St. John's College: 49.9% Acceptance Rate

49.9%Acceptance

$39,126Tuition

488Students

67%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$51,584Earnings

#15 in MarylandPrivate nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test OptionalLiberal ArtsData: 2023-24

About St. John's College

St. John's College runs one of America's most unusual curricula where all 488 students read the same great books from Plato to Einstein. The Great Books program replaces traditional majors with four years of seminar discussions about classic texts in philosophy, literature, mathematics, and science. Francis Scott Key, who wrote "The Star-Spangled Banner," graduated from this intimate liberal arts college in suburban Annapolis. Students engage directly with primary sources rather than textbooks, debating ideas in seminars capped at around 20 people given the 8:1 student-faculty ratio.

The financial picture requires careful consideration. Students pay an average net price of $27,934 after aid, though families earning under $48,000 pay less at $16,625-$21,627. Recent graduates earn a median of $42,565 five years after graduation, climbing to $51,584 after ten years. The typical graduate leaves with $27,000 in debt and monthly loan payments of $286. With a 73.47% loan repayment rate, most alumni manage their debt successfully despite starting salaries that average $27,531.

The 67.4% six-year graduation rate reflects the program's demanding nature. Students either embrace the intensive intellectual challenge or transfer elsewhere, contributing to the school's reputation as an acquired taste for serious academic seekers.

Academics & Faculty

St. John's College operates one of the most unusual academic programs in American higher education. All 488 students follow the identical Great Books curriculum, reading foundational texts from Homer to Einstein without traditional textbooks or lectures. The 8:1 student-faculty ratio means every seminar caps at around 16 students who spend four years discussing Plato, Shakespeare, Newton, and other classics with the same classmates. This intensive liberal arts approach produces a 72% four-year graduation rate despite its academic rigor. Students don't choose majors or take electives, everyone graduates with the same degree after wrestling with the same 200+ books that shaped Western thought.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 8:1
Full-Time Faculty: 93.1%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 72.1%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 67.4%
Retention Rate: 88.5%
Median Earnings (10 years): $51,584
Carnegie Classification: Liberal Arts College

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Certificate	$21,781
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Bachelor	$21,052

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Campus Life

Students spend their days in seminar rooms debating Plato, Euclid, and Darwin with just 8 students per faculty member. The 488-student campus sits in historic Annapolis, 30 miles from both Washington D.C. and Baltimore. You'll need a winter coat for Maryland's cold seasons and light layers for humid summers. About 76% of students live on campus in the college's housing that accommodates 372 students.

The Great Books program means everyone reads the same texts, creating intense dinner table discussions that continue late into McDowell Hall's common areas. Students call each other by last names in a nod to academic formality. Weekend activities center around campus since there's no Greek life or Division I sports. The Johnnies gather for croquet matches on the quad, philosophy discussions in coffee shops, and weekend trips to D.C. museums. With a 67% six-year graduation rate, the rigorous curriculum isn't for everyone, but those who stay form tight intellectual communities around shared readings of Western civilization's greatest works.

Setting: Suburb-Large
Housing Capacity: 372 beds
Calendar System: Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

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

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential
Fondling	2	2
Burglary	1	1
Dating Violence	1	1
Rape	1	1

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 29°–44°F
July Avg: 71°–89°F
Annual Precipitation: 47.3"
Annual Snowfall: -769.7"

Student Demographics

St. John's draws intellectually curious students from across the country, with nearly 78% coming from out of state to experience its unique Great Books curriculum. The student body of 488 creates an intimate academic community where deep philosophical discussions flourish. Students typically score around 1355 on the SAT, reflecting the analytical thinking required for Socratic seminars. The nearly even gender split shows that both men and women are equally drawn to this unconventional liberal arts approach. With only 22% receiving Pell Grants, the school primarily serves middle and upper-middle-class families seeking intellectual rigor over career training.

Men: 50.6%
Women: 49.4%
White: 63.3%
Black: 2.3%
Hispanic: 6.6%
Asian: 3.9%
In-State Students: 22.4%
Pell Grant Recipients: 22.1%

Location

St. John's College sits in Annapolis, Maryland, just 30 miles east of Washington D.C. and 35 miles south of Baltimore. The historic state capital offers a unique college town atmosphere centered around the U.S. Naval Academy and Maryland's colonial statehouse. Students walk cobblestone streets lined with 18th-century architecture while enjoying easy access to the Chesapeake Bay waterfront. The city's population of 40,000 swells during legislative sessions and sailing season. With 78% of students coming from out-of-state, many are drawn to this intellectual enclave between major metropolitan areas. The campus housing capacity of 372 accommodates most of the 488 enrolled students in this intimate academic setting. Students considering colleges in Maryland may also compare St. John's College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Annapolis, Maryland 21401

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $51,584
Median Earnings (5 years): $42,565
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $31,600
Loan Repayment Rate: 73.5%
Monthly Loan Payment: $286/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $27,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at St. John's College?

St. John's College accepts 49.90% of applicants, making it moderately selective for a liberal arts college. The school attracts students specifically interested in its unique Great Books curriculum, which involves reading and discussing classic texts from Plato to Einstein in small seminars.

How much does St. John's College cost after financial aid?

The average net price at St. John's College is $27,934 after financial aid, though only 22.08% of students receive federal aid. Students from families earning under $48,000 pay less, with net prices around $16,625 to $21,627.

What makes the academics unique at St. John's College?

St. John's College operates on a Great Books curriculum where all 488 students read the same classic texts and discuss them in seminars with an 8:1 student-faculty ratio. The college has no traditional lectures, textbooks, or majors, focusing instead on Socratic dialogue and critical thinking.

What are the career outcomes for St. John's College graduates?

Graduates earn a median salary of $51,584 ten years after graduation, with 84.0% finding employment. The 67.40% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenging nature of the Great Books curriculum, though those who complete the program develop strong analytical and communication skills.

Where is St. John's College located and what is campus life like?

St. John's College sits in Annapolis, Maryland, housing 372 students on campus out of 488 total enrollment. The small size creates an intimate intellectual community where students engage in late-night philosophical discussions and participate in traditions like the annual croquet match against the Naval Academy.

Does St. John's College have traditional majors and grades?

St. John's College awards no traditional majors, instead granting all graduates a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts after completing the four-year Great Books sequence. The college uses narrative evaluations rather than letter grades, emphasizing intellectual growth over competition among the close-knit student body.