
St. Norbert College is a private Catholic college founded in De Pere, Wisconsin, in 1898 by Bernard Pennings, a priest of the Norbertine order. Its religious origins remain part of its identity, alongside its liberal arts curriculum.
The college takes its name from St. Norbert of Xanten, who founded the Norbertine order. What began as a small educational institution has developed into a college offering undergraduate majors across the humanities, sciences, education and business, as well as graduate study. Its continued location in De Pere and association with the Norbertines help explain the emphasis on community and service in its stated educational purpose.
St. Norbert College offers a liberal arts education with undergraduate programs spanning the arts, humanities, natural and social sciences, education and business. The Donald J. Schneider School of Business and Economics is a named academic unit; students can also pursue subjects such as biology, computer science, communication, psychology, history, music and teacher education.
Prospective students should distinguish a major from a professional qualification. For example, completing an education program and qualifying for a Wisconsin teaching license involve requirements beyond selecting an education major. The same principle applies to students considering graduate or licensed professions after a bachelor's degree. The college's current academic catalog is the appropriate place to check a program's degree requirements, available concentrations and any admission requirements within the major.
The reported student-to-faculty ratio is 14 to 1. That institution-wide measure describes staffing relative to enrollment, not the size of every class or the availability of a particular course.
St. Norbert College is in De Pere, Wisconsin, on the Fox River near Green Bay. Its location gives students a campus setting within reach of the larger Green Bay area's employers, services and cultural venues.
De Pere is not a major transit hub, so transportation arrangements matter for students planning internships, jobs or frequent travel. First-year students are permitted to register a car for campus parking, subject to college rules. Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport is the nearby commercial airport; students should check ground transportation options rather than assume an airport shuttle is included.
St. Norbert College describes its mission through its Catholic, Norbertine and liberal arts traditions. Its stated educational priorities include intellectual development, community, reflection and service. These are institutional aims, not measured outcomes for every student.
The Norbertine idea of communio - life and work in community - is central to how the college explains its identity. Applicants need not assume that a religious affiliation makes every academic or extracurricular activity religious, but they should consider how a faith-informed mission may appear in campus traditions, service opportunities and coursework. The college's current mission statement and academic requirements provide the clearest account of what all students are expected to study.
Name of the institution
Saint Norbert CollegeLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
Suburb: MidsizeInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
1,000 - 4,999Religious affiliation
Catholic (Roman Catholic Church)School type
Comprehensive higher education institutionMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1898Saint Norbert College is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Certificate of less than 1 year
Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degreeData last updated on November 5, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.