Saint Mary's is a women’s college with a strong focus in STEM with a 175-year history of empowering alumnae to excel and lead in their chosen fields. Students find their home away-from-home in Notre Dame, Indiana and develop the skills, knowledge, empathy, and vision to guide their corner of the world forward, whether directing a global organization, serving the needs of humanity, or exploring areas of scientific discovery. And, through our connection with the University of Notre Dame and Holy Cross College, our students have a world of opportunities available to them!
Where is Saint Mary's?
Located in Notre Dame, Indiana and neighbors to the City of South Bend, Saint Mary’s College offers the best of the midwest for students to enjoy and explore.
Whether you like to hike, bike, or just take a stroll, South Bend has plenty of bike paths, nature trails, and parks to visit. Ready for more adventure? Rent a boat or canoe and explore the St. Joseph River or Lake Michigan (the third largest lake in the US), or speed down the East Race rapids course in a raft.
For quieter days you can visit the many museums or our local zoo, walk around Notre Dame’s campus, or take the train up to Chicago for a day of shopping and sightseeing. Campus is only 90 minutes from the Windy City and just a few hours north of Indianapolis.
Is a Women’s College Right for You?
Most of our students never considered a women’s college before attending Saint Mary’s. Chances are, you’re the same and are full of questions and preconceived ideas of what it’s like. But one visit to Saint Mary’s and you’ll quickly realize just what a special place this is. The women here are bright and articulate. They’re curious and compassionate. Most of all, they are supportive—and like you, are ready to discover their place in the world.
There are actually many reasons to check out a single-gender college. Women’s colleges, by their very nature, are progressive and have for hundreds of years, pushed the boundaries on what women can and will accomplish. Women are never outnumbered at Saint Mary’s. Instead, they are given the freedom and encouragement to pursue ANY field and follow every dream.
Academic Excellence is a Priority
With more than 50 academic programs to choose from, you will have no problem finding the right course of study at Saint Mary’s. Work with us to discover how our majors, minors, concentrations, and programs below can all work together to form the perfect path, tailored just for you.
Saint Mary’s professors will craft experiences to help you learn. Small, discussion-based classes will help students to develop communication and critical thinking skills. Collaboration in lectures and labs will ensure you understand difficult concepts during class. Our small class sizes make it possible for this conversational, give-and-take approach to teaching, an approach geared specifically to women’s learning styles.
We believe that nothing replaces a direct connection to talented faculty. It’s why our classes are small and taught only by professors. In this environment, students are highly engaged in discussions, involved in comprehensive research, and are encouraged to ask questions. Coupled with strong academic programs that develop critical thinking and communication skills, we ensure every student is well prepared to excel in her career and in life.
Get the Best of Both Worlds
Our students thrive at Saint Mary's largely due to the small classes sizes, personal connections to faculty, and a sisterhood of support. But we also know they gain a great deal by being strongly connected to the University of Notre Dame, located just across the street.
Our 175-year-old story begins in Le Mans, France as four Sisters of the Holy Cross were asked by Blessed Basil Anthony Moreau to accompany a small group of priests in the wilderness of Indiana. They left all they knew behind to join Father Sorin and support his efforts — and perhaps start a school of their own one day.
And that's exactly what they did. Today, we still stand side by side with our family at Notre Dame and Holy Cross College. Collectively known as the tri-campus community, all students are invited to participate socially and academically on all three campuses. That means you get all the benefits of a women’s college AND can extend your co-ed social experiences and educational opportunities by taking classes, joining clubs, and attending football games across the street at the University of Notre Dame.
The World Needs More Saint Mary's Women
Spiritually Centered
As a Catholic college, our identity and core values are strongly tied to our faith. We encourage all students — regardless of their religion or beliefs — to explore their own spirituality and find a life that is meaningful and balanced.
As founder of the Holy Cross Congregations, Blessed Basil Anthony Moreau proclaimed, “The mind will not be cultivated at the expense of the heart.” We follow that calling still today as we provide opportunities for students to explore and expand their understanding of God and the universe around them.
Value Justice
Saint Mary’s students and alumnae believe in our core value of Justice where we respect all persons because of their God-given dignity. We act as responsible stewards of resources —both on campus and beyond. And we advocate social action and practice principles of justice and compassion.
We also believe in diversity, equality, and inclusion and take steps to ensure all members of the College community are valued for the contributions they bring to campus. We encourage you to engage with us in our stand against racism.
Women Who Lead
Saint Mary’s women are amazing! They’re articulate, smart, and driven. They lean in to their passions with care and compassion, and face difficult endeavors with strong critical-thinking skills. The world sees them as well-rounded women who lead with empathy and integrity. We see them as Belles — strong symbols of what Saint Mary’s stands for and incredible examples of how we prepare our students to discover themselves and their place in the world.
We encourage you to check out just a few of these amazing women and see where they are today.
Saint Mary’s College is exempt from subpart C of Title IX with respect to the undergraduate program; admissions and recruitment are limited to women. Saint Mary’s College offers coeducational graduate programs. Both graduate and undergraduate programs admit students and give equal access to the programs, scholarships, and facilities without regard to race, color, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, religion, or disability.