About Fontbonne University
Fontbonne University builds its reputation on intimate Catholic education and professional preparation. The university enrolls just 632 students in suburban St. Louis, creating an environment where personal attention drives academic success. Education, business, and health sciences programs form the academic backbone. The 9:1 student-faculty ratio ensures professors know every student by name. Founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1923, Fontbonne maintains its commitment to social justice and community service.
Students pay an average net price of $18,251 after financial aid, making this private education surprisingly accessible. Nearly 48% of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the university's commitment to serving working-class families. Graduates earn a median salary of $48,825 ten years after graduation with typical debt of $25,000. The monthly loan payment of $265 represents a manageable burden given earning potential. Over 96% of graduates find employment, demonstrating strong career preparation.
The student body splits evenly between men and women, with 61% white students and 28% Black students creating meaningful diversity. Division III athletics engage 338 student-athletes across 16 sports without athletic scholarships. The 57% four-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many working students face, but those who persist find strong career outcomes.
Students pay an average net price of $18,251 after financial aid, making this private education surprisingly accessible. Nearly 48% of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the university's commitment to serving working-class families. Graduates earn a median salary of $48,825 ten years after graduation with typical debt of $25,000. The monthly loan payment of $265 represents a manageable burden given earning potential. Over 96% of graduates find employment, demonstrating strong career preparation.
The student body splits evenly between men and women, with 61% white students and 28% Black students creating meaningful diversity. Division III athletics engage 338 student-athletes across 16 sports without athletic scholarships. The 57% four-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many working students face, but those who persist find strong career outcomes.
Academics & Faculty
Fontbonne University centers on education, business, and health sciences programs that prepare students for professional careers. The 9:1 student-faculty ratio creates an intimate learning environment where professors know students by name and provide individualized attention. However, the 56.80% six-year graduation rate suggests some students struggle to complete their degrees despite this close support. The Catholic university emphasizes service learning and social justice as core academic values. Education majors benefit from extensive field experience in local schools, while business students gain hands-on experience through internships with St. Louis companies. The health sciences programs, particularly in dietetics and speech-language pathology, maintain strong clinical partnerships throughout the metropolitan area.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 9:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 44.1%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 57.4%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 56.8%
- Retention Rate
- 64.1%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $48,825
- Carnegie Classification
- Master's University (Medium)
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $55,286 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $54,035 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $48,041 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $43,575 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $41,025 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $39,369 |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Bachelor | $38,337 |
| Education, General. | Master | $35,864 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $35,276 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Bachelor | $34,526 |
Campus Life
Fontbonne's 632 students experience small-town college life just minutes from downtown St. Louis. The suburban Clayton campus sits about 10 miles from the Gateway Arch, giving students easy access to Cardinals games, Forest Park, and internship opportunities. Only 322 students can live on campus, so roughly half commute from the surrounding area. The 9:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name and academic struggles.
St. Louis winters demand heavy coats and snow boots, while humid summers hit the 80s and 90s. The 85% in-state enrollment creates a close-knit community where many students already know each other from high school. Weekends often involve trips to the Loop for concerts or Washington University's more active party scene. The Catholic identity shapes campus culture without overwhelming it. Students frequently volunteer in St. Louis neighborhoods as part of the university's service mission. Division III athletics draw modest crowds, with 338 student-athletes competing across 16 sports. The small size means limited weekend programming, so students often head home or explore the city's restaurants and music venues.
St. Louis winters demand heavy coats and snow boots, while humid summers hit the 80s and 90s. The 85% in-state enrollment creates a close-knit community where many students already know each other from high school. Weekends often involve trips to the Loop for concerts or Washington University's more active party scene. The Catholic identity shapes campus culture without overwhelming it. Students frequently volunteer in St. Louis neighborhoods as part of the university's service mission. Division III athletics draw modest crowds, with 338 student-athletes competing across 16 sports. The small size means limited weekend programming, so students often head home or explore the city's restaurants and music venues.
- Setting
- Suburb-Large
- Housing Capacity
- 322 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1923
Campus Safety (2023)
4 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burglary | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Dating Violence | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 24°–40°F
- July Avg
- 71°–89°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 43.9"
- Annual Snowfall
- 16.6"
Student Demographics
Fontbonne draws primarily local students, with 86% coming from Missouri. The student body reflects St. Louis's diversity, with 28% Black enrollment highlighting the university's commitment to serving the metro area's communities. Nearly half of students receive Pell Grants, showing Fontbonne's dedication to making Catholic education accessible to working-class families. The even gender split stems from the school's balanced offerings in traditionally female fields like education and social work alongside business and sciences. This creates a tight-knit community where students from different backgrounds unite around shared values of service and academic growth.
- Men
- 49.8%
- Women
- 50.2%
- White
- 60.6%
- Black
- 27.7%
- Hispanic
- 1.4%
- Asian
- 2.1%
- In-State Students
- 85.6%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 48.0%
Location
Fontbonne University sits in Clayton, Missouri, a well-established suburb just 10 miles west of downtown Saint Louis. The campus occupies 16 acres in one of the region's most affluent communities, surrounded by tree-lined streets and upscale shopping districts. Clayton serves as St. Louis County's seat and hosts major corporate headquarters, providing internship opportunities for Fontbonne's 632 students. The area offers easy access to Forest Park, one of the largest urban parks in the United States, plus numerous cultural attractions downtown. With 85.63% of students coming from Missouri, most are familiar with the region's four distinct seasons and Midwestern hospitality. Students considering colleges in Missouri may also compare Fontbonne University with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Saint Louis, Missouri 63105-3098
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $48,825
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $52,144
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $36,200
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 50.5%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $265/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $25,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Fontbonne University?
Fontbonne University accepts 94.43% of applicants, making admission highly accessible for most students. The small Catholic university focuses on providing personalized attention with a 9:1 student-faculty ratio rather than exclusivity.
How much does Fontbonne University cost after financial aid?
The average net price is $18,251, lower than the published tuition of $28,976. Nearly 48% of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the university's commitment to serving students from diverse economic backgrounds.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Fontbonne University?
The student-faculty ratio is 9:1 across just 632 total students. This intimate environment allows the university to excel in its signature programs like education, business, and health sciences.
What are the graduation outcomes at Fontbonne University?
The six-year graduation rate stands at 56.80%, while graduates earn a median salary of $48,825 ten years after enrollment. The employment rate reaches 96.5%, demonstrating strong job placement despite the modest graduation rates.
Where do most students at Fontbonne University come from?
About 85.63% of students are Missouri residents, giving the campus a strong local connection. The student body is diverse with 27.69% Black students and 60.60% White students in this suburban St. Louis setting.
Does Fontbonne University offer athletic scholarships?
Fontbonne awards $0 in athletic scholarships despite fielding 16 varsity sports with 338 total athletes. As an NCAA Division III institution, the university emphasizes academic merit over athletic recruitment in its scholarship programs.
