College of Saint Benedict
College of Saint Benedict

College of Saint Benedict

Saint Joseph, MN, USA
Private
4 Year

Overview

Together, the College of Saint Benedict (CSB), for women, and Saint John’s University (SJU), for men, form a one-of-a-kind partnership of two top colleges – combining the abundant opportunities of a larger university with the small class sizes and personal attention of an exceptional liberal arts college. The 3,500 undergraduate students attend classes and participate in activities together, and students from both colleges share academic, athletic and dining facilities on both campuses. CSB/SJU offer a deeply engaging, highly residential, educational experience set on 3,300 acres of central Minnesota woods, lakes and prairies – just an hour from Minneapolis and St. Paul. Two thirds of CSB/SJU students study abroad – ranking the colleges #5 in the nation among undergraduate colleges for the number of students completing a semester-long international study experience.

Acceptance Rate:
88%
Average Net Price:
$27,960
Campus Setting:
Suburb or town
Average GPA
3.7
Average ACT Composite
25
Average SAT Composite
1213

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Affordability & Cost

Average Net Price
$27,960
Calculate your net cost
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$53,884
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$53,884
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$12,160
Books and Supplies
$1000
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]

Aid & Grants

0
100
91%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
21%
Average Aid Per Year
$37,252
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
21%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$3,473
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$32,668

 

Students receiving state aid
33%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$5567
Students receiving federal aid
78%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$3,473
Average Grant & Scholarship By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$49,028
$30k - $48k
$46,245
$48k - $75k
$43,292
$75k - $110k
$38,413
$110k+
$31,758
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$35,475,184
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$12,929,886

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
71%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$10,148
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$24,250
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$258
Students receiving federal loans
70%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$5,326
Average Other Loans Per Year
$15,782

 

Admissions

Key Admissions Stats

Institution Type
Private
  • Not for Profit
  • Roman Catholic
  • Women’s College

Need Aware

This school may consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission

Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Suburb or town
0
100
88%
Acceptance Rate
1689
Students Applied
41%
Transfer Acceptance Rate
16
Transfer Students Admitted

Admissions Requirements

SAT
SAT is not checked
No
ACT
ACT is not checked
No
Transcript
Transcript is not checked
No
Test Optional
Item is checked
Yes
SAT Subject Tests
Item is checked
Yes
AP Course Credit
Item is checked
Yes
Dual Enrollment
Item is checked
Yes

Important Deadlines

Application TypeApplication DeadlineReply Deadline
Early Action Acceptance is not binding, but student will receive admissions decision earlier.December 15

Rolling Admissions

The college has rolling admissions, which means applications are accepted any time throughout the year.

Common Application
Common Application

Admitted Student Stats

In-State Students
84%
Out-Of-State Students
14%
49%
Submitting ACT
3%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 25
0
36
Average SAT Composite: 1213
0
1600
SAT Percentiles

Math
25th
530
75th
630
Reading
25th
525
75th
615
3.7
Average GPA
Students Enrolled By GPA

3.75+
52%
3.50 - 3.74
23%
3.25 - 3.49
12%
3.00 - 3.24
8%
2.50 - 2.99
5%
Students Enrolled By Class Rank

Top 10%
31
Top 25%
66
Top 50%
92

Admissions Resources

Admissions: visit page
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Telephone: 800-544-1489
For Students with Disabilities: visit page
For Veteran Services: visit page

Academics

Key Academic Stats

Highest Degree Offered
Doctorate
Total Number of Students
1,470
Total Number of Undergrads
1,443
0
100
80%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
85%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
11:1
US National: 21:1
Academic Calendar

Semester

Non Traditional Learning
  • Online Classes
  • Online Undergrad Degrees
  • Combined Institution Double Degree Programs
  • Some Programs Requires Co-Op/Internship
Learning Options
  • ROTC Army
  • Study Abroad
  • Honors Program
  • Teacher Certification Offered
Classroom Sizes

2-19 Students
61%
20-39 Students
37%
 

Degrees and Majors

MAJORS
39

Faculty Overview

Gender
Male
Female
Ethnicity

African American
Asian/Pacific Islander
White
Hispanic
Unknown

Campus Life

Key Campus Stats

Residency
In-State Students
84%
Out-Of-State Students
14%
Size of Town
Suburb or town
US States Represented
32
Countries Represented
7
Ethnicity
African American
3%
Asian/Pacific Islander
4%
Hispanic
9%
White
81%
Percent of First Generation Students
21%
Student Organizations
96
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
Item is not checked
No
On Campus Women's Center
Item is checked
Yes
Cultural Student Resource Groups
Item is checked
Yes

