Submitted by Saint Martin’s University
Saint Martin’s University has been named a 2026-27 College of Distinction by Colleges of Distinction, recognizing the University’s commitment to an engaged, student-centered undergraduate experience and its focus on preparing students for meaningful lives and careers.
The 2026-27 recognition comes as students and families increasingly look beyond traditional measures of college rankings to understand the value of a degree and the experience a university provides. Colleges of Distinction evaluates institutions through research and in-depth conversations with campus leaders, with particular attention to its Four Distinctions: Engaged Students, Great Teaching, Vibrant Community and Successful Outcomes.
“Saint Martin’s has always believed that an excellent education is about more than earning a degree,” said Bill Brownsberger, S.T.D., president of Saint Martin’s University. “It is about forming the whole person, cultivating curiosity and compassion, and giving students opportunities to put their learning into practice. This recognition affirms the extraordinary work of our faculty, staff, and students in creating a community where faith, reason, and service come together to prepare students to make a positive difference in the world.”
Unlike conventional college rankings that emphasize numerical measures such as selectivity or institutional resources, Colleges of Distinction focuses on how colleges put high-impact educational practices into action. Saint Martin’s provides students with opportunities to engage deeply in their education through experiential learning, internships, research, collaborative coursework, service and capstone experiences, while building meaningful relationships with faculty, mentors and peers.
The University’s additional programmatic and institution-wide distinctions recognize specific areas of strength:
- Catholic — recognizing the integration of Saint Martin’s Catholic Benedictine identity into the educational experience.
- Washington — recognizing the University’s role among institutions in the state that provide a high-quality, student-focused education.
- Business — recognizing hands-on learning and preparation that equips students to become responsible leaders in business and related fields.
- Education — recognizing practical experiences, advising, mentoring and high-impact learning that prepares first-class educators.
- Engineering — recognizing an experience-based approach to engineering education that connects classroom learning with real-world applications.
- Nursing — recognizing hands-on learning and preparation designed to develop knowledgeable, compassionate and skilled nursing professionals.
- Career Development — recognizing Saint Martin’s intentional integration of career exploration and preparation throughout the student experience.
- Military Support — recognizing programs and resources that support military-connected students as they pursue their educational and professional goals.
- Transfer — recognizing the University’s commitment to making the transfer process transparent, supportive and academically sound.
The new Best Colleges for Transfer Students distinction is particularly meaningful as students make harder decisions about where to begin and continue their college education. Colleges of Distinction evaluates institutions for the Transfer recognition based on factors including the transparency of transfer-credit policies, admissions practices, academic advising and outcomes for transfer students.
“Students today are thinking carefully about the return they will receive from their investment in higher education,” said Patty Lemon, dean of admissions. “These distinctions recognize a core value of Saint Martin’s: that when students receive personal attention, meaningful opportunities to apply what they learn, and support in planning for life after graduation, they are better positioned for success. We are proud that Colleges of Distinction has recognized the work our community is doing on behalf of our students.”
Saint Martin’s Colleges of Distinction recognition reflects a range of practices designed to help students thrive academically, professionally and personally. Students of all backgrounds encounter these opportunities throughout their Saint Martin’s experience, from foundational first-year coursework and living-learning communities to internships, undergraduate research and culminating capstone projects. The University’s Benedictine tradition further shapes that experience by emphasizing community, hospitality, stewardship and service. Together, these elements create an educational environment designed to help students both succeed after graduation and understand how their education can contribute to the common good.
For more information about the University’s College of Distinction awards and its commitment to excellence in higher education, please visit the University’s At-a-glance page or contact the Office of Marketing and Communications.
