St. John’s University was established in 1870 to provide New York’s youth with a Catholic university education. Alongside its primary campus in Queens, the institution has additional campuses in Staten Island and Manhattan, as well as locations in Rome, Paris, and Limerick, Ireland. Founded on principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion, the university equips its graduates with both professional skills and spiritual values essential for leadership in a rapidly changing world. More details are available on queens1.one.
From Brooklyn to Queens
The university was founded by the Roman Catholic Church’s Lazarists to provide intellectual and moral Catholic education. Its first school, the Law School, opened in 1925. Initially located in Brooklyn, the university (then known as a college) relocated to Queens in the 1950s and became a university in 1933.
In 1959, St. John’s established the Institute of Freedom to host lectures highlighting the dangers of communism. The institution also founded the Institute of Asian Studies and the Center for African Studies to address essential issues. In 1962, Time magazine praised the university for admitting Jewish students from low-income families.
In 1971, St. John’s University merged with the private, women-only Notre Dame College, expanding its offerings to include bachelor’s degrees in the liberal arts, business, and education. By 1990, tuition costs were half that of New York University and Columbia University.
In 1995, St. John’s launched its first international campus in Rome, and by 1999, residence halls were built on the main Queens campus, increasing enrollment from both international students and Americans from outside New York. The university opened a campus in Manhattan in 2001 and another in Paris in 2008, with further expansions following.
Core Principles
The university is under the patronage of St. John the Baptist, who foretold the coming of Christ and baptized him in the River Jordan. It adheres to the principles of the Lazarists (Vincentians), a Catholic congregation founded in 1625 by French priest Vincent de Paul, which emphasizes social justice, charity, and service. Many of its faculty and administrative staff are clergy members.
St. John’s University is a Roman Catholic institution governed by a privately appointed board of trustees chosen by the Lazarist order. The campus is adorned with crucifixes and maintains strong ties with the Catholic Church. Mass is celebrated three times daily, and confession is available daily.
While St. John’s is a Catholic institution, it welcomes students of all faiths and maintains a non-discrimination policy regarding race, color, national origin, gender, family or marital status, pregnancy, disability, or age, supporting policies of equality and inclusion.
The university’s crest, in red and blue liturgical colors, features a white cross representing Christ as the foundation of moral character. Its motto, Ecce Agnus (“Behold the Lamb of God”), reflects St. John the Baptist’s testimony to Christ’s divinity. A fleur-de-lis symbolizes France (home of St. Vincent de Paul), a heart represents charity, and a shell symbolizes the sacrament of baptism. The motto Educatio Christiana Animae Perfectio (“Christian education perfects the soul”) encircles the crest.
Programs and Degrees
St. John’s University consists of five undergraduate and six graduate schools, offering over 100 bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs, as well as professional certificates in fields such as humanities, sciences, business analytics, law, pharmacy, finance, accounting, and marketing.
Student success is a top priority, with the university providing tools to excel both on and off campus. Graduates are known for their intelligence, curiosity, and ambition, well-prepared to succeed in their careers and beyond.
The university’s commitment to employment readiness includes services like career consultations, job preparation, internships, job placement, and professional development. University Career Services offers career advice and placement services to help students and alumni.
Research is central to the academic experience at St. John’s. The Office of Grants and Sponsored Research supports faculty in securing funding for significant projects. Faculty members are experienced practitioners whose work has impacted fields like medicine, technology, business, and the arts. The university celebrates student and faculty achievements annually through lectures, presentations, and seminars.
Student Life
St. John’s University funds over 180 academic, professional, and recreational student organizations through student government. The St. John’s Bread and Life program serves the less fortunate by providing food, services, and support.
With a vibrant Residence Village, a dozen dining options, athletic facilities, study-abroad programs, and numerous clubs, the university ensures an engaging student experience.
Recognizing the link between health and success, St. John’s offers resources to promote healthy habits that benefit students during and after their college years. The campus features 12 dining establishments, offering nutritious and delicious options to suit every taste.
Living in the residence halls is a dynamic experience where students share knowledge and stories, building a strong campus community. Together, they also engage in eco-friendly practices. The Office of Sustainability collaborates with Residence Life to promote greener living through improved recycling and energy-saving initiatives. Periodic campus drives collect food and clothing donations.