Why Gustavus?

We know you are asking yourself the question, "why should I choose Gustavus?" Here are the top five reasons, in no particular order, we feel Gustavus Adolphus College is the best... 

1.  COMMUNITY

Vibrant downtown of St. Peter, MN

Gustavus is located in the lovely town of St. Peter, MN, 65 miles southwest of the Twin Cities and 12 miles north of Mankato.  Nestled in the heart of the Minnesota River Valley, St. Peter has that small-town feel everyone is looking for. Locals are friendly and very involved in the community, evident with St. Peter's vibrant downtown filled with local businesses, a farmers market on Tuesdays and Saturdays, in-the-park movies, and outdoor festivals filled with live music.  We even have the St. Peter Pearly Gates!  Make your way here to see for yourself!

Local Farmers Market

Live Music at the Rock Bend Festival

St. Peter Pearly Gates

2.  ACADEMICS

Here at Gustavus we like to breed "A" students.  Gustavus Adolphus College is known for its academic quality, which is measured in many ways: coeducational liberal arts education, student-to-faculty ration of 11:1, average class size of 15, 93% retention rate for first year students, and the nationally renowned Nobel Conference, to name a few. The College takes academics very seriously, so if you are planning on being a student-athlete, "student" always comes first.  We have a wide variety of majors and minors, for every unique person and over 90% of students participate in some type of experiential education during their time at Gustavus.  Part of the mission of Gustavus "is to help its students attain their full potential as persons, to develop in them a capacity and passion for lifelong learning, and to prepare them for fulfilling lives of leadership and service in society."

Nobel Conference

3.  SCHOOL SIZE

Gustavus Adolphus has a walking campus

 In our player's opinion, the school size is very COOL.  With a student body of 2,500, it's comforting to walk around campus and see familiar faces.  It's very rare to go to the Market Place (also known as The Caf) or the Library and not run into someone you know.  Also, as stated in the Academics section, the student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1 is excellent.  Not only do the small class sizes keep you accountable for your work, it also helps you learn.  It's a lot easier to ask a question in class or feel comfortable staying after to talk with your professors when there are only 14 other students in your class.  You're professors genuinely want to get to know you on a personal level and are interested in providing you with the education and resources you deserve.

Average Class Size of 15

4.  THE FOOD 

The Market Place

Receiving an A+ Grade from the College Prowler, Gustavus Adolphus has some of the best college food in the country.  The Market Place, aka The Caf, is centrally located in the Jackson Campus Center and is open every day from 7:00am-11:00pm.  Offering a wide variety of food options, including a rotisserie, made-to-order subs, pizzas, pastas, hamburgers, Mexican, Chinese, vegetarian, a salad bar and even a gluten-free area, students never get bored of the options. Plus, the selections at these stations change on a daily basis.  On top of all those options, there is a bakery where you can find a plethora of freshly made pastries and desserts and even order your roommates birthday cake! Don't forget to memorize the pizzeria number, which makes stellar pizza and cheesy bread and can be ordered for pickup anytime while The Caf is open.

Rotisserie

Fresh Baked Goods from the Bakery 

Order a Pizza from the Pizzeria

5.  SOCCER

2012 Gustie Soccer Team 

SO, what's the best thing about being on the Gustavus Women's Soccer Team?  Well, cross "home-sickness" off your list as you will have instant best friends and form bonds that will never be broken.  The team becomes your family, which is great for students moving away from home for college. Also,  with three full-sized practice fields for varsity soccer alone, as well as a top-of-the-art olympic size grass competition field, the Gustavus soccer facilities are amazing to say the least.  Imagine this: first game of the season, you step onto the game field for the first time sending chills up your back, you're warming up to a great pump-up mix and you've got the gorgeous blue skies of Minnesota on the horizon.  Not only are you playing the sport you love, but fans are out cheering you on.  If that's not a great feeling, then we don't know what is.

The Gustie Soccer Game Field

Now you see why we feel Gustavus is the best-- Hopefully you feel the same!