Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is a private, liberal arts university guided by its Lasallian Catholic heritage to awaken, nurture, and empower learners to ethical lives of service and leadership.

We've been providing a high-quality education-and student living experience for critical thinkers and world-changers for more than 120 years, but there's a good chance you don't know we provide:

• Strong tuition assistance-more than 99% of our students receive financial assistance¹
• State-of-the art business and science facilities
• Faculty who will know you - your hopes, plans, and goals-as they support you
• The best value among private colleges in Minnesota1
• Internships
• Practical, hands-on learning designed to make you both a thinker and a doer
• Dozens of sports, clubs, and activities to take part in, lead, serve and transform

• Our majors are in line with what employers tell us they need in employees.
• You will develop your critical thinking skills to allow you to look ahead and pivot when you need to in your future career.
• You will develop real skills that can adapt to changes in employer needs and your interests.
• You will find character and virtue education infused in every major, helping you develop your ethical perspective.

At Saint Mary's, you'll find a welcoming community beyond the classroom. There's something exciting on campus for everyone, including countless activities, the arts, and 60+ student-led clubs. Student-athletes participate in 21 NCAA Division III varsity sports teams, with the Saint Mary's Cardinals winning national titles and championships including the 2020 national title in women's softball.

Overall, St. Mary's students are "very friendly," and "pretty down-to-earth and easy to get along with" though students (like this graphic design major) say that "many cliques can be seen" on campus. Another says that "there's typically a group for every kind of person, but not much interaction between groups." Others say that students get along well, and that "you're [only] an 'outsider' if you don't participate in a club, activity, sport, or organization." Athletes have a large presence on campus and intramural sports are a popular way to socialize. Most students come from the area, and the school is predominantly white. St. Mary's religious affiliation means that many people are actively in touch with their faith, but plenty of non-Christian students attend "simply…for the education and college experience" and fit in well.

Community is a big part of the St. Mary's experience, and a biology major explains that this results in a "very 'on campus' school." The typical student is "involved in at least one or two extracurricular activities and has a healthy social life." "There are numerous clubs and…numerous sports activities. Virtually every night of the week there's a movie, athletic event, or some social gathering," so "St. Mary's is in constant motion." The school's lovely setting in the Minnesota hills means "students climb the bluffs and go hiking when possible," though most people agree that Winona itself "is not a very exciting town." "People do party" here. Although another student confirms, "being a person that doesn't drink, I don't have a problem at all…people respect those who don't drink." In general, St. Mary's students are very happy with their experience, but many admit that the dorms and science facilities could use an update, and that there could be more options for student housing overall.