University of St. Thomas Scholarships (2026–2027)
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Last Updated on January 25, 2026- Tuition, housing, and what families typically pay on average
- Automatic merit ranges and how awards are usually determined
- Competitive and hidden-gem scholarships worth a look
- Honors opportunities and realistic stacking strategies
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~85–90%
- Middle 50% ACT: ~23–28
- Middle 50% SAT: ~1170–1360
- Average GPA (HS): ~3.6
Source: University of St. Thomas admissions reporting and recent CDS summaries. Ranges shown are synthesized estimates.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
St. Thomas at a Glance
https://www.stthomas.edu/costs/undergraduate/
https://www.stthomas.edu/financial-aid/undergraduate/
https://www.stthomas.edu/admissions/undergraduate/first-year/
💰 Cost of Attendance at University of St. Thomas (2026–2027)
These are the direct, billed costs for a full-time undergraduate student living on campus. The University of St. Thomas uses a single tuition rate for all students, regardless of residency.
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees | $58,598 | $58,598 |
| Housing & Meals (Standard) | $15,784 | $15,784 |
| Total (Direct/Billed) | $74,382 | $74,382 |
Why only these items? We show the costs you typically pay directly to the university: tuition, required fees, housing, and meals. St. Thomas also estimates additional “indirect” expenses in its official Cost of Attendance, such as:
- Books & supplies: $1,000
- Transportation: $868
- Personal / miscellaneous: $1,522
📉 Average Net Price (What Families Actually Pay)
The average net price is approximately $32,600 per year after grants and scholarships (recent federal average).
Your family’s net price can be much lower (or higher) depending on income, assets, academic merit, and need-based aid.
Use the St. Thomas Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.
Learn how net price and the Student Aid Index (SAI) work in our
Net Price & SAI Guide.
🧾 A quick “real world” cost scenario (illustrative)
Here’s a simple example to help parents translate scholarships into a realistic starting point. This is not a promise — just a way to sanity-check expectations.
- Student profile: ~3.6–3.8 GPA, ACT around the high-20s (or test-optional), typical extracurriculars
- Likely merit outcome: often lands in the middle of the St. Thomas Academic Scholarship band (roughly $27k–$35k per year)
- What that means: tuition starts looking less like “$58k+” and more like “high-$20k to low-$30k” before need-based grants or competitive scholarships
Parent strategy: run 2–3 net price calculators (St. Thomas + your public flagship + one peer private) and compare the net, not the sticker.
- Single Tuition Rate: St. Thomas charges the same tuition for all undergraduates, regardless of residency.
- No Reciprocity Programs: As a private university, St. Thomas does not participate in WUE, ACM, MSEP, or border-state tuition exchanges.
- Merit Aid Is the Primary Discount: Most admitted first-year students receive institutional merit aid automatically, often in the $27,000–$35,000 per year range.
- Full-Tuition Opportunities Exist: Competitive programs like Dease, GHR Fellows, and Schulze Innovation can cover 100% of tuition for selected students.
Parent takeaway: At St. Thomas, cost differences come from merit and need-based aid — not your home state.
FAQ — Cost of Attendance at University of St. Thomas
Why doesn’t St. Thomas list separate in-state and out-of-state tuition?
St. Thomas is a private university, so tuition is not based on state residency. All undergraduates pay the same base tuition rate.
Is $74,382 what most families actually pay?
Not usually. That figure reflects the “sticker price” for tuition, required fees, housing, and meals. Many students reduce this amount through automatic merit scholarships and need-based financial aid.
What costs are not included in the billed total?
Billed costs are tuition, required fees, housing, and meals. The university’s cost of attendance also includes indirect estimates like books, transportation, and personal expenses.
Can competitive scholarships cover full tuition?
Yes. St. Thomas offers several competitive programs that can cover full tuition for selected students, but families should assume housing and meals are usually separate unless an award explicitly includes them.
How should families think about “net price” at a private college?
Net price is the most useful number: it’s the cost after grants and scholarships. Two families can see very different net prices at the same school, so the Net Price Calculator is the best next step.
https://www.stthomas.edu/costs/undergraduate/
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/university-of-st-thomas-saint-paul-mn/tuition-and-costs
https://www.stthomas.edu/financial-aid/undergraduate/net-price-calculator/
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships at University of St. Thomas
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility / Criteria | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Typically Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Thomas Academic Scholarship | $27,000–$35,000 per year | Admission-based; GPA, rigor, and overall academic profile reviewed holistically* | No | Yes — up to 4 years | Most admitted students; typical profiles ≈ 3.5+ GPA, strong coursework* | Automatic with admission (apply by Jan 15) |
| National Merit Finalist Scholarship | $10,000 per year | National Merit Finalist who lists St. Thomas as first-choice institution | No (designation via NMSC) | Yes — up to 4 years | Students recognized at the national level for PSAT performance | NMSC first-choice deadline (spring) |
| St. Thomas Transfer Academic Award | Up to $31,000 per year | Transfer students; college GPA and credit rigor considered* | No | Yes — varies by entry year | Strong transfer applicants, often ≈ 3.3–3.7 college GPA* | Automatic with transfer admission |
| Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Scholarship | $2,000–$5,000 per year | Active Phi Theta Kappa member; 3.0+ college GPA | No (membership verified) | Yes — with continued enrollment | Community college transfers with strong academics | Automatic with transfer admission |
*GPA/test ranges are estimates based on past recipients and published student profiles; actual thresholds can change by year.
