St. Andrews University: 64.8% Acceptance Rate

64.8%Acceptance

$30,800Tuition

806Students

27%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$45,606Earnings

Private nonprofit4-yearNJCAAStudy AbroadData: 2023-24Presbyterian Church (USA)

About St. Andrews University

St. Andrews University draws students who want a small college experience where athletics play a major role in campus life. With just 806 students on a campus in rural North Carolina, this Presbyterian-affiliated school has built its identity around competitive sports programs. The university fields 19 varsity teams and gives out $4.7 million in athletic scholarships each year, meaning 437 students (more than half the student body) compete at the college level. The 14:1 student-faculty ratio creates small classes, but the school faces real challenges keeping students engaged. Only 51% of freshmen return for sophomore year, and just 27% graduate within six years.

The financial picture requires careful consideration. Students pay an average net price of $33,756 after aid, which is high given that graduates earn a median of $45,606 ten years after graduation. With median debt of $25,250 and monthly loan payments of $268, many graduates struggle to pay back their loans. Only 41% successfully repay their federal loans, suggesting the debt burden may be too heavy for what graduates earn.

The student body is more diverse than many small Southern colleges, with 26% white students, 18% Black students, and 9% Hispanic students. Nearly half of students receive Pell Grants, indicating many come from lower-income families seeking opportunities through athletics and small-college attention.

Academics & Faculty

St. Andrews operates as a small liberal arts college where students work closely with professors in a 14:1 student-faculty ratio. However, the 27% six-year graduation rate signals significant academic challenges that many students struggle to overcome. The college offers traditional liberal arts programs alongside equestrian studies, which attracts riders from across the country to compete at the collegiate level. With only 806 students total, classes stay small and professors know students by name. The low graduation rate often reflects the financial pressures many students face, as 48% receive Pell Grants, rather than purely academic difficulties. Students who stay engaged and use available support systems can succeed in this close-knit academic environment.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 14:1
Full-Time Faculty: 57.4%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 27.4%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 27.1%
Retention Rate: 51.2%
Median Earnings (10 years): $45,606
Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate College

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Health and Physical Education/Fitness.	Bachelor	$31,133

View all 26 programs →

Campus Life

St. Andrews sits in rural North Carolina, about 20 miles from the South Carolina border and roughly an hour from Charlotte. The 642-bed housing capacity serves most of the 806 students, creating a tight-knit campus where you'll recognize faces everywhere you go. Laurinburg is a small town (population around 15,000), so campus becomes your world. You'll need both a winter coat and plenty of sunscreen here, as North Carolina's climate swings from chilly January days in the 40s to humid summers that hit the 90s.

With 437 students playing varsity sports out of just 806 total enrollment, athletics dominate weekend life. That's more than half the student body competing in one of 19 sports programs. The campus buzzes around games, especially equestrian events, which St. Andrews is known for nationally. Students often head to Charlotte for bigger city experiences, but most weekends center on campus activities, intramural sports, or outdoor adventures in the nearby Sandhills region. The small size (14:1 student-faculty ratio) means professors know your name, but it also means limited nightlife options beyond what the college organizes.

Setting: Town-Distant
Housing Capacity: 642 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Study Abroad: Available
Founded: 1896

Campus Safety (2023)

8 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Burglary	3	3	0	0
Dating Violence	1	1	0	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 31°–53°F
July Avg: 70°–90°F
Annual Precipitation: 108.1"
Annual Snowfall: 1.5"

Student Demographics

Most students at St. Andrews come from outside North Carolina, drawn by the school's strong equestrian program and athletics focus. The student body is more diverse than many small Southern colleges, with significant Black and Hispanic populations reflecting the school's commitment to access. About half of students receive Pell Grants, showing the college serves many first-generation and lower-income families. The slight female majority connects to popular programs like equestrian studies and education. This creates a tight-knit community where students from different backgrounds unite around shared interests in sports and hands-on learning.

Men: 47.6%
Women: 52.4%
White: 26.1%
Black: 17.9%
Hispanic: 9.3%
Asian: 0.9%
In-State Students: 39.1%
Pell Grant Recipients: 47.7%

Location

St. Andrews University sits in Laurinburg, North Carolina, a small town about 90 miles southeast of Charlotte and 30 miles from the South Carolina border. This rural community of around 15,000 people gives students a quiet, close-knit environment where the college forms a central part of town life. The area features rolling hills and pine forests typical of the Carolina Sandhills region, with plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities nearby. About 39% of students come from North Carolina, while the rest travel from across the country to experience this small-town college atmosphere. Students considering colleges in North Carolina may also compare St. Andrews University with similar schools in the region.

Address: Laurinburg, North Carolina 28352

Rev Thomas Chalmers by Thomas Duncan, SNPG

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $45,606
Median Earnings (5 years): $46,899
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $31,900
Loan Repayment Rate: 41.1%
Monthly Loan Payment: $268/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $25,250

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at St. Andrews University?

St. Andrews University accepts 64.8% of applicants, making it moderately selective for prospective students. This Presbyterian liberal arts college in rural North Carolina draws students seeking a close-knit academic community with strong athletic programs.

How much does St. Andrews University cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $33,756 annually, with the total cost of attendance reaching $45,080. Nearly 48% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating the school serves many students from lower-income families despite the private college price tag.

What is the student-faculty ratio at St. Andrews University?

The student-faculty ratio stands at 14:1, allowing for personalized attention in this small liberal arts environment. With only 806 total students, the college emphasizes close mentorship and discussion-based learning typical of intimate academic settings.

What are the graduation rates at St. Andrews University?

Only 27.1% of students graduate within six years, with a four-year graduation rate of 27.4%. The retention rate of 51.2% suggests many students struggle to persist, though graduates earn a median of $45,606 ten years after enrollment.

Where do students live at St. Andrews University?

The campus houses 642 students in residence halls, representing most of the 806-person student body. This residential college experience fosters tight community bonds in the small town of Laurinburg, located in rural southeastern North Carolina.

How strong are athletics at St. Andrews University?

St. Andrews fields 19 varsity sports with 437 total athletes, making athletics central to campus life. The college awards $4.67 million in athletic scholarships annually, competing in NJCAA and known for developing competitive programs despite its small size.