Benedictine College

The academic mission at Benedictine is explicitly framed within the Catholic and Benedictine intellectual tradition, aiming to produce graduates who 'read, speak, and write well.' The college offers over 50 undergraduate majors and six master's degree programs. The most popular fields of study reflect both its religious identity and its professional orientation:

• Theology/Theological Studies (9% of graduates)
• Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (6%)
• Elementary Education and Teaching (6%)
• Finance, General

The School of Business notes that many of its accounting graduates complete 150 total credits—the requirement to sit for the CPA exam—within their standard four-year undergraduate tenure, a notable efficiency. The curriculum is delivered by what the college describes as 'top-notch faculty' with an emphasis on guiding students toward becoming 'critical thinkers' who are prepared for 'personal and professional' growth. This is a teaching-focused institution where the classroom experience is central, supported by a broad liberal arts core that undergirds all specialized majors.

Life at Benedictine is intensely communal and deliberately shaped by its Catholic and Benedictine heritage. The Student Life Office exists to 'promote community within the Catholic and Benedictine tradition,' offering a 'living/learning environment.' Niche describes it as a 'deeply rooted Catholic community where religious life is very active and enriching.' The St. John Paul II Student Center serves as the physical hub for this community, housing the offices for Student Life, Residence Life, and College Ministry, and hosting most student-related activities. The college oversees a full suite of on-campus life programs, including Residence Life, a Student Health Center, a Student Counseling Center, Dining Services, Student Activities, and Student Leadership Programs. This is a residential, all-in experience where the line between spiritual formation, academic pursuit, and social life is intentionally blurred. Traditions and campus events, promoted actively through platforms like the Student Life Office's Facebook page, are a key part of building and sustaining this close-knit culture.

Benedictine College's graduation rate is a key metric of its ability to support students through to degree completion. The six-year graduation rate for the Fall 2018 cohort was 62%. More recent data shows variability, with rates for recent cohorts ranging from 61% to 66%. The college also tracks four-year graduation rates, which are significantly lower (e.g., 51.1% for the Fall 2019 cohort), indicating many students take between four and six years to finish. For student-athletes, the college publishes separate Graduation Rate Reports. In terms of post-graduate earnings, data indicates median earnings for alumni are approximately $53,175 ten years after entry. Earlier career earnings are reported at around $43,628 one year after graduation and $53,317 five years after graduation.

Benedictine College states that 100% of its students receive some form of financial aid. The college awards more than $4.0 million annually in institutional student aid. The average net price—the cost after grants and scholarships are applied—is $27,891. Other sources estimate the average net price paid by families is around $28,629. The college provides a Net Price Calculator for prospective students to estimate their individual financial aid package. Eligibility for official aid is determined upon acceptance, and campus-based aid like work-study is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. The college's financial aid materials encourage 'minimal borrowing' and explore payment options to reduce loan needs, but Benedictine College is not listed among institutions that have a formal 'no-loan' policy meeting 100% of demonstrated need without loans.

Benedictine College stands out for its unapologetic and all-encompassing Catholic identity, which is far more than a historical footnote—it's the active, organizing principle of daily life. This isn't a school where faith is one club among many; it's the framework for the curriculum, the rationale for community rules, and the source of campus traditions. The result is a uniquely cohesive environment for students seeking an education where spiritual formation and intellectual development are explicitly linked. Its near-open admissions policy makes this deeply intentional community accessible to a wide range of students, particularly those from Catholic high schools or parishes looking for continuity. While its graduation rates suggest some students struggle with the academic or financial journey, those who persist are steeped in a specific worldview, graduating into strong alumni networks in fields like education, nursing, and ministry. For the right student, it offers a totalizing, values-aligned college experience that is increasingly rare in American higher education.