FAQ — Automatic Merit at University of St. Thomas
Do I need to apply separately for merit scholarships?
No. St. Thomas’s primary academic scholarships are awarded automatically at admission. There is no separate merit application for first-year students.
Is merit aid guaranteed?
While award amounts vary, the university states that nearly all admitted first-year students receive an institutional scholarship.
Do higher test scores increase my merit award?
Not after admission. Because St. Thomas is test-optional, test scores submitted after admission are used for placement only and do not raise scholarship amounts.
Can automatic merit stack with competitive scholarships?
In many cases, yes. However, some competitive awards may replace part of the automatic merit package. Families should confirm stacking rules for specific awards.
When should I apply to maximize merit?
Apply by the January 15 deadline at the latest. Earlier applications are reviewed sooner and may improve access to the highest merit tiers.
https://www.stthomas.edu/financial-aid/undergraduate/scholarships/
https://www.stthomas.edu/admissions/undergraduate/first-year/test-optional/
https://www.stthomas.edu/admissions/undergraduate/transfer/
🏆 Flagship (Competitive) Scholarships at University of St. Thomas
These scholarships require separate applications, essays, and often interviews. They are highly selective and awarded to a small number of students each year.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility / Criteria | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Typically Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GHR Fellows Program | Full tuition (banded) | Business majors only; strong academics, leadership, global interest | Yes — application + interview | Yes — 4 years | Top business applicants; very small cohort with leadership depth | January 9 |
| Schulze Innovation Scholarship | Full tuition (banded) | Entrepreneurship majors; innovation focus; interview required | Yes — application + interview | Yes — 4 years | Entrepreneurial self-starters with initiative and leadership | January 9 |
| Dease Scholarship Program | Full tuition | High financial need + academic readiness; FAFSA or MN Dream Act required | Yes — separate application | Yes — 4 years | Students with significant need and strong academic preparation | February 9 FAFSA/Dream Act by Feb 1 |
| Ciresi-Walburn Leadership Fellows | $17,500 per year | Minnesota high school graduates; leadership + high financial need | Yes — separate application | Yes — 4 years | ≈10 MN students per year with sustained leadership impact | February 26 |
| Board of Governors Summit Scholarship (Engineering) | $10,000 per year | Engineering majors; strong STEM background* | Yes — department application | Yes — with continued eligibility | High-achieving engineering applicants | March 5 Admission by Jan 15 |
*GPA expectations are estimates based on past recipients and program descriptions; exact thresholds are not published and may change annually.
⚠️ What families often miss at St. Thomas
- Full tuition ≠ full ride: even “full-tuition” awards usually do not cover housing, meals, and mandatory fees.
- Merit usually doesn’t increase after admission: submitting higher test scores later typically won’t raise an already-issued merit amount.
- Competitive awards can change your package: some programs replace parts of other aid rather than stacking on top of everything.
- Departmental money shows up later: many “hidden gem” awards are for current students and require checking OneStThomas or departmental portals.
- Major-specific fees are real: programs like Nursing may carry additional required fees that aren’t covered by tuition-only awards.
If something in your offer letter is unclear, email Financial Aid and ask for the stacking rules in writing.
FAQ — Flagship Scholarships at University of St. Thomas
Are these scholarships guaranteed if I meet the criteria?
No. Flagship scholarships are highly competitive and awarded to a limited number of students, even among qualified applicants.
Are “full-tuition” scholarships the same as full-ride?
No. Full-tuition awards cover the banded tuition amount only. Mandatory fees, housing, meals, and some program-specific fees are typically not included.
Do these awards stack with automatic merit?
Sometimes. Some flagship awards replace part of the automatic merit package rather than stacking on top of it. Families should confirm stacking rules for each award.
When should students start preparing these applications?
Most flagship deadlines fall between early January and early March. Students should plan to complete essays and recommendations before winter break.
https://www.stthomas.edu/financial-aid/undergraduate/scholarships/
https://business.stthomas.edu/degrees-programs/undergraduate/scholarships/
https://www.stthomas.edu/student-affairs/departments/sdis/dease-scholarship-program/
🎖 Honors & Scholars Programs at University of St. Thomas
At St. Thomas, honors programs focus on academic enrichment, smaller seminars, and priority access — not large automatic scholarships. Some students pair honors participation with separate competitive awards.
Aquinas Scholars Honors Program
The Aquinas Scholars Program is St. Thomas’s primary university-wide honors option. It emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, ethics, discussion-based seminars, and close faculty mentorship.
