Benedictine College

With 50+ undergraduate majors and six master’s programs, Benedictine leans into its Catholic identity through required theology courses and a core curriculum steeped in liberal arts. Standout programs include:

• Theology/Theological Studies (9% of degrees, the most popular major)
• Nursing (6%, with strong clinical partnerships)
• Business (notably accounting, where students often hit 150 credits for CPA eligibility)

Small class sizes and faculty mentorship define the academic experience—think seminar-style discussions and undergrad research opportunities. The curriculum explicitly ties professional training to ethical formation, echoing the Benedictine motto 'Ora et Labora' (Pray and Work).

Campus life orbits around Catholic traditions: daily Mass, Eucharistic adoration, and student-led rosary groups. Dorms are single-sex with strict visitation hours, fostering what students call a 'chaste but social' atmosphere. Key quirks:

• Raven Week: A raucous welcome week mixing faith and frosh bonding
• The ‘Polar Bear Plunge’: An annual icy dip in the Missouri River for charity
• 80+ clubs, including a thriving swing dance society and pro-life activism groups

With no Greek life, socializing happens at campus-wide events like 'Late Night Breakfasts' during finals. Atchison’s small-town vibe means students road-trip to Kansas City for big-city thrills.

Benedictine’s 65% six-year graduation rate (2024) outpaces many regional peers, with nursing and business grads seeing particularly strong job placement. Alumni report a $36,427 median salary one year post-graduation, though this lags behind national averages—likely reflecting the high proportion entering lower-paying fields like ministry and education. The college touts a 94% placement rate (employment or grad school) within six months, aided by robust internship pipelines with Catholic dioceses and Midwest healthcare systems.

At $52,340 sticker price (2024), Benedictine isn’t cheap, but 100% of students receive aid, with need-based awards averaging $9,867. The college leverages its Catholic network to offer niche scholarships (e.g., for parish volunteers or children of clergy). A notable perk: the 'Benedictine Promise' guarantees fixed tuition rates for all four years, shielding families from annual hikes. Still, 60% of grads leave with debt, averaging $27,000—on par with private college norms.

Benedictine carves a niche as a unapologetically Catholic liberal arts college where theology majors outnumber engineers and dorm walls bear crucifixes. Its secret sauce? A ‘both-and’ ethos: serious about faith and fun (keg-free but never dull), rigorous academics and warm community. For students seeking a tight-knit, tradition-steeped alternative to secular or Jesuit schools—where Friday night might mean Mass and swing dancing—it’s a rare find. Just don’t expect progressive politics or co-ed dorms.