Why STEM Applications Should Start with Choosing a Career Direction
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Leavenworth, Kansas, USA
The University of Saint Mary (USM) is a private Catholic university in Leavenworth, Kansas, a 45-minute drive from Kansas City. Founded in 1923. It is a small university with a strong practical orientation — about 1,500 students, a faculty-student ratio of 11:1, and more than 30 undergraduate programs. For foreign applicants, USM is a real opportunity to get an American degree with fair admission requirements and significant financial support.The University of Saint Mary was founded in 1923 by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth as a women’s Catholic college. Today, the university operates in a mixed format and accepts students regardless of gender, nationality, or religion. The religious foundation is reflected not in mandatory theological courses but in the university’s values, which emphasize service to society, respect for individuals, and a focus on ethics in professional activities.
The 200-acre campus is located in Leavenworth, a small town about 45 minutes from Kansas City. A compact, well-maintained environment with residential buildings, educational buildings and sports facilities within walking distance. Proximity to Kansas City provides access to internships in medicine, business, education, and finance.
The main distinguishing feature of USM is a personal approach. The student-teacher ratio of 11:1 means that the student works in small groups and has real access to teachers. Keleher Learning Commons, an academic support center, provides free tutoring, individual consultations, and training workshops. This is especially important for international students who need support in their first months of study.
| Degree of education | bachelor's degree, master's degree, doctoral degree, and professional programs |
| Percentage of accepted students | 90% is one of the most affordable private universities in the United States |
| Scholarships | At least 95% of students on the main campus receive financial aid; the average freshman grant in 2025 is over \$24,000 |
| Areas of study | nursing, business, psychology, pedagogy, biology, computer information systems, social sciences |
| Type | Private Catholic University of Liberal Arts |
| The size of the student campus | about 1,462 students (1,027 bachelors + master's and doctoral students) |
| Student campus | Leavenworth, Kansas, USA — 200 acres, 45 minutes from Kansas City |
Bachelor’s degree: $36,936 per year (tuition 2026-2027, estimated; 2024-2025 – $35,380)
Master’s degree: $9,073 per year (base rate for graduate programs 2025)
Doctoral program (Doctor of Physical Therapy): \$995 per credit hour (June 2026 cohort, fixed rate for 3 years); Accelerated BSN program (nursing): \$640 per credit hour
USM offers more than 30 undergraduate programs, eight graduate programs, and a doctoral program in physical therapy:
The USM campus in Leavenworth is compact, safe, and well-maintained. The small size of the university creates an atmosphere where students know each other and feel supported by the community, which is especially important for international students who are new to the country.
The residential buildings (Berkel, Maria, and Steele Hall) are located within walking distance of the academic buildings. The campus features a dining hall and several cafes offering a variety of dining options. Keleher Learning Commons provides academic support to all students: tutoring, counseling, and academic writing workshops are free.
USM participates in NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) and offers team sports such as basketball, baseball, football, volleyball, and wrestling. There are over 20 student clubs and organizations, including academic societies, cultural associations, and volunteer groups.
Leavenworth is a small town with a low crime rate and a compact, well-guarded campus. Kansas City, a 45-minute drive away, offers access to major employers, cultural events, and an international airport.
The admission process at USM is significantly easier than at elite American universities. The university accepts about 90% of applicants and is focused on a wide range of students with different academic backgrounds.
Before applying, you need to decide on a field — the requirements and deadlines vary slightly depending on the program. DPT and medical fields have separate requirements.
High school diploma or transcript with an official English translation. There is no strict minimum GPA; the average GPA of applicants is around 3.33.
TOEFL (minimum 61 iBT for most programs) or IELTS (minimum 5.5); internal English testing offered by the university itself is also possible.
Not required for most undergraduate programs. For graduate and DPT programs, one or two letters are typically required.
A short essay describing your professional goals and the reasons for choosing this program.
Directly through the university’s website. The processing fee is \$25 (not \$50, as is sometimes indicated). It is recommended to start the process at least 90 days before the start of the semester to complete the paperwork and obtain an F-1 student visa.
For international applicants, the application package includes:
The USM financial Support System is one of the most accessible among private universities in the United States. According to the official website stmary.edu At least 95% of students on the main campus receive financial aid annually.
The median salary for USM graduates six years after graduation is $54,827 per year (US News). This is higher than the national average for graduates of similar universities ($43,688). The university ranks #47 in the US News 2026 Social Mobility Ranking, which measures how well a university helps students from less affluent backgrounds achieve career success.
USM graduates work in healthcare facilities in Kansas and Kansas City, schools and social services in the region, and business companies in the Midwest. For international students, a degree from an accredited American university opens up opportunities for both working in the United States (OPT/STEM OPT for a number of programs) and pursuing further education in a more prestigious master’s program.
The University of Saint Mary is one of the few private universities in the United States where at least 95% of students receive financial aid each year.
The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program fixes the tuition fees for each cohort for three years, a rare practice in the American higher education system.
USM is part of the Midwest Student Exchange program, which allows residents of certain states (Indiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, and Wisconsin) to qualify for reduced tuition rates.
The university offers undergraduate business programs in partnership with Kansas correctional facilities, a rare and socially significant initiative in American higher education.
Keleher Learning Commons provides free tutoring and academic support to all students, which is especially valuable for first-year and international students.
Despite its small size, USM offers online and evening formats for many programs, allowing students to combine their studies with internships or jobs.
Applying to USM is a simpler process than applying to top universities, but it is still important to properly prepare your documents, choose the right program, and submit your application on time. At SelfStartGlobal, we help you:
Our students have already received scholarships worth more than \$35 million.
If you want to apply to the University of Saint Mary, come for a free consultation. We will tell you how it works in your specific case.
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