Benedictine College

Benedictine College is a private, co-educational liberal arts college located in Atchison, Kansas, and is strongly affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church and the Order of Saint Benedict (OSB). Its mission is deeply rooted in the Benedictine values of community, faith, and scholarship, aiming to educate students within a faithful, residential community that fosters virtue and provides a foundation for a life of professional success and spiritual fulfillment. The university emphasizes the development of the whole person—mind, body, and soul—and is recognized for its commitment to forming Catholic leaders who can engage and transform culture.

The university's history is the result of the merger of two distinct Catholic institutions in Atchison, Kansas. Its origins date back to 1858 with the founding of St. Benedict’s College for men by the Benedictine monks of St. Benedict's Abbey, and Mount St. Scholastica College for women, established in 1863 by the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica Monastery. For over a century, these two institutions operated separately but in close proximity, sharing common Catholic and Benedictine values. The two colleges officially merged in 1971 to form the current co-educational university. This union preserved the rich monastic traditions and commitment to academic excellence from both founding institutions, solidifying its identity as a premier Catholic liberal arts college.

This university stands out as a flourishing and faithful institution, successfully integrating a demanding liberal arts curriculum with the timeless values of the Benedictine Order. By dedicating itself to the formation of the whole person—intellectual, spiritual, and moral—it provides a comprehensive education aimed at preparing students for leadership and service. Its unique heritage, rooted in the merger of two respected Catholic colleges, underpins a commitment to community and faith that makes the university a distinctive and highly desirable destination for students seeking an authentic and robust Catholic collegiate experience.