Mount Angel Seminary: 100.0% Acceptance Rate

100.0%Acceptance

$29,694Tuition

28Students

33%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$57,436Earnings

Private nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test BlindData: 2023-24Roman Catholic

About Mount Angel Seminary

Mount Angel Seminary prepares men for Catholic priesthood in the peaceful hills outside Portland. This Benedictine institution enrolls just 28 students, creating an intensely personal formation experience. The seminary accepts all applicants who meet their discernment requirements. Students live and study in a monastic setting that emphasizes prayer, community, and academic rigor rooted in centuries of Catholic tradition.

The financial picture reflects the seminary's unique mission. Annual tuition runs $29,694, with room and board adding another $16,704. Only 21% of students receive financial aid, suggesting many seminarians rely on diocesan support or religious order funding. Graduates earn a median $57,436 ten years after completion, though most pursue vocational rather than financial goals. The 33% six-year graduation rate reflects the demanding nature of priestly formation, where discernment often leads students to different paths.

The student body is entirely male and increasingly diverse, with 46% Hispanic students reflecting the changing face of American Catholicism. With a 6:1 student-faculty ratio, every seminarian receives close mentorship from priest-professors. The rural setting encourages contemplation and study away from urban distractions. Students follow a structured daily rhythm of prayer, classes, and community life that mirrors monastic tradition.

Academics & Faculty

Mount Angel Seminary trains future Catholic priests and deacons through rigorous theological education rooted in 1,500 years of Benedictine tradition. The 6:1 student-faculty ratio ensures intensive mentorship as seminarians study philosophy, theology, and pastoral ministry. However, the 33% graduation rate reflects the demanding nature of discerning a religious vocation, as many students transfer to other paths during their formation process. The curriculum emphasizes both intellectual formation and spiritual development, preparing men for ordination in dioceses across the western United States. Students engage in liturgical studies, moral theology, and canon law while participating in daily prayer and community life that shapes their pastoral identity.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 6:1
Full-Time Faculty: 66.7%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 33.3%
Median Earnings (10 years): $57,436
Carnegie Classification: Associate College (High Transfer)

Campus Life

The entire student body of 28 men lives in a contemplative community where prayer punctuates each day. Mount Angel Seminary sits 45 miles south of Portland in Oregon's Willamette Valley, where students need rain jackets more than winter coats during the mild, wet winters. The campus houses all students in its residential facilities, which can accommodate up to 125 people.

Daily life follows the ancient Benedictine rhythm of prayer, study, and work. Students attend morning and evening prayer services together as part of their formation for priesthood or diaconate. The 6:1 student-faculty ratio means intense mentoring relationships with professors. Weekends often involve community service in nearby rural towns or quiet reflection in the abbey's gardens. The seminary's location provides solitude for spiritual growth while remaining accessible to Portland for occasional cultural activities. Students come from across the country, with no in-state residents among the current enrollment. The Hispanic majority student body of 46.43% reflects the changing demographics of American Catholicism.

Setting: Rural-Fringe
Housing Capacity: 125 beds
Calendar System: Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 35°–46°F
July Avg: 55°–79°F
Annual Precipitation: 47.2"
Annual Snowfall: 1.1"

Student Demographics

Mount Angel Seminary draws men from across the country who feel called to Catholic priesthood or diaconate. The student body is 46% Hispanic, reflecting the growing Latino presence in American Catholicism. With zero in-state students among its 28 seminarians, the school attracts candidates nationally rather than locally. The Benedictine monastery creates an intentionally diverse faith community where future priests study together. About 21% receive Pell Grants, showing the seminary serves men from working-class backgrounds alongside those from more affluent families.

Men: 100.0%
Women: 0.0%
White: 35.7%
Black: 3.6%
Hispanic: 46.4%
Asian: 3.6%
In-State Students: 0.0%
Pell Grant Recipients: 21.2%

Location

Mount Angel Seminary sits in Saint Benedict, Oregon, about 45 miles south of Portland. The campus occupies a hilltop location in the Willamette Valley, surrounded by farmland and small rural communities. This area offers a peaceful setting away from urban distractions, which aligns with the seminary's contemplative mission. The nearby town of Mount Angel has fewer than 4,000 residents and is known for its Oktoberfest celebration and Abbey Road Farm. With 125 students able to live on campus despite only 28 current students, the facility provides ample space for reflection and study. Students considering colleges in Oregon may also compare Mount Angel Seminary with similar schools in the region.

Address: Saint Benedict, Oregon 97373

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $57,436

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Mount Angel Seminary?

Mount Angel Seminary accepts 100% of applicants who apply. This reflects the seminary's mission to welcome all men discerning a vocation to the Catholic priesthood or diaconate in the Benedictine tradition.

How much does Mount Angel Seminary cost to attend?

The total cost of attendance is $47,398, which includes $29,694 in tuition and $16,704 for room and board. Only 21.21% of students receive financial aid, suggesting many seminarians have their education sponsored by dioceses or religious orders.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Mount Angel Seminary?

Mount Angel Seminary maintains a 6:1 student-faculty ratio with just 28 total students enrolled. This intimate academic environment allows for personalized formation and mentorship essential to priestly training in the Benedictine tradition.

What are the graduation outcomes at Mount Angel Seminary?

The seminary has a 33.30% six-year graduation rate, with graduates earning a median salary of $57,436 ten years after graduation. These outcomes reflect the unique nature of seminary education, where some students may transfer to complete formation elsewhere or discern different vocational paths.

Where do students at Mount Angel Seminary come from?

Remarkably, 0% of students are from Oregon despite the seminary's location in Saint Benedict. The student body is 46.43% Hispanic and 35.71% White, reflecting the Catholic Church's growing diversity and the seminary's national draw for vocations.

Is Mount Angel Seminary open to all students?

Mount Angel Seminary enrolls 100% men and 0% women, as it exclusively trains Catholic priests and deacons. The seminary follows the Benedictine tradition of monastic formation and can house up to 125 students in its rural Oregon setting.