# Saint Leo University

> private, nonprofit, Roman Catholic liberal arts university established in 1889 in St. Leo, Florida

**Wikidata**: [Q892503](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q892503)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Leo_University)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/saint-leo-university

## Summary
Saint Leo University is a private, nonprofit Roman Catholic liberal arts university founded in 1889 in St. Leo, Florida. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs, emphasizing a values-based education rooted in the Benedictine tradition. As of recent data, it serves approximately 14,500 students across its campus and online platforms.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1889 in St. Leo, Florida, as a Roman Catholic institution.
- Private, nonprofit university with a Roman Catholic affiliation (Catholic Church).
- Serves around 14,500 students (as cited in 2020).
- Endowment of $68,249,428 USD as of June 30, 2020.
- Admission rate of 0.73 (73%) in 2020.
- Classified as a "master's college or university" with larger programs by the Carnegie Classification.
- Member of the American Council on Education.
- Athletics program: Saint Leo Lions.

## FAQs
### Q: When was Saint Leo University founded?
A: Saint Leo University was established in 1889 in St. Leo, Florida.

### Q: What religious affiliation does the university have?
A: It is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, specifically the Benedictine tradition.

### Q: How many students attend the university?
A: As of cited data, the university serves approximately 14,500 students.

## Why It Matters
Saint Leo University plays a significant role in higher education as a longstanding Catholic institution in Florida. Founded in the 19th century, it has evolved to meet modern educational needs, offering both traditional campus programs and online learning opportunities. Its commitment to liberal arts and values-based education aligns with the Benedictine principles of community, hospitality, and service. The university’s growth to serve over 14,500 students reflects its adaptability and relevance in contemporary academia, particularly in providing accessible education to diverse populations, including working adults and military personnel.

## Notable For
- One of the oldest Roman Catholic universities in Florida, founded in 1889.
- Offers a blend of traditional campus and online programs, catering to non-traditional students.
- Classified by Carnegie as a "master's college or university" with a focus on larger programs and business-dominant professional studies.
- Home to the Saint Leo Lions athletics program, competing in NCAA Division II.
- Recognized for its semester-based academic calendar and selective admission process.

## Body
### History
Saint Leo University was established in 1889 in St. Leo, Florida, as a Roman Catholic liberal arts institution. Originally named Saint Leo College, it transitioned to university status in 1997. The university is rooted in the Benedictine tradition, emphasizing spiritual values and community service.

### Academics
- **Student Body**: Approximately 14,500 students (as of cited data).
- **Academic Calendar**: Semester-based system.
- **Carnegie Classifications**: 
  - Master's Colleges and Universities: Larger Programs.
  - Postbaccalaureate: Business-dominant, with other professional programs.
  - Four-year, large, primarily residential.
- **Admission Statistics (2020)**: 
  - Admission rate: 73%.
  - Yield rate: 18%.

### Finances
- **Endowment (2020)**: $68,249,428 USD.
- **Total Assets (2020)**: $243,651,425 USD.
- **Employees (2020)**: 1,499 staff members.

### Athletics
The university’s athletics teams, the Saint Leo Lions, compete in NCAA Division II as part of the Sunshine State Conference.

### Online Presence
- **Website**: [https://www.saintleo.edu/](https://www.saintleo.edu/) (English).
- **Social Media**: 
  - Twitter: @SaintLeoUniv (23,000+ followers as of 2025).
  - Instagram: @saintleouniv (19,570 followers as of 2025).
  - Facebook: @officialsaintleo (49,106 followers as of 2025).

### Affiliations
- Member of the American Council on Education.
- Roman Catholic affiliation through the Catholic Church.

### Campus
Headquartered in St. Leo, Florida, the university maintains a residential campus alongside its online education platforms.

## References

1. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System
2. Global LEI Index
3. GRID Release 2017-01-10
4. [Source](https://d-nb.info/gnd/1256953504/about/lds)
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20240120080233/https://acememberdirectory.azurewebsites.net/)
7. GRID Release 2015-12-14
8. GRID Release 2016-12-06
9. Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education
10. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
11. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph
12. National Center for Education Statistics