St. Mary's University

What does St. Mary's University offer in terms of athletics?

St. Mary's University provides a range of athletic programs that allow students to compete at the NCAA Division II level. The university supports both men's and women's sports, including basketball, baseball, cross country, golf, soccer, track and field, and tennis. Additional women's sports include softball and volleyball, offering a variety of opportunities for student-athletes.

The teams, known as the Rattlers, compete in the Lone Star Conference, which features regional competition that enhances both exposure and experience for the athletes. Facilities available to support these programs include dedicated venues for basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer, ensuring that student-athletes have the resources needed for training and competition.

St. Mary's emphasizes balancing athletics with academics, promoting an environment where student-athletes can excel both on the field and in the classroom. This approach aims to foster personal growth, teamwork, and leadership skills through participation in university sports.

What student groups and Associations are available at St. Mary's University?

St. Mary's University offers several student organizations that cater to diverse interests, including both social and risk management groups. Among the student associations are Gamma Lota Sigma, a Risk Management Registered Student Organization, and four social Greek-letter organizations: Lamda Chi Alpha fraternity, and the sororities Sigma Sigma Sigma, Delta Zeta, and Alpha Phi.

Approximately 14 men, representing close to 1.85% of the 756 male students, and 15 women, about 1.31% of the 1,148 female students, participate in these social groups. This reflects a segment of the student body actively engaged in fraternity and sorority life, providing opportunities for social networking and involvement on campus.

Who studies at St. Mary's University?

St. Mary's University hosts a diverse student body with a strong presence of in-state residents, who make up 91% of the population-placing the university in the top 20% nationally for this metric. Out-of-state students, by contrast, comprise only 5%, a figure that ranks in the bottom 20%. The majority of students are from the United States, representing 96% of the total, while those from foreign countries account for a modest 3%. These proportions suggest a predominantly local and domestic student community with a limited international presence.

The size of the incoming classes also reflects an average scale relative to similar institutions. Freshmen enrollment stands at 530 students, and transfer students number 99, yielding a total first-year cohort of 629. These figures place the university in the lower 40% percentile, indicating a moderate but not large influx of new students annually.

Age distribution reveals a wide range of student maturity levels. Among undergraduates, most fall between 18 and 21 years old, with 878 students aged 18-19 and 735 aged 20-21. There are also significant numbers of slightly older undergraduates, including 187 students aged 22-24 and smaller groups extending into older age brackets. Graduate students tend to be older, with large numbers in the 22-24 to 50-64 age ranges, illustrating that many graduate enrollees are pursuing advanced degrees later in their careers.

The ethnic composition of the student population highlights a predominant Hispanic student body, with 1,043 Hispanic students placing the university around the national median for this racial group. White students represent a smaller segment, numbering 201 and ranking in the lower 30% nationally. African American students total 41, while Asian students count 22, both groups falling below average proportions. Smaller populations include Native American, Pacific Islander, and students identifying with two or more races. Notably, a relatively large group of 461 students have an unknown racial designation, placing St. Mary's University in the top 25% nationally for this category, which may reflect reporting variations or students choosing not to disclose ethnic background.

How does student life look like at St. Mary's University?

Student life at St. Mary's University features a variety of cultural and social activities. The campus supports a newspaper, drama productions, and a chorus, providing creative outlets for students interested in the arts. Although there is no campus radio, band, or television station, students have access to these other forms of engagement.

Support services on campus include legal assistance, a health clinic, psychological counseling, and an office dedicated to veterans' affairs, reflecting a commitment to student well-being. However, there is no dedicated women's center.

With a student-faculty ratio of 13, the university maintains a moderately intimate academic environment. The total enrollment of approximately 3,457 students positions the university in the lower 40th percentile range nationally, indicating a smaller scale school experience. A diverse international presence is evident, with students representing 33 countries.

What libraries are available to students at St. Mary's University?

Students at St. Mary's University have access to two libraries, including the main Louis J. Blume Library. This number places the university above average in library availability, ranking in the top half nationally. While the total collection includes nearly 197,000 physical books, this volume falls below the median compared to other institutions.

The university provides 83 subscriptions alongside more than 40,000 digital subscriptions. These resources are more limited relative to many peers, placing digital access and subscriptions in the lower 40th percentile. Additionally, the library supports a sizable digital eBook collection exceeding 529,000 titles and nearly 720 databases, though both figures rank slightly below the midpoint nationally.

Physical and digital library facilities are fully available to students. Study rooms are provided, and staff members are trained to assist with research and resource access. The libraries operate on established schedules, offering a total of 93 weekly service hours; however, all-day access is not provided. Students also benefit from access to shared collections, enhancing their research options beyond the university's own holdings.