University of Saint Joseph

Admissions at the University of St. Joseph are relatively accessible, offering favorable odds for most applicants. In 2025, the university admitted 78.6% of applicants, an acceptance rate higher than 65% of peer private comprehensive universities. However, the university experiences a modest draw once acceptance letters are issued, as its yield rate was 12.2% that same year. This indicates that only a small share of admitted candidates decided to matriculate, with most choosing other alternatives. In the U.S. News rankings, the institution's position has softened over recent cycles, moving from rank 147 in 2020 down to rank 187 in 2022. For prospective students planning their college lists, these admissions metrics show an accessible pathway into the university, though the declining ranking position and low yield rate suggest that many accepted applicants ultimately decide to enroll elsewhere.

The University of St. Joseph uses an admission test policy that is optional, considered if submitted. For the 2025 entering class, published score ranges show enrolled students scored between 440 and 610 in SAT Reading and between 410 and 560 in SAT Math. The school reported a median SAT score of 950, which is higher than 1% of peer schools in the all private universities group. Standardized testing represents an accessible admissions benchmark compared to peer private institutions. Because submitting scores is optional, applicants who present SAT totals in line with or above these mid-range benchmarks will align with typical enrolled profiles. For students applying without test scores, high school academic performance, coursework rigor, and classroom achievement serve as the primary evidence evaluated in the admissions review. Meeting typical baseline expectations involves steady high school grades alongside standard secondary school completion.

Academic offerings at the University of St. Joseph are heavily concentrated in healthcare disciplines. In 2025, the top three undergraduate programs accounted for 55.7% of all bachelor's degrees awarded, led by Registered Nursing with 84 graduates. However, the largest undergraduate fields are not the highest ranked. While undergraduate nursing stood at rank 195 in the 2027 U.S. News rankings, the school's strongest nationally recognized standing is at the graduate level, where Physician Assistant studies achieved rank 93 in 2025. Outside of health programs, offerings receive far fewer degree awards. International students represent a very small portion of degree recipients across all academic levels. In the workplace, field choice strongly influences compensation: 2023 earnings data show that Registered Nursing graduates achieved median earnings of $89,593 one year after completion, whereas psychology graduates earned substantially less. For prospective applicants, the university functions primarily as a health-focused training institution where professional credentials deliver solid starting compensation.

The student body at the University of St. Joseph totaled 1,952 students in 2025, distributed between undergraduate and graduate divisions. Female enrollment represents a substantial majority across campus, and White students make up the largest racial group at both degree levels. Representation of international and Asian students remains modest. In 2025, undergraduate international students accounted for 1.3% of the undergraduate population, reflecting a very limited global presence on campus. Asian students also form a relatively small cohort within the community, numbering 14 among incoming freshmen and 51 among graduate students. Other student populations include notable representations of Hispanic and Black students. For prospective students, these demographics reflect a primarily regional student community where international and Asian students comprise small minorities within both undergraduate classrooms and graduate programs.

The undergraduate student body at the University of St. Joseph is primarily traditional college age, whereas graduate programs lean toward young working adults. In 2025, undergraduates aged 18 to 19 made up 35% of the undergraduate population, followed by ages 20 to 21 at 30.9%. By contrast, the graduate division draws an older cohort, with students aged 25 to 29 representing 30.9% and ages 22 to 24 comprising 29%. This distribution means bachelor's degree students share daily campus life mainly with classmates straight out of high school, while graduate classrooms bring together individuals who have already begun their careers. Applicants seeking a traditional undergraduate campus social dynamic will find peers of similar ages, even as graduate programs cater to working professionals.

International students make up a minor portion of the enrollment at the University of St. Joseph. In 2025, the undergraduate international share stood at 1.3%, which is higher than 15% of peer private comprehensive universities. Graduate international students similarly represented 1.3% of total graduate enrollment. Among degree recipients in 2025, international students comprised 2.3% of bachelor's graduates, 0.5% of master's recipients, and 4.2% of doctorates. At the bachelor's level, international graduates were present in modest numbers within Business Administration and Biology, while remaining absent from the school's dominant nursing and allied health tracks. At the advanced level, international graduates appeared in small proportions in master's Social Work and doctoral Pharmacy programs.

Applicants exploring colleges near West Hartford, Connecticut, will find several distinct alternatives across different institutional classifications. Located just 1.4 kilometers away, University of Hartford is a private national university ranked 288th in the 2027 U.S. News rankings. Highly selective liberal arts choices also sit within close reach: Trinity College is positioned 3.1 kilometers from the campus and ranked 31st among liberal arts colleges, while Wesleyan University is located 16.1 kilometers away with a liberal arts college ranking of 14th. For applicants seeking a large public research institution, University of Connecticut is located 24.8 kilometers from West Hartford and holds a rank of 73rd among national universities. These neighboring institutions provide families with diverse options ranging from compact liberal arts settings to comprehensive state universities.

Campus safety records at the University of St. Joseph indicate that reported incidents consist primarily of campus policy infractions rather than violent crimes. In 2025, the university registered a crime rate per 1,000 students of 6.8. Looking at cumulative category totals from 2023 to 2025, internal disciplinary referrals made up the vast majority of all documented occurrences. Specifically, alcohol-related disciplinary referrals totaled 101 incidents across those three years, while drug-related disciplinary referrals accounted for 11 incidents. More serious interpersonal offenses, including stalking and assault, were documented only in isolated single-digit numbers over this period. For families assessing campus security, these figures demonstrate an environment where policy enforcement regarding alcohol represents the primary safety consideration, with violent crime remaining relatively infrequent.