St. John's College: 54.1% Acceptance Rate

54.1%Acceptance

$38,946Tuition

369Students

60%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$44,985Earnings

#19 in New MexicoPrivate nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test OptionalLiberal ArtsData: 2023-24

About St. John's College

Every student at St. John's reads the exact same books, from Plato's Republic to Einstein's relativity papers. This Great Books curriculum makes the 369-student college unlike any other liberal arts institution in America. Francis Scott Key, who penned our national anthem, walked these halls, as did philanthropist Paul Mellon. The rural-fringe Santa Fe campus creates an intimate intellectual community where ancient texts meet desert sunsets.

Students pay an average net price of $24,351 after aid, well below the sticker price of $54,824. The college meets financial need generously, with families earning under $30,000 paying just $14,669 annually. However, graduates earn a median of $44,985 ten years out, which may concern students planning expensive graduate programs. The 70.95% loan repayment rate suggests most manage their debt successfully.

The 7:1 student-faculty ratio means seminars replace lectures entirely. Students call professors by first names and engage in Socratic dialogue rather than passive note-taking. The 78.41% retention rate reflects how this unconventional approach isn't for everyone. Those who thrive here love wrestling with big ideas in small groups, but students seeking pre-professional training or traditional majors should look elsewhere.

Academics & Faculty

St. John's College operates one of the most unusual curricula in American higher education: the Great Books program where every student reads identical texts from Plato to Einstein. This liberal arts approach means no majors, no electives, and no textbooks beyond the original sources. Students engage in Socratic seminars and tutorials with a 7:1 student-faculty ratio that ensures intensive discussion and mentoring. The rigorous program challenges students , reflected in a 60% six-year graduation rate. Classes center on philosophy, literature, mathematics, and science through primary texts. Students graduate with broad intellectual foundations rather than specialized training, preparing them for graduate school or careers requiring critical thinking skills.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 7:1
Full-Time Faculty: 72.1%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 65.7%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 60.0%
Retention Rate: 78.4%
Median Earnings (10 years): $44,985
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.	Bachelor	$20,140

View all 4 programs →

Campus Life

Santa Fe sits at 7,200 feet elevation, meaning you'll need both winter coats and sunscreen throughout the year. The campus houses 374 students in dorms, covering most of the 369-person student body who gather for daily seminars discussing Plato, Shakespeare, or Einstein. Students spend evenings in passionate debates that started in afternoon tutorials, often continuing conversations about Euclid's geometry or Dostoyevsky's novels over dinner.

Weekends revolve around hiking in the nearby Sangre de Cristo Mountains or exploring Santa Fe's art galleries and adobe architecture. With only 10.94% of students from New Mexico, most discover the high desert landscape for the first time. The 7:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know everyone by name and join students for coffee to debate philosophical questions. Friday night lectures by visiting scholars draw crowds who later gather around campus fireplaces. Students organize informal study groups that blend academic discussions with stargazing sessions under the clear mountain skies.

Setting: Rural-Fringe
Housing Capacity: 374 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1898

Campus Safety (2023)

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

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential
Rape	3	3
Dating Violence	2	2
Domestic Violence	2	1
Aggravated Assault	2	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 17°–43°F
July Avg: 54°–85°F
Annual Precipitation: 14.2"
Annual Snowfall: 23.0"

Student Demographics

Nearly 90% of St. John's students come from out of state, drawn by the college's unique Great Books curriculum that few other schools offer. The student body skews slightly male, reflecting the program's heavy emphasis on mathematics, philosophy, and classical texts that have historically attracted more men. About one in four students receives Pell Grants, showing the school attracts economically diverse families willing to invest in an unconventional education. Students here share an intellectual curiosity that transcends typical demographic boundaries, united by their commitment to wrestling with humanity's greatest ideas.

Men: 52.0%
Women: 48.0%
White: 64.5%
Black: 1.1%
Hispanic: 12.5%
Asian: 1.6%
In-State Students: 10.9%
Pell Grant Recipients: 24.2%

Location

St. John's College sits in Santa Fe, New Mexico, about 65 miles northeast of Albuquerque. The campus occupies 250 acres in the high desert at 7,200 feet elevation. Santa Fe blends Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo cultures in a city known for its adobe architecture and thriving arts scene. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains provide a dramatic backdrop to campus life. With only 10.94% of students coming from in-state, most discover this unique setting from afar. The rural-fringe location means genuine outdoor recreation opportunities while maintaining access to Santa Fe's galleries, museums, and restaurants. Students considering colleges in New Mexico may also compare St. John's College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505-4599

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $44,985
Median Earnings (5 years): $37,812
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $26,400
Loan Repayment Rate: 71.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

St. John's College admits 54% of applicants, making it moderately selective for a specialized liberal arts school. Students typically score around 1355 on the SAT, reflecting the academic rigor of the Great Books curriculum.

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

The average net price is $24,351, lower than the full tuition of $38,946. Only 24% of students receive Pell Grants, suggesting the school serves primarily middle and upper-middle class families despite generous aid for lower-income students.

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

Every student follows the same Great Books curriculum, reading classic texts from ancient Greece to modern times without traditional majors. With a 7:1 student-faculty ratio, classes are intimate seminars focused on discussion rather than lectures.

What do graduates of St. John's College earn after graduation?

Alumni earn a median of $44,985 ten years after graduation, which is modest compared to other private colleges. The 60% six-year graduation rate reflects the demanding curriculum that challenges students to think deeply about fundamental questions.

Where do students live at St. John's College?

The college houses 374 students on its rural Santa Fe campus, accommodating its total enrollment of 369. The setting provides an isolated environment perfect for intense intellectual engagement with the Great Books.

Does St. John's College have a diverse student body?

The student body is 65% white with 12% Hispanic students, reflecting some regional diversity from the Southwest. However, 89% of students come from out-of-state, creating a national community drawn to this unique educational approach.