College of Saint Benedict

Academics at the College of Saint Benedict are fundamentally intertwined with those of Saint John's University, forming a single, coeducational academic program. Students—'Bennies' from Saint Benedict and 'Johnnies' from Saint John's—choose from more than 70 areas of study and 37 majors across the two campuses. The curriculum is designed to foster broad, collaborative thinking and illuminate the relationships between the arts, sciences, and humanities, equipping students with real-world skills. Popular majors include Education, Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, and Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs. The academic model emphasizes unique connections between students and faculty, supported by a close-knit community. This partnership, which has lasted for over 60 years, is described as providing 'a well-rounded education...ready to take on the world.' The range of majors spans Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; and the Visual and Performing Arts.

Student life is defined by the unique partnership between two vibrant campuses and a deeply engaged community. With more than 100 student clubs and organizations, plus music ensembles, theater, volunteer opportunities, and student government, there is a rich array of activities. This close-knit community fosters growth, leadership, and lifelong learning. The partnership offers the educational choices and resources of a larger university while maintaining the individual attention of a small college. Students and alumni highlight the strong sense of community and supportive environment cultivated by both faculty and peers. The shared experience between the College of Saint Benedict (a women's college) and Saint John's University (a men's college) creates a dynamic social and intellectual environment where students from both institutions share in academic, social, and experiential opportunities.

The College of Saint Benedict demonstrates strong student outcomes, particularly in graduation rates. The institution reports a 91% graduation rate for its combined student body with Saint John's University. Other sources cite a 77% graduation rate, a 79% six-year graduation rate, and an 83% graduation rate for four-year programs. One report indicates that 78% of students complete their degrees within 150% of normal time. Outcomes are a significant component of institutional rankings, accounting for 57% of the ranking methodology in one national list, which includes factors like the average six-year graduation rate and the rate for Pell Grant recipients. The institution's outcomes are positioned favorably compared to Minnesota private colleges overall, with 73% of CSB+SJU graduates achieving a benchmark compared to a 68% average for the state's private colleges.

The average annual net price after aid—which includes tuition, living costs, books, supplies, and fees minus average grants and scholarships—is $26,640. A significant majority of students (81%) apply for need-based aid. Among those, 64% receive need-based financial aid, and for 44% of recipients, the demonstrated financial need is fully met. The institution offers a Net Price Calculator to help families gauge preliminary eligibility for federal, state, and institutional aid. To be considered for need-based aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year. CSB+SJU participates in all major federal and state loan programs, with some loans being need-based. Scholarship aid is also available, with one source reporting an average scholarship award of $37,837. The financial aid office provides interest-free loan options for first-year students, with repayment deferred until six months after leaving college.

The College of Saint Benedict stands out for its singular coordinate college model with Saint John's University—a partnership that is both historic and functionally seamless. This isn't a consortium or an exchange program; it's one coeducational academic program shared between a women's college and a men's college, offering the community and identity of a single-sex institution alongside the collaborative classroom and social dynamics of a coed one. For over six decades, this model has provided what one guide calls 'a well-rounded education...ready to take on the world,' delivered through a tight-knit, Benedictine-values-based community. Students get the expansive course offerings, resources, and community of two colleges while receiving the intense faculty mentorship typical of a small liberal arts school. It’s a unique formula that produces strong graduation rates and a notably loyal alumni network, all set within the serene lakes and forests of central Minnesota.