About Saint Joseph’s University

Founded in 1851, Saint Joseph’s University. is a Private college. Located in Pennsylvania, which is a city setting in Pennsylvania, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 5,377 full time undergraduate students, and 3,038 full time graduate students.

The Saint Joseph’s University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 12:1. There are 307 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Saint Joseph’s University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate77%
Application Deadline
Application Fee50
SAT Range1050-1230
ACT Range23-28

Admissions at SJU are considered Less Selective, with ,24% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 14 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

86% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 53% were in the top quarter, and 22% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE Reviews

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Saint Joseph’s University.

6%
“We”re apathetic”
33%
“We know about current events and vote”
50%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
11%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
11%
“We save it for the classroom”
44%
“Sometimes, but not often”
44%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
0%
“All the time, including weekends”
6%
“I”m always terrified”
44%
“I only go out in groups”
28%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
22%
“I feel extremely safe”
11%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
50%
“We bought the gear”
39%
“We live for the big game”
18%
“It”s not really our thing”
41%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
41%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
0%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
22%
“Available in class”
22%
“They keep regular office hours”
56%
“They”re always available”
0%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
33%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
61%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
6%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
0%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
0%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
56%
“We only party on weekends”
44%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
0%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
61%
“There might be people who do”
33%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
6%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
6%
“We”re apathetic”
33%
“We know about current events and vote”
50%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
11%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
11%
“We save it for the classroom”
44%
“Sometimes, but not often”
44%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
0%
“All the time, including weekends”
6%
“I”m always terrified”
44%
“I only go out in groups”
28%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
22%
“I feel extremely safe”
11%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
50%
“We bought the gear”
39%
“We live for the big game”
18%
“It”s not really our thing”
41%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
41%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
0%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
22%
“Available in class”
22%
“They keep regular office hours”
56%
“They”re always available”
0%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
33%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
61%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
6%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
0%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
0%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
56%
“We only party on weekends”
44%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
0%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
61%
“There might be people who do”
33%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
6%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    63 Students rated on-campus housing 3.5 stars. 19 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    45 Students rated off-campus housing 3.6 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    64 Students rated campus food 2.7 stars. 3 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    68 Students rated campus facilities 3.9 stars. 29 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    68 Students rated class size 4.5 stars. 60 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    68 Students rated school activities 3.9 stars. 35 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    68 Students rated local services 4.1 stars. 38 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    68 Students rated academics 3.5 stars. 18 % gave the school a 5.0.

Saint Joseph’s University REVIEWS

What's your overall opinion of Saint Joseph’s University?

6 Students rated Saint Joseph’s University

Victoria - 04/06/2024

The University City campus is a great place to go to school. It's a lot easier to make friends if you're involved on campus. I graduated right after we merged with the main campus. It was a lot at first but, it was so cool to get to know people on Hawk Hill through our DEI organizations. Go Hawks!

Mekhi - 01/02/2023

Saint Joseph’s is so far the best school I can ever enjoy my life to move forward with an education that I can go with it so that this chapter of my life can open the door for me as an adult that I can do on my own where I can go somewhere that I’m not far away from home.

Savannah - 04/25/2021

Saint Joseph's University is a college that I would recommend to anyone looking for a business-related degree. The majority of professors are excellent and aim to help and assist students in finding jobs and internships. While the school environment can be cliquey at times, if you find the right group of friends, it's a great time.

Alexandra - 12/02/2020

I loved SJU. It has its issues (Res Life is frustrating, campus dining options are less than stellar, there's a heavier focus on the business school than CAS), but my professors and friends within the student body made everything worth it. Seriously, everyone in the English department is great, and it's clear they care about you and want you to succeed. Now that I think about it, I only ever had one professor I didn't like, and that was for a GEP class. The number of extracurricular student groups expands each year, and Campus Ministry has a big presence. Greek life exists, but within my own group I didn't know anyone who was in a frat or sorority. People party on the weekends, but in general most students are either pretty laid-back or dedicated to their studies (it really depends on their major, based on what I saw). Campus is beautiful, especially in the summer and fall. My personal favorite buildings were Bellarmine Hall, Merion Hall (home base for English majors), Boland Hall (one of the fine arts buildings), and the Francis Drexel Library (the "old side" of the library). Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my time at St. Joe's and I feel like I got a good education.

Saint Joseph’s University FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Saint Joseph’s University?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Saint Joseph’s University is 77%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020, _____ students were offered admission.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    Live in every moment and look for the good in everyone and everything. College is tough, it is easy to judge people off the bat and is easy to get down on yourself. Before every new situation, take a deep breathe, and hope for the best even when you are the most skeptical. If you keep a negative outlook and assume the worst on your expeirences in college it will in the end hinder the moment when looking back on it. Everyone is afraid to try new things, but going into it with a smile and positive attitude can cause you to enjoy the stressful and challenging parts of college. Lastly, you will are ever evolving and learning about yourself, do things you would never do in high school, challenge yourself, continue to surprise yourself by doing things completely outside of your comfort zone.

