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Where Is the University of St. Thomas?

The University of St. Thomas is located in St. Paul, Minnesota, with a second campus in nearby Minneapolis — right in the heart of the Twin Cities.

St. Thomas is Minnesota's largest private university and competes in NCAA Division I athletics as the Tommies. With more than 120,000 alumni and a third campus in Rome, Italy, St. Thomas is known for combining big opportunities with a close-knit campus experience. Here are a few other things you may not know about Minnesota's best-kept secret.

map showing St Thomas in relation to the United States

We're ALL FOR the Common Good.

At St. Thomas, everything comes back to one phrase rooted in our Catholic tradition: All for the Common Good. Our patron saint, Thomas Aquinas, believed that faith and reason weren't in tension — they were two paths to the same truth. Our Catholic Studies program, the first of its kind, sparked a national movement of nearly 100 similar programs — and our mission asks every Tommie, regardless of faith background, to think critically, act wisely, and promote human dignity and flourishing.

Banner saying "All For" hanging in front of the Chapel

Tommies are everywhere.

Founded by Archbishop John Ireland, an Irish immigrant, St. Thomas has always had a global identity. Beyond our two Minnesota campuses, we have a permanent campus in Rome, students from 104 countries, and more than 120,000 Tommie alumni spread across the globe — nearly half of our students choose to study abroad. Tommies truly are everywhere.

students in purple shirts walk by a status of John Ireland

Our students are learning real-world power moves.

Our Center for Microgrid Research — one of the only student-focused facilities of its kind in the nation — puts Tommies to work alongside partners like Xcel Energy on real challenges from their first year. Nursing students train through high-fidelity simulation, health science and sports management students work directly with Division I athletes, and 81% of Tommies complete an internship before graduation.

students in the 3D visualization lab

Tommie grads earn more than a living.

While only 34% of students nationally believe their earning potential will exceed the household they grew up in, 80% of Tommies do — and they're right. 89% of our graduates have job offers before they walk across the stage, with a median starting salary of $70,500. Five years out, Tommies earn the highest median salary in Minnesota — higher than graduates of every other public and private university in the state.

students attend a job fair

On Tuesdays, we wear purple.

Like some other famous Minnesotans, we're all about purple — but at St. Thomas it's more than just a color. It’s a tradition. Every Tuesday, students, faculty and staff wear purple across both campuses, and even our track is purple. Whether it's the March Through the Arches, Homecoming, Tommie Fest, or any of our other traditions, Tommies always know that purple means home.

students wearing purple shirts smile at the camera

100% of first-year, first time students are offered a St. Thomas scholarship.

Every single one. And for families earning under $80,000 a year, the average cost of a St. Thomas education is roughly $600 – per year. U.S. News & World Report ranks us among the top 76 Best Value schools in the nation, and our Financial Aid office is available to help every family figure out what St. Thomas actually costs for them. To find out more, visit our admissions page, and learn why St. Thomas won’t be Minnesota’s best-kept secret for long.

patio outside the main University library

Keep Learning

If what you've read here intrigues you, keep learning about St. Thomas.