Saint Louis University

About Saint Louis University

Saint Louis University is a comprehensive university rather than a narrowly specialized college. It enrolls students in undergraduate, graduate and professional education and maintains schools in areas such as arts and sciences, business, education, science and engineering, law, medicine, nursing, public health and social work. The institution is Roman Catholic and part of the Jesuit educational tradition, but its academic and student-support offerings serve a broader community of backgrounds and beliefs. SLU began as Saint Louis Academy in 1818 and received its university charter in 1832. Today, its principal campus is in St. Louis, with additional study available through its Madrid campus and fully online programs. This structure creates choices for international study and flexible delivery, although program availability and requirements differ by location. The university’s academic profile spans bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral education. Its 2026-27 catalog also lists professional degrees, certificates, minors, dual degrees and accelerated bachelor’s-to-graduate pathways. The breadth is useful for students who want access to health professions, research, engineering or professional education within the same institution. Applicants should still evaluate their intended school closely: curriculum, accreditation, progression rules, clinical or flight requirements, and tuition can vary by program. SLU’s Jesuit mission is visible in its common undergraduate core, service opportunities and emphasis on ethical reflection rather than being limited to religious study.

For first-time freshman admission, SLU accepts its own online application and the Common Application. The university requires an application, official high-school academic record and personal essay. The SLU application carries no undergraduate application fee. Teacher recommendations are encouraged but not universally required. Requirements for transfer, graduate, online and professional applicants are separate, so those students should use the relevant program’s admissions page rather than applying freshman rules. SLU’s undergraduate process is test-optional: applicants may choose whether to submit SAT or ACT results, and scores are not required for general admission or merit-scholarship consideration. The university does not superscore submitted tests. International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through an accepted route; the current freshman requirements page lists options including an 80 TOEFL iBT or 6.5 IELTS, among other qualifying evidence. Program-specific requirements may be stricter. The published freshman cycle offers binding Early Decision I and II, non-binding Early Action and Regular Decision. Current listed deadlines include November 1 for Early Decision I, December 1 for Early Action and January 16 for Early Decision II. Regular Decision is preferred by April 1, with applications considered afterward while space and scholarship funding remain. Flight science, nursing, occupational therapy and physical therapy have earlier program constraints, so applicants should verify their major’s current deadline. Honors, scholars and competitive scholarship programs use separate applications and dates.

SLU’s 2026-27 catalog documents a broad portfolio of undergraduate, graduate and professional programs. Undergraduates can pursue fields across the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, business, engineering, aviation, education, nursing and other health-related disciplines. Graduate study extends into research and practice-focused areas, while the law and medical schools follow their own professional curricula and admissions processes. The catalog should be the primary reference for confirming that a particular degree, concentration or delivery format is available in 2026-27. All incoming undergraduates complete the University Undergraduate Core regardless of major, college or school. This shared curriculum reflects SLU’s Jesuit approach and is intended to connect disciplinary study with communication, ethical reasoning, inquiry, reflection and engagement with social questions. Degree requirements then add the student’s major, school requirements and electives. Some programs offer accelerated routes that combine bachelor’s and graduate study, but eligibility and sequencing are program-specific. Students can also pursue minors, certificates and selected online programs. Opportunities for research and hands-on work vary by discipline: science and engineering programs identify laboratory and research experiences, while health, education and social-service fields may involve clinical, field or community-based learning. Students comparing options should examine each catalog roadmap for prerequisites, minimum grades, professional accreditation, internship or clinical obligations and whether changing majors could extend time to completion. The Madrid campus is academically integrated with SLU, but not every St. Louis program can be completed there.

Key Highlights

• Private nonprofit Catholic and Jesuit university founded in 1818
• Main campus in St. Louis with an additional campus in Madrid
• Offers bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and professional education
• Fully accredited institution with active 2026-27 programs and admissions

Student Life & Environment

Student life combines an urban campus environment with residential communities, clubs, athletics, service and faith-related activities. SLU reports more than 200 student organizations, giving students options connected to academic interests, culture, advocacy, recreation, service, student government, fraternity and sorority life, and religious practice. As a Jesuit university, SLU provides Catholic worship and campus ministry, while university services and organizations also engage students from other faiths and backgrounds. For 2026-27, first-time first-year students are guaranteed housing after completing the required steps. Undergraduate students generally must live on campus for their first four semesters unless they qualify for an exemption. Housing includes traditional residence halls, suite-style buildings and apartments, with learning communities that bring together residents around academic or shared interests. Graduate, law and medical students have a designated university housing option as well. Students living in university housing must review residence rules, meal-plan requirements and the financial consequences of their contract. Campus resources include a student center, recreation facilities, dining, student health services, counseling, career services and residential staff. SLU also competes in NCAA Division I athletics. The overall experience is likely to suit students seeking a structured residential start and frequent campus involvement, while commuters and older students should examine transportation, parking and program-specific services before enrolling.

Location & Surroundings

SLU’s main campus is in Midtown St. Louis, near Grand Center’s performing-arts venues and the Cortex Innovation District. This setting places students near cultural organizations, health-care systems, research activity and employers rather than in an isolated college town. The university’s medical facilities are south of the main academic campus, while the School of Law is located downtown. Aviation students may also travel to facilities at St. Louis Downtown Airport in Illinois. The Grand MetroLink station sits between the north campus and medical center. MetroLink connects to St. Louis Lambert International Airport, and SLU operates shuttle services linking campus stops and selected university facilities. A weekend shopping shuttle is also scheduled during the academic year. Students should account for travel between sites when building class, clinical or work schedules, particularly if their program uses the medical campus, downtown law school or aviation facilities. The urban location offers access to arts, professional sports, restaurants, hospitals and community organizations. It also means students should assess neighborhood conditions, late-night transportation and parking according to their own routines. University tours, maps and transportation information are useful for understanding the distance between academic buildings, housing and specialized facilities.

Costs & Career Outcomes

For 2026-27, SLU lists standard full-time undergraduate tuition of $58,960 for fall and spring, plus $1,000 in fees. Its estimated annual cost of attendance is $83,710 for a full-time student living on campus or independently off campus and $75,530 for a student living with a parent. These budgets include estimated housing, books, transportation and miscellaneous expenses; they are not the same as the final bill. Additional fees can apply, and rates are subject to change. The School for Professional Studies, graduate education, law, medicine and other specialized programs use different tuition schedules. Students should compare aid offers using net cost rather than the published tuition alone. SLU states that applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships, including applicants who do not submit test scores. Need-based aid depends on the required financial-aid process and individual eligibility. Housing and meal choices can also change billed costs, and first- and second-year residency rules may limit the ability to reduce expenses by living off campus. Career Services supports undergraduate and graduate students and alumni with career counseling, internship and job-search planning, interview preparation, networking and employer connections. SLU’s undergraduate outcomes dashboard currently combines voluntary survey responses from academic years 2021 through 2024, so it should not be treated as a guaranteed placement rate. Among 3,430 respondents, employment was the leading reported outcome, and St. Louis was the most common city among respondents with positive outcomes. Students should review results by major where available because university-wide outcomes can mask substantial differences among fields.