Gustavus Adolphus College

#31  for Liberal Arts Colleges (Washington Monthly)
#1  in MN for Most Affordable Hidden Gem Colleges for the Middle Class (College Raptor)
#1  in MN for Best Colleges in the U.S. (Wall Street Journal, 2023)
97%  of students receive financial aid

Why Gustavus?

Grow Your Mind

Make life-long friends. Connect. Play. Travel. Aspire. Study. Learn. Cross disciplines. Meet scholars. Research. Find community. Sing. Tackle. Create. Open your mind.

Dig in and become part of our thriving campus community. If you can imagine it, we can grow it here.

Get growing with Admission

Get more out of college

Our promise of a premier private education at an affordable price, the Gustie Guarantee is for new first-year students.

Learn more about the Gustie Guarantee

Find Your Focus

Where do your passions meet your purpose and values? How do you want to make a difference? In what field will you take on the great challenges of our time, and make your life count?

The Liberal Arts Perspective

PASSION, MEET PURPOSE

In technology-driven, fast-paced, global economies, and in increasingly diverse yet often polarized societies, Gusties remain bolstered by liberal arts ideals. Cross-discipline thinking, lives lived with purpose, proudly taking on challenges — that's what we're known for, that's what we teach here. The world will always change. And our professors teach the greater lessons of change. Our students strive to discover their purpose buried within. Our alums act on those lessons and sense of purpose.

Explore Academics

Gustie Snapshot: Charlie Franke '24

Gustie Snapshot: Mad Chase '23

Gustie Snapshot: Prasanna "Sunny" Rijal '25

You Belong Here

Explore Gustavus

Explore campus in person by scheduling a visit or through our virtual tour and see all the reasons why Gustavus just might be the best college for you.

Schedule a Visit

Student Life at Gustavus

Live Your Whole Life

Gusties use their time on the Hill, inside and outside the classroom to forge lifelong friendships and expand their curiosity about the world. The campus is a hub of activity with vibrant and diverse student life opportunities, from clubs and concerts to arts and athletics. The relationships Gusties form here stay with them always.

Explore Gustavus Life

Student seated working at a lab desk.
Plants growing at Big Hill Farm.
Two female students in choir performance robes hugging and smiling.

Affordable Excellence

We're committed to making education financially attainable

College is a major investment in yourself and your future, and we're committed to making our widely recognized liberal arts education financially attainable for all our students. Let us show you how affordable Gustavus is; you may be surprised at how much financial support you can receive.

Financial Aid at Gustavus

  • #1 school in Minnesota for Social Mobility
    — U.S. News and World Report
  • First-year tuition is free for families with income less than $80,000*
  • Best "college for salary impact" private college in Minnesota — Wall Street Journal
Aerial view of Gustavus Adolphus College and the surrounding Minnesota river valley.

Discover Your Home at Gustavus Adolphus College

Saint Peter isn't just a town; it's your nurturing four-year sanctuary, offering seamless access to both Mankato and the Twin Cities.

Embrace life in this charming college town, nestled in the picturesque Minnesota River Valley. This welcoming backdrop fosters close connections and vibrant experiences. Immerse yourself in cultural riches, explore boutique gems, indulge in diverse cuisine, and relish a wealth of recreational activities. Here, you'll have every opportunity to craft an exceptional college experience.

Discover Saint Peter

Gustie Grads Get Great Jobs

A Gustavus education can take you wherever you want to go.

Four short years as a Gustie sets you up for a lifetime of personal and professional success. Our alumni thrive in competitive graduate programs at institutions like Harvard and Stanford, and land jobs and internships at Fortune 500 companies like Target, Amazon, and United Health Group.

Learn more about student outcomes

  • 83% of the class of 2023 reported participating in engaged learning — internship, research, or study away
  • 80% of Gustavus students engage with the Center for Career Development each year to receive career guidance and support.
  • 9 in 10 Gusties report being employed, continuing education, or doing service within 9 months of graduation First Destination Survey Results from Gustavus Class of 2023

News from Gustavus

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