
St. Norbert College is a private, Catholic liberal arts college located just outside Green Bay, Wisconsin. It was founded in 1898 by Abbot Bernard Pennings, a Dutch immigrant priest from the Premonstratensian Berne Abbey of Heeswijk, the Netherlands, with the aim of training young men for the priesthood. The college offers a broad curriculum with over 80 programs of study, emphasising writing and including mandatory religion courses. The campus is described as politically conservative, with about half the student body identifying as Catholic. St. Norbert's offers a supportive and inclusive community, with a focus on collaboration, service, and engagement with the world.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Institution | Private, Catholic Liberal Arts College |
| Founding | 1898 |
| Location | Wisconsin |
| Campus Size | 116 acres |
| Enrollment | 2,009 (April 2023) |
| Undergraduate Enrollment | 2,089 (fall 2023) |
| Student-to-Faculty Ratio | 12:1 |
| Religious Affiliation | Premonstratensian Order |
| Academic Curriculum | Rigorous and Relevant, with Mandatory Religion Courses |
| Athletics | 27 Intercollegiate Sports Teams |
| Student Organizations | 100 |
| Rankings | #90 for Liberal Arts Colleges, #74 for Top 100 Best Value Schools |
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What You'll Learn

Student life and activities
The college is committed to providing an inclusive and supportive community where students can thrive. This is reflected in its collaboration, service, and thoughtful engagement with the world around it. St. Norbert College emphasizes the importance of a well-rounded education, offering a broad core curriculum that extends beyond the classroom.
Athletics play a significant role in student life at St. Norbert College. The college offers 27 intercollegiate sports, with student-athletes competing as the Green Knights across 23 NCAA Division III varsity teams. The college has a proud history of athletic excellence, having won more than 160 conference championships and 15 individual and team national championships. Students can also access state-of-the-art athletic facilities, such as the Mulva Family Fitness & Sports Center.
For those interested in academics and leadership, there are over 100 student organizations to choose from, including academic groups and campus ministries. Students can explore more than 80 programs of study, engage in research opportunities as early as their first year, and benefit from small class sizes where professors know their names. The college also offers generous financial aid and a top-notch dining program, ensuring that students can focus on their academic pursuits.
The campus community at St. Norbert College is politically diverse, with a mix of conservative and liberal students. Half of the student body identifies as Catholic, creating a strong religious presence on campus. Students can participate in various religious activities, such as virtual meetups and lecture series, and open dialogues about important social issues. The college also organizes events like commencement ceremonies, fostering a sense of community and celebration.
St. Norbert College provides a holistic educational experience, nurturing the development of its students in every respect. Students are encouraged to explore, engage, and discover their passions, all while being supported by a welcoming community of faculty, students, and staff. With its focus on collaboration and service, and intellectual curiosity, St. Norbert College prepares its students to become engaged, informed global citizens.
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History and location
St. Norbert College is a Catholic liberal arts college located in De Pere, Wisconsin, just outside of Green Bay. Founded in 1898, the college has a rich history and is known for its focus on service, community, and academic excellence. With a campus size of around 110 acres, much of it borders the Fox River, and it includes the St. Norbert College Historic District, which features the old St. Boniface Church (built in 1883) and has been converted into a performance arts centre named Dudley Birder Hall. The campus also includes the Mulva Library, which houses the Center for Norbertine Studies, a research centre dedicated to the study of Premonstratensians and Norbertines.
As a residential campus, St. Norbert College offers a range of housing options for its students, with about 86% of them living on campus. The college welcomes students of all faiths and backgrounds, creating an inclusive and diverse community. The college's Norbertine founders emphasised the importance of collaboration, service, and thoughtful engagement with the world, which remains a key part of the college's culture.
St. Norbert College offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs, including business, education, biology, philosophy, and theological studies. The college provides a flexible and personalised educational experience, with small class sizes and professors who know their students' names. Students are encouraged to pursue their passions and interests through various clubs and organisations, as well as community service initiatives such as TRIPS and Into the Streets.
The college has a strong athletic presence, with student-athletes competing as the Green Knights across 23 NCAA Division III varsity teams, boasting over 160 conference championships and 15 individual and team national championships. The college's scenic campus, with its trees and statues, provides a beautiful backdrop for student life and extracurricular activities.
Located in Wisconsin, the college draws students primarily from the Midwest, including Wisconsin, the suburbs of Milwaukee, Chicago, and the Twin Cities. The college has a diverse range of students, with a mix of cultural and economic backgrounds, creating a well-rounded and inclusive community. St. Norbert College's ranking has been consistently recognised, with placements in the U.S. News & World Report and Forbes lists for best colleges and liberal arts institutions.