Housing

0
100
93%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
Yes
Disability Housing Available
Yes
0
100
88%
Freshman Living on Campus

Athletics

Divisional Sports Nickname
Bennies
School Colors
red and white
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Not applicable
Intramural Sports
11
Sports Club
13

Campus Safety

24-HR security patrol
24-HR security patrol is checked
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Campus emergency phones is checked
Yes
24-HR escort safety rides
Item is checked
Yes
Mobile campus emergency alert
Item is not checked
No

After Graduation

Post Grad Stats

Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$57,000
Top 5 Employers
US Army
KPMG
Best Buy
Target
St. Cloud Hospital-Centracare
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$24,250
Loan Default Rate
1%
National: 8%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$258
Classes here are challenging, certainly, but we're not paying private school tuition to take easy classes! Of course, the level of difficulty per class depends on the prof and the type of class (101 vs. Honors 311), but overall expect to have to work for your grades. If you're willing to do the work and show up for class, it won't be hard. The profs are great and ALWAYS available for help, and with our Writing Center one can always get help with papers, so even difficult assignments are totally manageable.
Trish from Mankato
Yes, it is true that I am learning, though it is hard. I am majoring in Nursing, but people don't give up when I say it is hard. Of course, everywhere that you go will be hard, but never give up. That is the statement for myself Never Give Up. Honestly, I believe that if you really is passionate about what you want to become or the career you choose, you can do it. The first semester was hard for me, but I made it through. However, I didn't pass by Biology course to continue on my nursing planned course, but there are still many option for me to choose and continue my path. I am still passionate about nursing, though I know that I am just taking my journey a different route before I come back to my dream. As I would say is that you will learn a lot if you choose to, but if not, you will say that you did not learn a thing.
Jenny from Minneapolis, MN
College of Saint Benedict is the best place, I could ever imagine myself as being a part of. I love the atmosphere; being able to look up and see a church close to me right on campus. I also appreciate all the help professors give to students, given class size.
Lesly from Saint Paul, MN
the college of saint benedict and saint john's university is a wonderful school. it has one of the most beautiful campuses, and being surrounded by about 6 lakes there's and hundreds of acres there's always plenty to do and to see. the student to professor ratio is low and allows for easy access to the professor, and they have a genuine interest in seeing their students succeed, and it's very easy to grow your professional network.
steven from rogers, mn
I can definitely say I am learning! The classes seem to blend into each other, with topics I covered in theology overlapping those I am learning in medieval history. 111 courses, which are the most basic classes for a topic like psychology and chemistry, are typically more difficult than their upper division counterparts, but my advice is don't be discouraged. The teachers here are excellent, and they are always open for discussion at the end of class. Another perk is the class size, averaging around 20 students a class, so everyone is big on open discussions and individual learning; there are office hours for professors, but there's typically no need for them as any questions can be covered in class. I have yet to come across any lecture-style courses with 50 people in the same room, let alone 200 like the bigger schools.
Victoria from San Pedro, CA
CSBSJU is an excellent community oriented school. It focuses on quality of learning instead of a grade. The food at Gorecki is fantastic!
Samantha from St. Cloud, MN
this school is full of students who motivate you, professors who challenge you, and experiences that inspire you. the christian values of the school are evident, but in a good way and not forced on anyone. there is such a friendly atmosphere created that everyone feels at home, and there is something on this campus for everyone.
Lindsey from Brooklyn Center, MN
The College of St. Benedict is a place where learning and being actively involved are things that contribute to the way in which you act on campus. It is an expected characteristic of students on this campus that they study and work hard to accomplish their dreams. The classes are challenging, but you only take as much as you put into them. If you don't work, even if you may pass the class, you will not have learned a whole lot. This school is about putting in above and beyond effort in order to achieve your dreams.
Jenny from St. Joseph, MN
Professors are always willing to work with students one on one and class sizes are small so you know who is in your class and ou know your professor. You dont have to rely on a TA.
Caitlin
Everything here is great. If your looking for Minnesota nice, this is the place to go to for college. The view of the campus is beautiful and the atmosphere here is great. Classes are difficult but professors are always willing to help in some way. The only problem with this school is tuition, but Financial Aid will help and applying for scholarships is always a must.
Nkaozoua from Saint Paul, MN