Benedictine University

What is the history of Benedictine University?

Benedictine University is a private university in Lisle, Illinois, whose roots reach back to 1887. Benedictine monks founded it in Chicago as St. Procopius College to educate young men from the Czech immigrant community. The institution moved to Lisle in 1901.

Its later names reflect a broader academic role: St. Procopius College became Illinois Benedictine College in 1971 and Benedictine University in 1996. Today, it offers undergraduate and graduate programs while retaining its Roman Catholic and Benedictine affiliation. Applicants looking at older records should recognize those former names as part of the same institution's history.

What are the faculties and departments at Benedictine University?

Benedictine University offers programs across the liberal arts, sciences, health fields, education, and business. Its academic organization includes the Goodwin College of Business and colleges focused on liberal arts, science and health, and education and health services.

Representative areas of study include biology, psychology, computer science, criminal justice, accounting, management, education, nutrition, and nursing. Programs lead to different credentials, including bachelor's and graduate degrees; availability and delivery format depend on the specific program. A student interested in a regulated profession, such as nursing or teaching, should check the current program catalog for admission prerequisites, clinical or fieldwork requirements, and the state in which they intend to seek licensure.

The reported student-to-faculty ratio is 15 to 1. That institution-wide measure is not a class-size guarantee: laboratory courses, introductory classes, and graduate seminars can operate quite differently.

What is the location of Benedictine University?

Benedictine University's main campus is in Lisle, a western suburb of Chicago in DuPage County. The suburban setting may suit students who want a campus-based experience while remaining within reach of employers, cultural institutions, and transportation connections across the Chicago region.

Commuting is a substantial part of campus life: approximately three-quarters of students commute, according to the reported housing figures. Prospective commuters should compare their class schedule with actual travel times, parking arrangements, and the cost of getting to campus. Students considering an in-person program should also confirm where its required classes and placements take place rather than assuming every activity is held in Lisle.

What is the mission and vision of Benedictine University?

Benedictine University describes its educational mission in terms of its Roman Catholic and Benedictine heritage, academic learning, ethical development, and service. That religious identity is part of the university's stated purpose; it does not mean every academic program is a theology program or that all students share the same beliefs.

The Benedictine tradition emphasizes community and reflection alongside intellectual work. For an applicant, the practical question is how that identity appears in requirements and opportunities - such as general education, service activities, campus ministry, and discussions of ethics - within the particular program they plan to enter. Institutional statements express the university's aims, not independently measured outcomes.