Benedictine College

Atchison, KS

private nonprofitgraduate

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Quick Facts

“Forward. Always Forward.”

1971

Founded

Private liberal arts college

Type

2,236

Total Students

2,404

Undergrad

132

Graduate

$35K

Tuition (In-State)

$35K

Tuition (Out-State)

$27K

Avg Net Price

76%

Acceptance Rate

65%

Graduation Rate

6-year

80%

Retention Rate

Baccalaureate Colleges

Classification

President: Stephen D. Minnis

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About Benedictine College

Forward Always Forward: A private liberal arts college built on a rich Benedictine legacy.

Benedictine College, a thriving private liberal arts institution with a current student body of 2,536, invites you to discover a college deeply rooted in over 150 years of academic excellence and spiritual tradition. Embodying its motto, "Forward. Always Forward.", Benedictine offers a distinctive educational experience that shapes leaders for tomorrow.

The college’s rich history dates back to 1858, when Benedictine monks established St. Benedict’s College in Atchison, Kansas, initially to prepare young men for the priesthood before expanding to include a comprehensive liberal arts and commerce curriculum. Shortly after, in 1863, the Benedictine Sisters founded St. Scholastica's Academy for young women, which later evolved into Mount St. Scholastica College, offering junior college studies from 1924 and full bachelor's degrees by 1932.

These two respected institutions, St. Benedict's College and Mount St. Scholastica College, converged in 1971 to form the co-educational Benedictine College we know today. This historic merger united their legacies, creating a vibrant academic community that continues to champion the values of faith, scholarship, and community. Students benefit from a rigorous liberal arts education within a supportive environment, preparing them not just for careers, but for lives of purpose and meaning.

Key Highlights

✦A leading private liberal arts college with a current enrollment of 2,536 students.
✦Formed in 1971 by the historic merger of St. Benedict's College (men's, founded 1858) and Mount St. Scholastica College (women's, tracing roots to 1863).
✦Celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2008, honoring a deep legacy of education.
✦Guided by the inspiring motto: "Forward. Always Forward."
✦Provides a comprehensive liberal arts education, building on decades of accreditation and academic excellence.

Timeline

1858

St. Benedict's College founded in Atchison as a boarding school for men.

1863

Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica found St. Scholastica's Academy for young women.

1924

Mount St. Scholastica's Junior College opens for women's tertiary education.

1927

St. Benedict's College becomes an accredited four-year liberal arts college.

1932

Mount St. Scholastica's becomes a senior college, authorized to confer bachelor degrees.

1971

St. Benedict's College and Mount St. Scholastica College merge to form Benedictine College.

1989

Benedictine College terminates the lease of facilities from Mount St. Scholastica College amidst financial hardship.

2008

Benedictine College celebrates its 150th anniversary.

🏛️

55 Years

of Excellence

Leadership

Stephen D. Minnis

President

Data from Wikipedia – CC BY-SA 4.0

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