    Read all 81 answers

  3. Describe the students at your school.

    Most people know eachother and are friendly. It is really a community feel.

    Read all 39 answers

  4. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    I love St. Joe's and the small school, Jesuit aspect. Everyone knows everyone, like a family. St. Joe's has some of the friendliest people I know. Most students try to live out the Jesuit ideals which makes a very welcoming environment.

    Read all 19 answers

  5. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    Freshman housing is very tight and limited. I live in room with two roomates, but the room is very small and cramped. The walls are very thin and I can hear every conversation on the entire floor.

    Read all 19 answers

  6. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    An inviting community.

    Read all 18 answers

  7. What are the academics like at your school?

    Professors always know your name. My favorite class was creative writing, least favorite, statistics. Students study about an hour a night, a couple hours a week. Class participation is common when the work load isn't heavy. There's a lot of speakers and lectures on campus and stuff if you wanted to have an intellectual convo outside of class. Students are definitely competitive; internships in philly are competitive because of all the schools. education at st joes is definitely geared towards learning for its own sake, unless your an education or business major.

    Read all 17 answers

  8. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    Our school pride at basketball games. Being a smaller based school the students really go all out for our number sport at the school which is men's basketball.

    Read all 16 answers

  9. What kind of person should attend this school?

    If you would like to become a very "well rounded" student, then Saint Joseph's is for you. SJU provides an education that allows students to explore a variety of courses during their time there. A person who actually enjoys attending class will appreciate an education at this university because of the rather strict attendance policies and expensive tuition costs. A typical SJU student expects an ample workload, but also makes time for fun on the weekends.

    Read all 15 answers

  10. Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?

    no

    Read all 15 answers

  11. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    Its location relative to center city Philidelphia and its unique marketing opportunities.

    Read all 14 answers

  12. What is the stereotype of students at your school?

    That we're a bunch of rich stuck-up yuppies who like driving around in daddy's BMW and spending his money. That we can't work for ourselves and like to have everything given to us.

    Read all 14 answers

  13. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    That the tuition would go up 12{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} a year and the scholarships wouldn't.

    Read all 14 answers

  14. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    There exists a clear division between those involved in everything and those involved in nothing. A portion of the student body is apathetic and unmotivated in their interactions on an academic and extracurricular level.

    Read all 13 answers

  15. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    Hand in Hand, Appalachian Experience, and Greek Life are very popular. There are many things going on at all times at SJU. I love that the city is so accessable to students, even without a car.

    Read all 12 answers

  16. What's unique about your campus?

    The people that attend the school because i have made many lifetime friends

    Read all 12 answers

  17. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    Our school is best known for our basketball team, The Saint Joseph's Hawks, our rich Jesuit culture, the Haub Business school , and our exstensive volunteer work

    Read all 10 answers

  18. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    Someone who is interested in different cultures/ethnicities. Someone who feels they can't fit in with kids who are wealthy, yet nice. Someone who isn't looking for many service opportunities. Someone who isn't interested in a school with a good group of alumni/ae. Someone who doesn't like smaller class sizes and close relationships with professors. Someone who doesn't want to see the same type of people everyday. Someone who gets annoyed by sororities and fraternities.

    Read all 9 answers

  19. What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?

    Many Caucasian well-to-do students that come from middle or upper class families. The majority of girls are known as being preppy and many of the boys are considered "bros."

    Read all 5 answers

  20. Describe your school to someone who's never heard of it.

    The campus consists of mainly Gothic style buildings and is run by Jesuits. The campus is beautifully decorated with many greens and trees and is continually growing. There are brand new class buildings, a freshman dorm building, a field, and an extension to the library. The campus is stretched out across City Avenue, so many upper classmen need to take the shuttle to campus. We take a lot of pride in our basketball team and our mascot, the Hawk. There is very easy access to center city Philadelphia, and there are many places to shop nearby. The academics are superior and prepare you for the real world. SJU also focuses on community service and joining organizations.

    Read all 3 answers

  21. What are your classes like?

    My classes are fairly small, no more than 30 students in a class (which I like). It's fairly easy to get to know your classmates and your professor due to the small class size.

    Read all 2 answers

Student Body

Students

55%

female

45%

male

5,377

Total Undergrad Enrollment

3,038

Total Grad Students

54%

Out-Of-State

45%

In-State

1%

International

Organizations

95

Student Organizations

3

Fraternities

4

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

32%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
3%
% Black or African-American
6%
% Hispanic/Latino
6%
% White or Caucasian
78%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

97% of students attending Saint Joseph’s University receive some sort of financial aid. 12% were awarded federal grants.59%received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$43,020

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$825

Books and Supplies

$14,524

Room and Board

58,369

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$27,875
$30 - $48K
$27,799
$48 - $75K
$30,361
$75 - $110K
$31,260
$110K & UP
$37,495

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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