Catholic Benedictine liberal arts college in Kansas, formed in 1971 by merger, emphasizing faith, scholarship, and classical education.
Benedictine College offers 50+ academic programs across undergraduate and graduate levels. Popular majors include Business (with MBA), Education (with Master of Arts), and Theology. The college added an ABET-accredited Engineering Department in 2010, a nursing program in 2011, and a classical architecture major in 2016. The Discovery Program enables students to create and present original research across disciplines. Graduate offerings include MBA, Master of Arts in Classical Education, Classical Leadership, and School Leadership.
As a Catholic Benedictine institution, the college integrates faith deeply into student life. Mass is offered three times daily; students may pray the Divine Office with monks or sisters. The campus features Mary's Grotto (dedicated 2009), multiple chapels, and outdoor devotional spaces. Active faith groups include FOCUS (founded here by Curtis Martin), Communion and Liberation, and Varsity Catholic. The college hosts pilgrimages to Rome and the Holy Land and emphasizes perpetual adoration and traditional Catholic practices.
The rural campus sits on bluffs overlooking the Missouri River in Atchison. Benedictine competes in NAIA, primarily in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (since 1991–92), fielding 20 varsity sports. The mascot, Rocky the Raven, references St. Benedict's legend of a raven bringing food during his hermitage. The college features performance spaces including the Mabee Theatre (130 seats) and O'Malley-McAllister Auditorium (545 seats), plus Abbey Church and St. Scholastica Chapel for recitals and performances.
The college offers multiple campus visit options including Raven Days, personal visits, and specialized visit days for nursing, architecture, and music students. Transfer and international student pathways are available. The college provides academic support through the Student Success Center and maintains accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission. Scholarships and financial aid are available; the college is an approved SARA participant for distance education.