Saint Mary’s College is a Catholic, residential, women’s college in the liberal arts tradition. The College is an academic community where women develop their talents and prepare to make a difference in the world. Founded by the Sisters of the Holy Cross in 1844, Saint Mary’s promotes a life of intellectual vigor, aesthetic appreciation, religious sensibility, and social responsibility. All members of the College remain faithful to this mission and continually assess their response to the complex needs and challenges of the contemporary world.

The Students

There are more than 1,500 students who come from nearly all-50 states and 8 other countries. Approximately 84 percent of students live on campus and are guaranteed housing all four years.

The Education

Saint Mary’s has six nationally accredited programs and more than 30 majors to help students pursue a meaningful career and make a difference in the world, with an average class size of 18. As of the 2022-23 fiscal year, Saint Mary's Cushwa-Leighton Library has 156,860 titles in its physical collection, and access to 644,198 ebooks through subscription packages.

Saint Mary's College ranks among the top 100 “Best National Liberal Arts Colleges” in the U. S. News & World Report College Guide.

The Professional Education Unit

The unit has 8 full-time faculty in 2023-2024.  The unit graduated 20 Elementary Education majors and 7 Secondary Education majors in 2022.  In 2023, 19 Elementary Education majors and 7 Secondary Education majors graduated.

The unit regularly meets with the Teacher Education Council, made up of representatives from departments across campus and with its Partners in Education, made up of representatives of its school partners.