Two Colleges, One Exceptional Education

The College of Saint Benedict, for women, and Saint John's University, for men, are two of only five Catholic institutions recognized as being among the most selective liberal arts colleges in the United States. The two institutions work in partnership to challenge students to pursue balanced lives of learning, leadership, work and service in a changing world. Women and men attend classes and utilize the services and facilities at both campuses. All classes are co-educational, and the two institutions have a joint faculty. CSB/SJU are sponsored by the Benedictines (Catholic); students from all religious backgrounds and cultures, however, are warmly welcomed and supported.

Location and Environment

The CSB campus is located on 800 acres of forest and ponds in the small residential community of St. Joseph in central Minnesota. The SJU campus sits in the midst of 2,500 acres of rolling hills, lakes and forests just four miles west of CSB. Both colleges are accessible from St. Cloud, a metropolitan area of 102,000 people just minutes from campus, and from Minneapolis and St. Paul, an hour away. A college-owned shuttle system, "The Link", provides frequent and convenient transportation between the campuses and into St. Cloud.

Among the Best in the Nation

CSB and SJU are consistently recognized as among the best in the United States. Below are some of our recent endorsements.

• U.S. News and World Report ranks CSB and SJU as two of the three best national Catholic liberal arts and sciences colleges.
• Peterson's Competitive Colleges lists CSB and SJU among colleges and universities that attract the world's best students.
• The John Templeton Foundation included CSB and SJU in its Honor Roll for Character-Building Colleges, which recognized colleges and universities that promote character and values development.
• Institute of International Education (IIE) ranks CSB and SJU in the top ten among bachelor's institutions nationwide for international study. 60 percent of CSB/SJU students study overseas by the time they graduate. In 2008, ranked #2 for number of students who participated in semester-long international study.
• The Princeton Review names CSB and SJU among its 351 best colleges in the nation.
• The New Media Consortium recognized CSB and SJU among the 50 colleges and universities worldwide as New Media Centers. The award acknowledged colleges that are proven leaders in applying technology to teaching, learning, research and creative expression.
• Barrons 300 Best Buys in College Education identifies CSB and SJU as offering a fine academic program at a reasonable price.
• With 4,000 undergraduate students, CSB/SJU are the largest of the nation's top 115 liberal arts and science colleges.
• Colleges of Distinction lists CSB and SJU among colleges that have engaged students, great teaching, vibrant community spirit and successful graduates.

Fast Facts

• Diverse student body of 4,000 students representing 37 states and 43 countries.
• Student-to-faculty ratio is 12:1; average class size is 22.
• Through a four-year residential program, almost all students live on campus.
• All residence hall rooms and apartments are wired enabling students to plug into CSB/SJU network software and the Internet 24 hours a day. Most locations "wireless."
• More than 65 academic, special interest, political and service organizations and more than 30 intramural and club sports.
• Twenty-five NCAA Division III intercollegiate athletic teams.
• Ninety percent of CSB/SJU graduates earn their degree within four years.

Inspired Learning. Inspiring Lives

For more information
College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University