With about 9,000 students, the University of St. Thomas is the largest private university in Minnesota. It's also one of the largest Catholic schools in the country. Its various academic divisions include arts and sciences, business, engineering, social work, and education and counseling. The campus also includes a law school and a divinity school. Undergrads can pick from more than 150 majors and minors.
The school has a stellar reputation for graduate outcomes. According to Money's analysis, alumni tend to earn significantly more than peers who graduate from schools with a similar mix of majors, and 85% of St. Thomas graduates earn more than high school graduates — a higher-than-average percentage.
On campus, students can choose from over 130 student clubs and organizations, including clubs focused on aviation and ballroom dancing. In 2024, the school opened the Schoenecker Center — a $110 million building that will be home to what the school is calling “STEAM education” by housing programs for arts, engineering and sciences.
St. Thomas students can also take courses at four other private colleges in the Twin Cities. But the Minneapolis/St. Paul area isn't just for studying — the cities also offer an abundance of cultural and recreational activities, including a fine selection of winter activities, highlighted by St. Paul's popular Winter Carnival.
