St Catherine University

Private · Moderately Selective · MN

Photo: Csjstpaul (CC BY-SA 4.0)

School data & stats

TypePrivate

LocationMN · Midwest

SettingUrban

Undergrads2,473

Student:faculty9:1

Outcomes

4-yr grad rate50%

6-yr grad rate61.3%

Drop-out rate19.7%

Study abroad—

Cost

In-state tuition$51k

Out-of-state tuition$51k

Application fee—

Community

Racial diversity53.1%

Gender diversity95.8%

International0.3%

IdentityRoman Catholic

Overview

St. Catherine University, in St. Paul, Minnesota, is a Catholic university founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. Its undergraduate core is one of the largest women's colleges in the country, though the university also enrolls men in graduate programs and some undergraduate tracks. The mission, educating women to lead and influence, shapes both curriculum and campus culture, and the Randolph Heights setting keeps the campus residential and close-knit within a larger city.

Academics

Health professions are St. Catherine's clear strength: nursing, occupational therapy, and public health all carry strong regional reputations, and the university's OT program in particular is one of the more established in the country. Social work and education are also long-standing programs. A required global studies component and strong study abroad participation are woven into the core curriculum rather than treated as an add-on.

Campus & student life

The campus sits in a quiet St. Paul neighborhood, giving students a residential, self-contained feel while downtown St. Paul and Minneapolis remain close by. Student life centers on the women's college identity, with leadership programming and small cohorts rather than a conventional Greek or big-athletics scene.

Getting in

Applications are reviewed holistically, with an emphasis on fit with the university's leadership-focused, values-driven mission. Essays that speak to service, leadership, or health-career motivation carry real weight in review.

After graduation

Graduates concentrate heavily in nursing, OT, public health, and social work, with strong licensure and employment outcomes in the Twin Cities health systems. The alumni network is tightly connected to Minnesota's healthcare and nonprofit sectors.

Worth knowing

St. Catherine's identity as a women's college for its undergraduate core, while coeducational at the graduate level and in some programs, is central to its culture and worth understanding before applying, since it shapes classroom dynamics and campus organizations alike.

stkate.edu ↗

Admissions

Acceptance rate91.8%

Enrolled mid-50%SAT 850–1140 · ACT 20–26

Test policyoptional

Rec letters—

Deadlines (2026–27 cycle)

AdmissionRolling

Applying