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Summary
St. Lawrence University is a private institution that was founded in 1856. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,361, its setting is rural, and the campus size is 1,000 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. St. Lawrence University's ranking in the 2013 edition of Best Colleges is National Liberal Arts Colleges, 56. Its tuition and fees are $44,400 (2012-13).
New York’s oldest coed university resides in the village of Canton. Founded in 1856, St. Lawrence University is a private college. Though the university is non-denominational today, leaders of the Universalist Church founded it. St. Lawrence runs one of the oldest first-year programs in the country. Freshmen that are admitted to the university live on campus with other students that are taking the same courses during the first semester. Participation in Greek life at St. Lawrence is substantially lower than in past years. There are less than 10 fraternities and sororities, although these chapters do continue to have an active role in campus life. Students interested in extracurricular activities can choose from more than 100 student groups. The Saint Lawrence Saints are members of the Liberty League in the NCAA Division III, but the school does have an Eastern College Athletic Conference Hockey League (ECACHL) Division I hockey team. The university fields more than 30 varsity sports and more than 40 percent of the student body participates.
St. Lawrence comprises 1,000 acres and is considered a “walking campus,” as most areas of the university are off-limits to motorized vehicles. Students who were inspired by the zen gardens of Japan designed the North Country Japanese Garden, which incorporates elements found in upstate New York and Japan. The Java Barn, a student-run coffee shop on campus, is one of the most well-known coffeehouses in the area and is a popular stop for touring musical acts including Dave Matthews Band and Gym Class Heroes. Notable alumni of the university include Jeffrey H. Boyd, president and CEO of Priceline.com; Susan Collins, current senator of Maine; and actor Viggo Mortensen.
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St. Lawrence University is a vibrant, collaborative community of learners who value thought and action. Students tap their full potential as they embrace the natural environment, engage with global challenges, and experience the relevance and adventure of a liberal arts education in a complex and changing world. We provide an inspiring and demanding undergraduate education to students selected for their seriousness of purpose and intellectual promise. The University's 2,400 students come from throughout the nation and world. Located between the high peaks of the Adirondack Mountains and the national capital of Canada, the University provides unparalleled access to international government, cultural and social opportunities and outdoor recreation. Sustainability is a core University value, by trustee resolution. Among the features of St. Lawrence's curriculum are international programs in 17 nations and three domestic off-campus programs (including an Adirondack Semester and New York City Semester), a nationally recognized, model interdisciplinary program for first-year students; and 12 interdepartmental programs. St. Lawrence has undergone an educational renaissance, with ambitious academic initiatives and major facilities improvements throughout campus but especially in the sciences and the arts. A new science complex, the only LEED Gold-certified science complex in New York State, opened in the fall of 2007 and new performance hall opened in the fall of 2010. |
General Information
| School type | private, coed college |
| Year founded | 1856 |
| Religious affiliation | N/A |
| Academic calendar | semester |
| Setting | rural |
| 2011 Endowment | $239,821,954 |
Applying
When applying to St. Lawrence University, it's important to note the application deadline is February 1, and the early decision deadline is November 1. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due February 1. The application fee at St. Lawrence University is $60. It is more selective, with an acceptance rate of 43.4 percent.
For more information about the tests, essays, interviews, and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.
| Selectivity | more selective |
| Fall 2011 acceptance rate | 43.4% |
| Application deadline | February 1 |
| SAT/ACT scores must be received by | February 1 |
Academic Life
The student-faculty ratio at St. Lawrence University is 12:1, and the school has 61.7 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at St. Lawrence University include: Social Sciences; Psychology; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; English Language and Literature/Letters; and Visual and Performing Arts. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 90.5 percent.
Student Life
St. Lawrence University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,361, with a gender distribution of 46.2 percent male students and 53.8 percent female students. At this school, 97.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 3.0 percent of students live off campus. St. Lawrence University is part of the NCAA III athletic conference.
| Total enrollment | 2,457 |
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| Collegiate athletic association | NCAA III |
Campus Info & Services
St. Lawrence University offers a number of student services including nonremedial tutoring, women's center, health service, and health insurance. St. Lawrence University also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, student patrols, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). Of the students at St. Lawrence University, 50 percent have cars on campus. Alcohol is permitted for students of legal age at St. Lawrence University.
| Students who have cars on campus | 50% |
| Health insurance offered | Yes |
| Students required to own/lease a computer | No |
More About Campus Info & Services
Paying for School
At St. Lawrence University, 64.2 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $28,278.
Paying for college doesn't have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs.
| Tuition and fees | $44,400 (2012-13) |
| Room and board | $11,435 (2012-13) |
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* Overview details based on 2011 data
