Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Winona, Minnesota
88.8% Acceptance Rate
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
88.8%Acceptance Rate
3.49Avg GPA
$54,870Annual Cost
$58,170Grad Salary
22.1%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
88.8%
Avg GPA
3.49
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Need-Based Aid
22.1% receive Pell
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is a private, Catholic liberal arts university that emphasizes a comprehensive, values-based education and professional preparation. Admissions are holistic, seeking students who have demonstrated academic growth and a history of contributing to their high school communities. The university seeks individuals who are ready to thrive in a small, student-focused environment where mentorship and academic collaboration are prioritized.
A standout application to Saint Mary's highlights a student's willingness to engage in ethical inquiry and their desire to pursue leadership roles. Applicants should emphasize any extracurricular achievements particularly in athletics, service organizations, or student government as these demonstrate a capacity for teamwork and initiative. Showing a clear, thoughtful approach to one's future career plans, and explaining how a values-centered education will facilitate those goals, is a strong way to impress the admissions committee.
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Acceptance Rate
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota runs an open-access admission policy — with a 88.8% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 88.8% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.49 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.29 – 3.48
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.04
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
💡 The scholarship deadline (Priority scholarship: 2026/02/01) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is 3.49. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.19–3.49 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently — for an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.69–3.89.Saint Mary's University of Minnesota GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.49 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.29 – 3.48
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.09 – 3.28
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.08
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Overall acceptance rate is roughly 93%, but this covers general admission only, not the direct-entry Nursing BS or the competitive 3+2 Mayo Clinic PA program.
- No essay, recommendation letter, or application fee required for first-year general admission; test scores are self-reported and optional (sources conflict here - some third-party sites list an "essay or writing sample" as required, but Saint Mary's own Common App profile confirms no essay is required for first-year applicants).
- 3+2 PA program has a firm Dec. 1 deadline, applied to in fall of senior year, distinct from the university's rolling general deadline.
- Pell-eligible residents of MN, WI, and IL may have remaining tuition after scholarships/grants covered through the Cardinal Promise for four years.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Saint Mary's University of Minnesota's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Without SAT or ACT?
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota neither requires nor recommends test scores. Submit yours only if it's above the state or national average — otherwise, leaving it off works in your favor.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into Saint Mary's University of Minnesota isn't the hard part — building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Treat the 3+2 Mayo Clinic PA Deadline as a Separate Application
General admission is rolling, but the 3+2 Physician Assistant program with Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences has its own hard December 1 deadline, applied to during fall of senior year, requiring a 3.5+ cumulative AND science/math GPA plus ACT 24+/SAT 1170+ (or calculus-ready). Students interested in this pipeline must apply months earlier than the university's general timeline suggests - missing Dec. 1 forfeits the slot for that cycle even if general admission stays open.
Front-Load Science Readiness for Direct-Admit Nursing
Saint Mary's nursing majors begin actual nursing coursework (Introduction to Professional Nursing) in their very first semester rather than after a gatekeeping pre-nursing year. Students need strong AP/dual-enrollment science credit and math readiness going in, because a 3.0 GPA with C-or-better in every science and nursing course is required every semester just to remain in the major - there's no cushion year to catch up.
Self-Nominate for the Lasallian Honors Program
Honors invitations go out automatically based on high school record, but the program explicitly accepts direct outreach from students who weren't invited but want the smaller round-table seminar track. Have motivated students email the Honors Program Director directly rather than waiting passively - this is a low-visibility way into a more personalized academic community within a larger university.
Use Self-Reported Scores as a Scholarship Lever, Not an Admission Requirement
No essay, recommendation letter, or application fee is required for general first-year admission, and 100% of admitted students receive a merit scholarship (minimum $25,500/year, up to $120,000 over four years). Since scores aren't needed for the admission decision, frame submitting a strong self-reported ACT/SAT purely as a way to potentially move into a higher automatic merit band.
Expert Insight:
Because general admission is easy (~93% acceptance rate, no essay, no recommendation), families often assume every program is equally accessible. In reality, the direct-entry nursing major and the 3+2 PA program have hard, separate GPA/test thresholds and deadlines - the two most common ways a student gets admitted to the university but shut out of their intended major are missing the Dec. 1 PA deadline and under-preparing for first-semester nursing coursework.
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Profile
Full Name
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
City
Winona
State
Minnesota
ZIP Code
55987-1399
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Degree Worth It?
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes — the figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $70,800, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.89%.
How much does a degree from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Cost?
The sticker price is $54,870/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is typically much lower.
22.1% of students receive a Pell Grant and 57.3% take federal loans at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota — file your FAFSA early and list Saint Mary's University of Minnesota as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $58,170 — about 43% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Degree Programs at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota run about $58,170 a year.
At about $54,870 a year, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota's Pell Grant rate of 22.1% sits below the national average — merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 88.8%, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota average a 3.49 GPA.
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 3.19 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.09, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota becomes a harder reach — though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is Priority scholarship: 2026/02/01. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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