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Student population
St. Norbert College is a private Catholic liberal arts college located in Wisconsin. It was founded in 1898 by Abbot Bernard Pennings, a Dutch immigrant priest from the Premonstratensian Berne Abbey of Heeswijk, the Netherlands, with the aim of training young men for the priesthood. The college's second president, Dennis Burke, expanded the college, anticipating that the student population would eventually reach 2,000. As of April 2023, the college's enrollment stands at 2,009 students, with 2,089 undergraduate students as of fall 2023. The college offers a broad curriculum with over 80 programs of study, including mandatory religion courses, and encourages students to pursue their passions and explore their interests.
The student population at St. Norbert College enjoys a supportive and inclusive community that fosters collaboration, service, and thoughtful engagement with the world around them. The college provides numerous opportunities for students to get involved, including leadership, service, the arts, athletics, academic groups, and campus ministry. The college is home to 27 intercollegiate sports teams, known as the Green Knights, and over 100 student organizations, ensuring that students can find their niche and pursue their interests.
The college's campus ministry is an important aspect of student life, with half of the student body identifying as Catholic. The campus ministry provides a space for students to explore their faith and engage in spiritual development, offering a variety of programs and activities such as mass, prayer groups, and service opportunities.
The college also emphasizes academic excellence, with state-of-the-art facilities and a rigorous academic curriculum. Students have access to modern resources, such as technology integration, to enhance their learning experience. The college's faculty are committed to student success, offering research opportunities as early as the first year and providing a personal educational environment where professors know their students' names.
St. Norbert College's welcoming community extends beyond the classroom, with a First Year Experience (FYE) program that helps new students adjust to campus life and a strong focus on service and collaboration. The college's inclusive environment nurtures the development of all students, encouraging exploration and growth in a collaborative and engaging space.
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Curriculum and instruction
St. Norbert College is a Catholic liberal arts college located in Wisconsin, just outside Green Bay. It offers a broad curriculum with a focus on writing and includes mandatory religion courses. The college provides a nurturing environment for students to develop intellectually, personally, physically, and spiritually.
The college offers a wide range of undergraduate programs in more than 80 areas of study, leading to degrees such as Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Music, or Bachelor of Business Administration. The most popular undergraduate majors include business administration, biology, and education.
St. Norbert's curriculum emphasizes writing and includes mandatory religion courses. The college also offers a variety of extracurricular activities, including athletics, cultural, and artistic endeavours. There are also over 90 student organizations and clubs that provide a rich co-curricular experience.
The academic curriculum at St. Norbert's is rigorous and relevant, utilizing diverse instructional methods and assessments to maximize student potential. Technology is integrated into the curriculum, with 1:1 computing and the use of Chromebooks or iPads in classrooms to enhance the learning process.
The college's First Year Experience (FYE) programming helps students adjust to campus life and encourages involvement in various activities. St. Norbert's also has a strong focus on service and community, with a collaborative and engaging environment that nurtures the development of its students.
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College rankings
St. Norbert College is a private Catholic liberal arts college in De Pere, Wisconsin, founded in 1898. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,089 students (as of fall 2023) and a campus size of 116 acres. The college offers a semester-based academic calendar and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC).
In terms of rankings, St. Norbert College has been recognised and acknowledged by various organisations and publications. Here are some of its notable rankings:
- St. Norbert College was ranked #90 for Liberal Arts colleges in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges by U.S. News and World Report. It also ranked #74 for the Top 100 Best Value Schools.
- The Princeton Review ranked St. Norbert College as one of the "Best in the Midwest" for 2023, recognising it as a standout college within the region.
- St. Norbert College was named a College of Distinction for 2023-2024 in multiple categories, including Catholic colleges, Wisconsin colleges, Business - Education, and Career Development.
- Money magazine ranked St. Norbert 294 out of 727 colleges as one of the 2018 "Best Colleges for Your Money." This ranking considered educational quality, affordability, and alumni success.
- The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching selected St. Norbert College for its exemplary practices of community engagement.
- St. Norbert College was recognised by the Center for Student Opportunity's College Access & Opportunity Guide for its commitment to serving and supporting students from first-generation and underserved backgrounds.
- Niche provides annual rankings for St. Norbert College based on rigorous analysis of data and reviews.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, St. Norbert College is a Catholic liberal arts college.
Half the student body at St. Norbert College is Catholic. The college has been described as having a conservative tilt, but there are plenty of liberals too.
St. Norbert College is a small college just outside of Green Bay, Wisconsin. The campus is 111 acres (or 116 acres, according to another source) and borders the Fox River.
St. Norbert College offers a broad core curriculum with an emphasis on writing. There are mandatory religion courses, and students can choose from a variety of degree programs, including business, education, biology, philosophy, and theology.










































