Saint Louis University

Founded in 1818, Saint Louis University (SLU) is a private, Roman Catholic research institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. It has an additional campus in Madrid, Spain. SLU is a Jesuit school, but students of many faiths attend. SLU’s programs in teacher education, law, and medicine are highly regarded across the nation. Notable alumni include filmmaker James Gunn, former CEO of Anheuser-Busch August Busch IV, and physician and television personality Jan Garavaglia (also known as “Dr. G.”).

Ranked 104 in the nation, SLU’s acceptance rate is 56%, and its graduation rate is 77%. Annual tuition is $48,100 per year, plus fees and housing costs. A total of 12,229 students are enrolled, and its student to faculty ratio is just 9:1. SLU offers 85 undergraduate programs and over 100 graduate programs. The university follows a semester-based academic calendar.

SLU sits in the heart of St. Louis, not far from the Mississippi River. With impressive architecture and ample green space, students can find a respite from urban life. True to its Jesuit heritage, Mass is held at SLU’s iconic church every day, and campus ministry offers specialized retreats, as well as mission trips. On campus, students can participate in more than 150 clubs and organizations, including over 20 fraternities and sororities. All freshmen and sophomores must live on campus, except for students who live with local parents, students who are married, or students who have been in the military for at least two years. Residence halls exclusively for first-year students are available. SLU’s Billikens compete in the NCAA Division I Atlantic 10 Conference; their mascot, the Billiken, is a smiling creature, similar to a gnome, which school lore says gives the teams good luck. Off campus, students can venture to downtown St. Louis, visit the Anheuser-Busch Brewery, or attend much-beloved Cardinals’ games. The famous Arch, signifying the “Gateway to the West,” sits on the riverfront, and its Museum of Westward Expansion is a popular site. Students also enjoy outdoor riverfront activities, including biking or strolling along the Mississippi Greenway, which leads to the historic Old Chain of Rocks Bridge.