St Catherine University

Admission to St. Catherine University is relatively accessible, with acceptance rates that have risen notably in recent years. In the US News Best Colleges rankings, the university has maintained a steady position, moving from rank 228 in 2020 to rank 222 in 2026. For undergraduate applicants, the female admit rate reached 91.8% in 2025. Compared with all private national universities, this acceptance rate is higher than 87% of peer schools, underscoring that gaining entry is broadly attainable for most candidates. However, the university faces competition when converting admissions offers into enrolled students. In 2025, the yield rate was 18.8%, showing that less than a fifth of admitted applicants chose to enroll. For prospective students, these patterns signify that qualified candidates face very favorable odds of acceptance, while the institution must work continuously to attract admitted students to its campus.

St. Catherine University follows a test-optional admissions policy, where standardized test scores are considered if submitted. For the 2025 entering class, the university reported test scores that place its median testing profile lower than most peer institutions. The middle half of enrolled students submitting the ACT earned a composite score between 20 and 26, with typical section scores in English and Math landing in the low-to-mid twenties. For students submitting SAT results, the median composite score in 2025 was 1080, which is higher than 9 percent of peer schools among private comprehensive universities. Testing figures for 2025 show that ACT submissions were far more frequent than SAT submissions, though a clear majority of incoming undergraduates enrolled without presenting standardized test results. For prospective students preparing an application, earning marks that reach or exceed these mid-range benchmarks demonstrates a competitive academic alignment with the typical admitted cohort.

St. Catherine University centers its academic strengths in healthcare and clinical disciplines, where degree conferrals and postgraduate earnings are most prominent. Undergraduate study is notably concentrated, with the top three bachelor's majors accounting for 43.3% of all graduating seniors in 2025. Registered Nursing is the university's largest undergraduate program by a wide margin, awarding 146 bachelor's degrees that year. While undergraduate nursing is the primary enrollment draw, the institution's highest-ranked programs appear at the graduate level, led by occupational therapy at rank 23 and physical therapy at rank 57 in the 2026 US News rankings. This clinical orientation translates into strong early career outcomes. According to 2023 earnings data, bachelor's graduates in nursing fields earned a median salary of $75,642 one year after graduation. International graduates comprise only a tiny fraction of degree recipients across all degree levels, showing that these clinical programs serve a predominantly domestic student cohort.

The student body at St. Catherine University is predominantly female across both undergraduate and graduate levels, totaling 3,651 students in 2025. Continuing undergraduates constitute the largest enrollment segment, followed by graduate students and entering freshmen. Among entering first-year undergraduates, Asian students form an important demographic group, numbering 68 students and making up 16.2% of the cohort. Asian representation continues across upper classes and the graduate division as well. In contrast, international student enrollment remains exceptionally limited across the institution, comprising just 1 first-year undergraduate. Domestic students from diverse racial backgrounds, including White, Black, and Hispanic women, constitute the vast majority of degree seekers. This creates a student community defined by strong domestic regional presence, substantial female enrollment, and very low international participation.

Undergraduate and graduate students at St. Catherine University exhibit very different age profiles that shape daytime campus life. In 2025, the university enrolled 2,498 undergraduates, who are predominantly of traditional college age. The largest undergraduate group was students aged 20 to 21, accounting for 24.8% of the undergraduate population, closely followed by those aged 18 to 19. In contrast, the 1,153 graduate students reflect a working adult population. The largest graduate group was between ages 25 and 29, representing 31.7% of all graduate enrollment, with another substantial segment aged 40 and older. This composition creates a dual campus environment, where traditional collegiate activities characterize undergraduate life while graduate programs accommodate working professionals.

International enrollment at St. Catherine University is minimal and has contracted over time. In 2025, international students made up just 0.3% of the undergraduate population, a share that is higher than 8% of peer schools among all private national universities. At the graduate level, international enrollment is similarly small, accounting for 0.6% of graduate students. Among degree recipients in 2025, international participation remained very low across all levels. In the largest undergraduate majors, including registered nursing, psychology, and diagnostic medical sonography, there were no international graduates. At the master's level, international graduates were concentrated in specialized disciplines, reaching 4.9% of degrees in Montessori Teacher Education alongside smaller shares in physician assistant studies and nursing. For prospective international applicants, these patterns indicate that St. Catherine serves an overwhelmingly domestic student body, with few international peers on campus.

Applicants looking at St. Catherine University can explore several other higher education options within the Minneapolis and Saint Paul metropolitan area. Just 1.2 kilometers away, Macalester College offers a residential undergraduate environment, holding rank 28 among National Liberal Arts Colleges in 2027. Also within walking distance is the University of St Thomas, located 1.3 kilometers away and ranked 156 among National Universities. For students seeking a major public research institution, the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities sits only 4.2 kilometers from campus and was ranked 59 among National Universities in 2027. Slightly further north, Bethel University is located 9.2 kilometers away and held rank 236 in the National Universities ranking. These neighboring colleges provide varied alternatives in campus size and religious heritage across the Twin Cities.

Campus safety at St. Catherine University has shown steady improvement over the past decade. In 2025, the crime rate per 1,000 students was 0.8, reflecting a substantial reduction from earlier reporting periods. Over the three-year span from 2023 to 2025, campus security records were primarily driven by disciplinary actions and property offenses rather than violent personal crimes. The most frequent category during this period was disciplinary referrals for drug violations, which totaled 10 incidents. Motor vehicle theft represented the leading property offense, with 8 incidents recorded across those same three years. Other offenses, including burglaries, stalking, and sexual assault, were reported in lower frequencies. Overall, the university maintains a relatively low rate of reported offenses, with vehicle security and substance policy violations comprising the primary safety concerns for the campus community.