Best Colleges in America 2022
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Overall Score: 76.21

College of Saint Benedict

Saint Joseph, MN http://csbsju.edu/
The College of Saint Benedict, in central Minnesota, is the only Benedictine college for women in the U.S. It partners with a nearby men's school, Saint John's University, to share academic programs and provide access to resources on both campuses. (Its students are known as "Bennies," while Saint John's students are called "Johnnies.") The school admits students of all religions, although nearly half are Catholic. The school boasts a high graduation rate compared to many other Minnesota colleges, both public and private. Popular academic programs among the school's about 35 majors and 40 minors include elementary education, nursing and psychology, and Saint Benedict also has a noted fine-arts program. Cheering on the Division III football team of Saint John's is a highlight of the campus experience. More excitement can be found among the school's 10 sports teams and joint clubs with Saint John's, like art club or ballroom dance club. Other traditions on campus include a polar bear plunge in Lake Sagatagan during the frigid Minnesota winter and an annual maple syrup festival. With a campus surrounded by forests and lakes, outdoor recreational activities are also popular.

Costs

Est. full price 2022-2023
$64,000
% of students who get any grants
99%
Est. price for students who receive aid
$29,500
Average price for low-income students
$17,110

Admissions

Acceptance rate
80%
Median SAT/ACT score
1150/25
SAT/ACT required?
No
Undergraduate enrollment
1,740

Financial Aid

% of students with need who get grants
95%
% of need met
90%
% of students who get merit grants
25%
Average merit grant
$23,970

Student Success

Graduation rate
79%
Average time to a degree
4.1 years
Median student debt
$27,000
Early career earnings
$56,370
% earning more than a high school grad
82%

Notes: Students who get merit grants are full-time undergraduates who had no financial need and were awarded grants. Graduation rate measures degree completion within six years for both transfer students and first-time students. Early career earnings are the median earnings for both graduates and non-completers, 10 years after they first enrolled.

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, Peterson’s, Money/Witlytic calculations.

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