St. John’s College in Santa Fe, New Mexico combines a rigorous liberal arts education with the appreciation of the great outdoors. Nestled in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo mountains, students enjoy hiking, camping in the nearby Santa Fe National Forest, and trying new foods just a short trip downtown.

Here are a few reasons why St. John’s College Santa Fe is one of the best liberal arts colleges.

1. It’s the most affordable liberal arts college in New Mexico.
   Thanks to generous donors, St. John’s College recently lowered its tuition, which is now $36,040 a year for undergraduates. Plus, students who are New Mexico residents will receive an automatic $11,040 New Mexico Grant, which lowers tuition to $25,000 for undergraduate students on the Santa Fe campus in 2022–23, making it the most affordable liberal arts college in New Mexico. For those looking for graduate programs, the Graduate Institute in Santa Fe offers two master’s degrees.
2. It redefines merit scholarships.
   Instead of basing scholarship decisions on test scores and grades, St. John’s looks for students who exhibit the best qualities of a Johnnie: a deeply curious reader and thinker, thoughtful and insightful, and craving a desire to seek meaning in their lives. Those who do receive a merit scholarship can earn up to a full-tuition fellowship.
3. It’s nationally recognized by top college rating sites.
   Notable college resource sites have recognized St. John’s College Santa Fe as a top liberal arts college in New Mexico. According to Niche.com, St. John’s College Santa Fe is listed as a 2019 Best Liberal Arts College in New Mexico. It also appears on U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges in New Mexico, and ranks No. 72 nationally out of liberal arts colleges.
4. It’s a true liberal arts college.
   At the heart of St. John’s College’s curriculum is a one-of-a-kind program that immerses students in Great Books and unmediated discussion. All classes are conducted seminar-style with 20 students or fewer, studying works that cover all areas of thought and subjects—from language, mathematics, science, economics, music, and more.
5. It’s one of the Colleges That Change Lives.
   Loren Pope, author of “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change The Way You Think About Colleges,” named St. John’s as one of those colleges. Characteristics considered are small classes, dedicated faculty, holistic admissions and a learning environment that fosters personal and intellectual growth in unexpected ways.