Laudable, Lutheran Liberal Arts Education at Gustavus Adolphus
Gustavus Adolphus College appears in our ranking of the 50 Most Amazing University Botanical Gardens and Arboretums in the U.S.
Ranked 90th nationally by the U.S. News & World Report, Gustavus Adolphus College is a selective, residential ELCA member that builds atop its Three Crowns Curriculum for 72 bachelor’s majors and 12 interdisciplinary minors in Minnesota with an 11:1 student-faculty ratio. For example, the Athletic Training BA shapes a 136-credit, CAATE-accredited degree under Dr. Liz Drake with applied courses like Biomechanics and Division III team experience for 95 percent certification success. Chaired by Dr. Anna Versluis, the 136-credit Geography BA lets undergrads join Gamma Theta Upsilon, access the Robert Moline Map Library, and intern at the Department of Natural Resources.
At Nobel Hall, the Chemistry BA follows a 136-credit, ACS-certified sequence led by Dr. Amanda Nienow with hands-on Analytical Instrumentation Lab projects, Fred Hutchinson Center co-ops, and Annual Research Symposium presentations for optional K-12 STEM teaching certification. Directed by Dr. Pamela Conners, the 136-credit Communication Studies BA encourages undergrads to join Public Discourse, publish The Gustavian Weekly, study abroad from Malaysia to Sweden, and volunteer with Language Buddies.
Other top-notch offerings include the Scandinavian Studies BA, Art History BA, Physical Education BA, Music BA, Anthropology BA, Computer Science BA, Statistics BA, Religion BA, Gender & Sexuality Studies BA, Geology BA, and International Management BA.
About Gustavus Adolphus College
Gustavus Adolphus College originated in May 1862 when Swedish Lutheran pastor Eric Norelius started a parochial academy for Minnesota Conference congregants in Red Wing. In 1863, an inaugural class of 11 entered the United States’ oldest coed Augustana school. In 1865, it was named St. Ansgar’s Academy to honor the canonized Archbishop of Hamburg-Bremen. In 1873, it was reincorporated as Gustavus Adolphus Literary & Theological Institute in Minneapolis. On October 16, 1876, Old Main officially opened at its present 138-hectare St. Peter campus. By 1890, the Gustavus Adolphus College name was adopted and the first bachelor’s degrees were awarded. In 1965, Gustavus Adolphus started hosting the Nobel Conference annually. In 1988, it formed a covenant with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. In 2009, GAC also began the Big Hill Farm for organic agriculture.
Endowed for $166.8 million, Gustavus Adolphus College now employs 224 faculty teaching 2,217 Golden Gusties from 43 states and 23 nations in 21 Twin Cities buildings with 120+ clubs like the Philosophers’ Guild. In 2011, its Foike Bernadotte Memorial Library won the ALA John Cotton Dana Library Public Relations Award. In 2016, the Society of Physics Students Chapter accepted the SPS Blake Lilly Prize. In 2018, Gustavus Adolphus was a CASE Educational Fundraising Award finalist too. Forbes crowned GAC the 137th best private university and 68th top liberal arts school. On Niche, GAC boasts America’s 50th best teaching, 62nd top performing arts, and 64th best chemistry degrees. Money magazine declared Gustavus Adolphus College the 145th top value with median loan debt of $27,000. Washington Monthly named GAC 73rd countrywide for social mobility.
Gustavus Adolphus College Accreditation Details
On August 20, 2013, Gustavus Adolphus College received a formal notification from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA) Institutional Actions Council that extended the Level II accreditation through 2022-23 under its 17th president, Dr. Rebecca M. Bergman, who earned a George Family Foundation Twin Cities Women Leaders Award. Headquartered 437 miles southeast via Interstate 90 in Chicago, this large 19-state Upper Midwest Region accreditor is authorized by the U.S. Education Department and Minnesota Office of Higher Education. Gustavus Adolphus College also features the following programmatic accreditations:
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- National Association of Schools of Music
- Council on the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
- American Chemical Society Professional Training Committee
- Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
- Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
Gustavus Adolphus College Application Requirements
Getting into Gustavus Adolphus College is classified “very difficult” by Peterson’s since 3,279 of the 4,834 Fall 2017 applicants were triumphant for competitive 68 percent acceptance. First-year Golden Gusties must have culminated a challenging, college-prep high school curriculum with four units of English and Math. Ranking in the upper third of one’s graduating class is mandated. Freshmen hold an average overall GPA of 3.62 in grades 9-12. The middle 50th percentile scored 25-29 on the ACT exam. Mid-range SAT composite scores were 1100-1340. The Admission Committee allows test-optional entrance if GPAs rise above 3.0. Successful college-level transfers typically have finished at least one year at other accredited institutions. Having honorable standing plus cumulative GPAs over 2.4 is required. Immigrants from non-English countries are welcome with at least 6.0 IELTS or 80 TOEFL iBT marks.
Gustavus Adolphus College enforces an Early Action deadline of November 1st with rolling admission after November 15th. Final deadlines are August 15th for Fall and January 15th for Spring enrollment. International students generally must file by May 1st or December 15th. Accordingly, complete the Gustavus Transfer or Common Application online for free. Official transcript papers are mailed to 800 West College Avenue in Saint Peter, MN 56082. If chosen, electronic testing results are generated using ACT code 2112 or SAT/TOEFL code 6253. Supplemental steps include the school counselor report, teacher recommendation form, mid-year grades, transfer evaluation, enrollment plan, and personal essay. Learn more by contacting (507) 933-7676 or [email protected].
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2019-20, Gustavus Adolphus College is billing full-time Bachelor of Arts majors $23,260 per semester or $46,520 annually. Undergrads pay mandatory service fees of $720 each year. Living at the Saint Peter campus’ dorms like Prairie View Hall adds $6,460 for yearly housing. Unlimited meal plans for Market Place are $3,700 extra. GAC budgets $900 for textbooks and $1,160 for personal supplies. Annual undergrad attendance equals about $58,490 on-site or $48,580 with parents.
According to the NCES College Navigator, the Financial Aid Office in Jackson Student Union links 97 percent of full-time GAC Golden Gusties to tuition assistance averaging $29,426 apiece for $64.50 million combined. Institutional funds include the Dean’s Scholarship, National Merit Scholarship, Gustavus Legacy Award, Paul L. Rucker Scholarship, Diversity Scholarship, Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship, Music Scholarship, Art Scholarship, Lutheran Leadership Scholarship, Army ROTC Scholarship, Count Folke Bernadotte International Scholarship, Jussi Bjorling Scholarship, and Theatre Scholarship. The Presidents Scholarship gifts $28,500 yearly to outstanding freshmen with a minimum 1400 SAT or 30 ACT score. The Congregational Matching Scholarship has a June 15th deadline for religious students to earn $1,000. FAFSA applications coded 002353 unlock federal need-based aid, including the Pell, Supplemental Education Opportunity, and Teach Grant. The Minnesota State Grant provides up to $11,812 for in-state residents age 17+ who register for at least 3.75 courses each semester.
Search through 70+ Christian majors in 25 academic departments placed 161st overall by The Wall Street Journal at the Gustavus Adolphus College website.