Saint Martin's University

Private · Moderately Selective · WA

Photo: Farwestern Photo by Gregg M. Erickson (CC BY 3.0)

School data & stats

TypePrivate

LocationWA · West

SettingUrban

Undergrads1,158

Student:faculty11:1

Outcomes

4-yr grad rate42.6%

6-yr grad rate51.9%

Drop-out rate35.4%

Study abroad—

Cost

In-state tuition$46k

Out-of-state tuition$46k

Application fee—

Community

Racial diversity62.6%

Gender diversity56.3%

International2%

IdentityRoman Catholic

Overview

Saint Martin's University is a Catholic Benedictine university in Lacey, Washington, near Olympia at the southern end of Puget Sound. A community of Benedictine monks still resides on campus at the abbey, giving the university a genuine monastic presence rather than a historical one.

Academics

Engineering is a real distinguishing strength here, unusual among small Northwest Catholic colleges, alongside established nursing and education programs. Small classes and a wooded, contemplative campus setting support close faculty relationships across all three areas.

Campus & student life

The wooded campus and adjoining abbey give Saint Martin's a quieter, more reflective feel than most regional universities, and the Olympia-area location offers access to state government and a mid-sized capital city without the campus itself being urban. Catholic and Benedictine traditions, including the visible presence of the monastic community, shape campus rhythms beyond a typical religiously affiliated school.

Getting in

Saint Martin's reviews applications holistically, and engineering applicants should expect the math and science preparation review typical of ABET-track programs at small universities.

Worth knowing

The resident Benedictine community is a genuinely distinctive feature — monks are visibly part of campus life, not simply a historical namesake, which shapes the university's spiritual and communal character more than at most Catholic-affiliated colleges.

stmartin.edu ↗

Admissions

Acceptance rate89.8%

Enrolled mid-50%SAT 1025–1230 · ACT 16–20

Test policyoptional

Rec letters1

Deadlines (2026–27 cycle)

AdmissionRolling

Applying