About Benedictine University

Why Consider Benedictine University?

Benedictine University’s envisions itself as a thought leader in Catholic higher education and strives to provide a transformative and integrative educational experience grounded in Benedictine values. The school aims to help students shape lives of meaning and purpose as engaged citizens who also care for the earth. People of diverse faiths and cultures are welcome at Benedictine University, and overall, the school works to promote the common good.

Here are some other great reasons to consider attending Benedictine University to pursue your graduate degree: 

Benedictine University’s Values

Benedictine University uses its courses, campuses, and programs to fulfill its mission and instill in its students certain values. Overall, it values teaching students how to build a just society and live lives of holiness, particular amidst modern society’s many challenges. The schools embraces the following key values of the Catholic Church:

• The idea that human life is sacred and precious.
• The belief that human beings are not only sacred, but social.
• The belief that human rights must be protected and responsibilities met.
• The idea that humans must pay attention to how the poor fair.
• The idea that the economy must serve people, not the other way around.
• The belief in solidarity—that we are one human family, no matter our perceived or real differences.
• The belief that we are stewards of God’s creations.

Benedictine University’s Location Options

Benedictine University offers on campus options to its graduate students. For students who want to attend on campus, there are several options. The school’s main campus is the Benedictine University Lisle, IL location, situated in a suburb just outside of Chicago. Otherwise, depending on their programs, on-campus students can attend the Benedictine University at Springfield, IL or the Benedictine University Mesa, AZ Branch Campus.

Online Options at Benedictine University

Benedictine University Online offers options for graduate students who work full-time or otherwise require the flexibility and convenience of online programming. Online students can choose from five master’s degree programs, five graduate certificate programs, and four dual degree programs.

Benedictine University Faculty and Class Size

In fall 2016, Benedictine University employed 144 full-time instructors and 441 part-time instructors. One hundred percent of the school’s instructors devoted themselves to providing instruction; none were required by the school to focus on research or public service activities.ⁱⁱⁱ Faculty at Benedictine University emphasize the Catholic Social Teaching’s key themes when designing curricula, policies, and activities. 

At Benedictine University, there are 12 students to every one instructor, and seventy percent of the school’s classes have fewer than 20 students.ⁱⁱⁱ

Benedictine University’s Rankings

In 2018, U.S. News ranked Benedictine University #223 (tie) in National Universities and gave it an overall score of 27 out of 100.ⁱ In 2017, its online nursing program tied for #73 in the Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs category. For the seventh consecutive year, Forbes magazine named Benedictine University among “America’s Top Colleges” in 2017. That same year, The Chronicle of Higher Education ranked the school #8 among the fastest growing colleges in the country for private nonprofit doctoral schools between 2005 and 2015.ⁱⁱ