

Saint Peter's University is a private Jesuit institution founded in Jersey City, New Jersey, in 1872. It began as Saint Peter's College, established to provide a Catholic education in a growing urban community.
The college closed during World War I and reopened in 1930. It later expanded beyond its original liberal arts focus to offer professional and graduate programs. In 2012, it adopted the name Saint Peter's University to reflect that broader range of degrees. Its history still matters to applicants: Jesuit educational traditions remain part of the curriculum and campus mission, while its location has long connected the institution to Jersey City and the wider New York metropolitan area.
Saint Peter's University offers undergraduate and graduate study across the liberal arts, sciences, education, business, nursing, and other professional fields. Its academic organization includes the College of Arts and Sciences, the Caulfield School of Education, the Frank J. Guarini School of Business, and the School of Nursing.
Undergraduate choices include biology, communication, criminal justice, psychology, accounting, business, and nursing. Graduate and professional offerings serve students pursuing fields such as education, business, and health care. Applicants should use the current academic catalog to distinguish a major from a concentration or a graduate program: admission to the university does not necessarily establish eligibility for a particular clinical placement, teacher-certification pathway, or other professionally regulated program.
The reported student-to-faculty ratio is 12 to 1. That institution-wide measure gives a sense of scale, but it does not predict the size of a specific introductory course, laboratory, or graduate seminar.
Saint Peter's University's main campus is in Jersey City, New Jersey, near the Journal Square area. It is an urban campus serving both resident students and a large commuting population.
Journal Square's PATH station and local bus connections give students options for travel within Jersey City and to New York City. Commuters should still check the journey from their own neighborhood, including transfers and evening service, rather than judging convenience by a map alone. Newark Liberty International Airport is the nearest major airport and may be useful for students traveling longer distances.
The setting can provide access to employers, clinical sites, schools, and cultural institutions across the metropolitan area. Those possibilities depend on the student's program, schedule, and the availability of a specific placement.
Saint Peter's University describes its mission in terms of Jesuit education: academic learning alongside ethical reflection, service, and concern for others. Its Catholic and Jesuit identity is an institutional affiliation, not evidence that every student shares the same beliefs.
The university's stated educational approach emphasizes intellectual development, social justice, and engagement with the surrounding community. Prospective students can see how those priorities appear in a particular degree by reviewing its core requirements, service opportunities, and course descriptions. Mission statements express institutional aims; they should not be read as guarantees of an individual student's experience.
Name of the institution
Saint Peter's UniversityLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
City: LargeInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
1,000 - 4,999Religious affiliation
Catholic (Roman Catholic Church)School type
UniversityMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1872Saint Peter's University is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 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.
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degree
Post-master's certificate
Doctor's degree - research/scholarship
Doctor's degree - professional practiceData last updated on November 2, 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.