CSB/SJU sets record enrollment

09/11/2006

The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University, ranked nationally among the top liberal arts colleges, together enrolled 3,913 undergraduate students this fall. This marks the first time total combined undergraduate enrollment has exceeded 3,900 students. CSB’s enrollment is 2,027, its third highest ever, while SJU has an enrollment of 1,886. With a combined enrollment of 3,913, CSB and SJU have the largest enrollment of any national liberal arts college.

New student enrollment totaled 506 at SJU and 540 at CSB for a combined class of 1,046.

The academic profile of the new class is nearly identical to last years’ entering class but is more diverse geographically, racially and ethnically. In total, American students of color and international students make up more than 10 percent of the new entering class this fall, the highest percentage ever at CSB/SJU.

“We enrolled a tremendously talented class this fall. They expect a great educational experience at CSB/SJU and we expect they will go on to lead lives of meaning and purpose within their communities after graduating from the colleges,” said Michael Thorp, CSB/SJU associate vice president and dean of admission and financial aid.

Overall retention of returning students from spring 2006 to fall 2006 rose by one percentage point at SJU and by three percentage points at CSB. In total, overall spring-to-fall retention (the carryover from spring 10th day to fall 10th day, excluding graduating seniors) totaled 75 percent at CSB and SJU. Year-to-year retention rates at CSB/SJU are among the highest in the country.

Both institutions exceeded their new student, diversity and retention goals.

CSB and SJU are two of the three highest rated Catholic liberal arts colleges in the nation and the top rated Catholic liberal arts colleges in the Midwest.