore different cultures, undertake internships, and conduct research. The colleges provide a holistic, student-focused educational experience, prioritising the nurturing of the mind, body, and spirit within a community-based model of inclusivity and shared Benedictine values.
Saint John's University offers a unique and enriching experience, with a strong sense of community and a focus on academic rigor. The small class sizes enable close relationships with professors, facilitating personalised learning and deep academic discussions. The university's Benedictine values and Catholic intellectual tradition contribute to a well-rounded and transformative educational journey.
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The campus and its natural beauty
Saint John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota, is a private men's university set amid 3,000 acres of lush, varied terrain. The campus is remarkable for its natural beauty, including wetlands, several lakes, an oak savanna, a restored prairie, and hiking trails that wind through an extensive pine and hardwood forest. The Benedictine monks who founded the university in 1857 were forestation pioneers, bringing seeds from their German homeland to start large plantations of conifers from 1894 onwards. The monks' legacy continues with the university's focus on habitat restoration and vegetation native to Minnesota.
The campus includes the St. John's Arboretum, a living laboratory for student education and public outreach. The Arboretum encompasses 160 acres of the university's land, with 50 acres of prairie—including the Roscoe Prairie, the largest remaining piece of undisturbed Minnesota prairie—and 35 acres of oak savannah. The natural setting of the campus inspires spiritual and artistic reflection and fosters the Benedictine traditions of land stewardship, education, and environmental respect.
The buildings at Saint John's date from the 1860s and include ten structures designed by renowned architect Marcel Breuer. The Abbey and University Church, which sit at the centre of the campus, are a testament to the university's Catholic intellectual tradition and Benedictine values. Surrounded by nature and with a strong sense of community, the university offers a holistic, student-focused residential educational experience.
Located near the town of St. Joseph and about 70 miles from the Twin Cities, the campus provides a peaceful and inspiring environment for students to explore their passions and forge their paths. The small class sizes encourage close relationships with professors, fostering personalised learning and deep academic discussions. The university's connection with the College of Saint Benedict further enhances the academic and social opportunities available to students.
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The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University partnership
The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University are two closely related private, Benedictine liberal arts colleges in Minnesota. The College of Saint Benedict is a college for women in St. Joseph, while Saint John's University is a private men's university in Collegeville. The two institutions share a unique partnership that began over 60 years ago. Together, they offer the opportunities, course selection, and extensive curriculum of a large university while retaining the small classes and personal attention of a top liberal arts college.
Students at the institutions have a shared curriculum and access to the resources of both campuses. They can choose from over 70 areas of study and 37 majors with a coeducational model that emphasizes connections between students and faculty. Saint Ben's and Saint John's also offer graduate degree programs in nursing and theology for students who are ready to advance in their careers or fields of study.
The partnership between the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University allows students to benefit from the resources and support of both institutions. The colleges work together to create individual learning experiences that meet the goals of each student, fostering a community-based model of inclusivity and shared Benedictine values. The partnership also enables access to an expansive campus with natural beauty, including forests and lakes, and a wide array of clubs, organizations, and sports teams.
The two colleges are now led by a single president, Brian J. Bruess, who became the first person to serve as president of both institutions in 2022. This unified leadership further strengthens the partnership and promotes a cohesive vision for the colleges.
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The student experience and community
Saint John's University (SJU) in Collegeville, Minnesota, is a private men's liberal arts college with a strong sense of community and a unique partnership with the College of Saint Benedict (CSB). Together, CSB and SJU offer the extensive curriculum and opportunities of a large university, while maintaining the small class sizes and personal attention of a top liberal arts college.
SJU is located on 2,500 acres of lush, natural landscape, including forests, lakes, and the Saint John's Arboretum. The campus is known for its beauty and serenity, providing a holistic, student-focused educational experience. The University is one of the Midwest's oldest institutions of higher education, founded in 1857, with buildings dating back to the 1860s.
The student experience at SJU is characterised by its commitment to Benedictine values, fostering an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere that prioritises respect and personal growth. The small class sizes allow for close relationships with professors, enabling personalised learning and deep academic discussions. The University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, with over 70 areas of study and 37 majors. Students are encouraged to explore their passions and pursue their interests, with a focus on both academic and personal development.
SJU also provides numerous opportunities for students to immerse themselves in new cultures and gain international experience. CSB and SJU are consistently ranked among the top undergraduate colleges sending students abroad, with faculty-led programs on six continents. Close to 50% of students participate in these programs, exploring different cultures, completing internships, and undertaking research. The University's partnership with CSB further enhances the academic and social opportunities available to students, creating a close-knit community that fosters lifelong friendships and connections.
Overall, the student experience at Saint John's University is shaped by its strong sense of community, academic excellence, and focus on holistic student development. The University's beautiful and serene setting, combined with its commitment to Benedictine values, creates a unique and enriching environment for students to thrive and pursue their passions.
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Saint John's University history
Saint John's University is a private men's liberal arts college in Collegeville, Minnesota. Founded in 1857, it is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the Midwest. The campus is set on 2,500 to 3,300 acres of lush, varied terrain, including forests, lakes, wetlands, an oak savanna, and hiking trails. The buildings date back to the 1860s, with the Abbey and University Church at the centre of the campus, designed by renowned architect Marcel Breuer.
The university is guided by Benedictine values and the Catholic intellectual tradition, fostering a sense of community and respect. It offers small class sizes, providing a personalised learning experience and close relationships with professors. Saint John's has a unique partnership with the College of Saint Benedict, a nearby women's college in St. Joseph, Minnesota, enhancing the academic and social opportunities for students at both institutions.
The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University share a strong connection, with high school students invited to explore the campuses and learn more about the schools during special visit days. This partnership allows students to benefit from the resources and curriculum of a large university while maintaining the intimate and personalised learning environment of a top liberal arts college.
Saint John's University's campus has been described as incredibly beautiful and serene, offering a holistic, student-focused educational experience. The university's setting in Central Minnesota provides easy access to nearby St. Joseph and the Twin Cities, offering a range of activities and opportunities for students to explore. The university's natural setting, combined with its academic rigour and sense of community, makes it a distinguished and enriching choice for those seeking personal and professional growth.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, St John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota, is a private men's university guided by Benedictine values and the Catholic intellectual tradition.
The Benedictine values promoted by the university create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere that prioritises respect and personal growth.
St John's University was founded in 1857 and is one of the Midwest's oldest institutions of higher education. The buildings at St John's date back to the 1860s and are set amid 3,000 acres of varied terrain, including forests, wetlands, and lakes.
