Benedictine University

Benedictine offers 42 undergraduate majors, with standout programs in Public Health, Nursing, and Business Administration. The curriculum blends liberal arts with professional training, anchored by a 13:1 student-faculty ratio. Graduate options include 9 master’s degrees (notably an MBA) and 2 doctoral programs (Education and Nursing Practice).

• Top Majors: Health Sciences, Business, Education
• Notable Programs: Accelerated BSN for second-degree students, 3+3 Law School partnerships
• Faculty: 70% full-time, with an emphasis on mentorship

A commuter-heavy campus (77% live off-campus) with a strong Catholic identity, Benedictine balances quiet academics with 50+ clubs and DIII athletics. Traditions include Benedictine Day (service projects) and Eagle Nights (late-campus events). Safety is a selling point—97% of students report feeling secure—though nightlife is limited.

• Housing: 23% live on campus; dorms are suite-style
• Athletics: 22 NCAA teams (Eagles); football games draw crowds
• Service: 60% participate in community outreach

Six-year graduation rates hover at 51%—below national averages—but 65% of alumni are employed full-time within a year. Median earnings are $36,427 early-career, rising for nursing and business graduates. The university struggles with first-year retention (69%), partly due to its commuter population.

• Graduation Rates: 51% in 6 years (2023 cohort)
• Post-Grad: 15% pursue advanced degrees
• Top Employers: Advocate Health, Navistar, local school districts

With a $15,166 net price after aid (68% of students receive assistance), Benedictine is among Illinois’ more affordable privates. The average aid package is $33,712, mixing merit scholarships (up to $25K) and need-based grants. Tuition freezes for continuous enrollment help families budget.

• Tuition: $35,370 (2024)
• Aid Types: Benedictine Grant (need-based), Trustee Scholarship (merit)
• Debt: 65% of grads borrow; average loan is $27K

Benedictine carves a niche with flexible, career-aligned programs (like evening MBA cohorts) and unusually high accessibility—admitting nearly all applicants while maintaining small classes. Its Catholic Benedictine values infuse campus culture (required theology courses, weekly Mass), yet it welcomes interfaith students. The Mesa, AZ branch campus extends its reach for health sciences. For Chicago-area students seeking a low-stress admissions process and strong healthcare pipelines, it’s a pragmatic choice.