- Eligibility: Typically requires a 3.8+ high school GPA for incoming freshmen
- Application: Separate honors application (after or alongside admission)
- Program Type: Academic honors (not a scholarship)
- Key Perks: Small honors seminars, priority registration, faculty advising
Important: Aquinas Scholars admission does not automatically include additional merit aid. Any scholarship support is awarded separately.
Trustees & Honors-Linked Scholarships
Some honors-eligible students are invited to apply for smaller competitive awards, often referred to as Trustees or Board-level academic scholarships.
- Award Size: Modest (typically a few thousand dollars per year)
- Eligibility: Strong academics (often 3.7+ GPA) and honors-level preparation
- Application: Separate essay or invitation-based process
- Stacking: May layer with automatic merit, depending on award terms
Because these awards change year to year, families should confirm current amounts and criteria directly with Financial Aid.
Departmental Honors & Scholars Tracks
In addition to Aquinas Scholars, many majors offer department-specific honors tracks, especially in Business, Engineering, and select liberal arts fields.
- Often open to students after the first year
- May require a minimum college GPA (typically ~3.5+)
- Includes capstone projects, research, or thesis work
- Some departments pair honors status with small internal scholarships
FAQ — Honors at University of St. Thomas
Does the Aquinas Scholars Program come with a scholarship?
No. Aquinas Scholars is an academic honors program. Scholarships are awarded separately through merit or competitive processes.
Is honors worth it if there isn’t much money attached?
For many students, yes. Priority registration, smaller classes, and faculty mentoring can be valuable — especially for pre-med, pre-law, and graduate-bound students.
Can honors students still receive flagship or hidden-gem scholarships?
Yes. Honors participation does not prevent students from receiving competitive, departmental, or need-based awards.
Should students apply to Aquinas Scholars if their GPA is below 3.8?
Generally no. The program is selective, and students below the GPA guideline are less likely to be admitted unless there are exceptional circumstances.
https://www.stthomas.edu/academics/aquinas-scholars/
https://www.stthomas.edu/financial-aid/undergraduate/scholarships/
⭐ College Specialty
The University of St. Thomas sits at an interesting crossroads: a Catholic liberal arts foundation paired with strong, career-driven professional programs in the heart of the Twin Cities. Families often discover St. Thomas while searching for a values-based private university, but what tends to stand out over time is how consistently its graduates move into business, engineering, health, and education roles across the Midwest and beyond.
Business & Entrepreneurship — The Opus College of Business is widely known in the region for entrepreneurship, ethics-based leadership, and real-world business integration. Signature programs like the Schulze Innovation pathway and GHR Fellows reflect St. Thomas’s emphasis on applied learning and global perspective.
- Business & Accounting: Strong employer pipelines in finance, accounting, and management across the Twin Cities; emphasis on ethical leadership and applied experience.
- Engineering: A growing School of Engineering with hands-on design, industry partnerships, and undergraduate research opportunities beginning as early as the first year.
- Health Sciences & Nursing: Well-regarded pre-health advising and clinical preparation, particularly for students pursuing nursing, physical therapy, and related fields.
- Catholic Studies & Liberal Arts: One of the largest Catholic Studies programs in the U.S., blending theology, philosophy, history, and ethics within a modern academic setting.
🔗 Official University of St. Thomas Links
Use the University of St. Thomas’s official resources below to confirm admissions requirements, scholarship policies, costs, and academic offerings. Always rely on these pages for final deadlines and award terms.
-
Undergraduate Admissions:
https://www.stthomas.edu/admissions/undergraduate/ -
Application Types & Deadlines:
https://www.stthomas.edu/admissions/undergraduate/first-year/application-process/ -
Scholarships & Institutional Aid:
https://www.stthomas.edu/financial-aid/undergraduate/scholarships/ -
Tuition, Fees & Cost of Attendance:
https://www.stthomas.edu/costs/undergraduate/ -
Net Price Calculator:
https://www.stthomas.edu/financial-aid/undergraduate/net-price-calculator/ -
Common Data Set & Institutional Research:
https://www.stthomas.edu/about/departments/institutional-research/
🧭 Is University of St. Thomas a good fit for your student?
This is one of those private schools where the sticker price can be scary — but the typical admitted student does not start at sticker. St. Thomas tends to be a strong “value private” when your student is likely to earn meaningful merit and will actually use the Twin Cities network.
- Great fit: students with solid grades (often ~3.3–3.8+) who want a private-school experience and are likely to land in the automatic merit range.
- Strong fit: Business or Engineering students who plan to pursue internships early (Twin Cities advantage matters most here).
- Worth a serious look: students aiming for full-tuition competitive programs (like Dease, GHR Fellows, or Schulze) and willing to complete extra applications.
- Not the best fit: families who need a true full-ride (tuition + housing + fees) or students who don’t plan to pursue internships, departments, or scholarship portals after enrollment.
CRP note: St. Thomas can be a “break-even” school — meaning it can land close to a public flagship price only if merit and/or competitive awards show up at the higher end.