Saint Louis University

St. Louis, MO

Saint Louis University

St. Louis, MO

Performing Arts Profile


Higher purpose. Greater good.

At Saint Louis University, studying performing arts means more than just rehearsals; it means a community rooted in the Jesuit tradition of excellence and service. Whether your passion lies in the swell of an orchestra or the final bow of a play, the University invites you to develop your authentic voice in an environment that values the artist as much as the art.

Rigorous training for the modern performer
The academic experience at the College is designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Theatre majors immerse themselves in every aspect of production, from acting and directing to costume construction and stage management. For musicians, the University offers concentrations in performance or music studies, with specialized tracks for voice and piano. Because classes are small, you will receive individual attention from a faculty of professional musicians and theater artists who are active in the industry.

Life in the heart of the arts district
Student life at the University is defined by its unique location. Our campus sits right next to the Grand Center Arts District, a vibrant hub of creativity. You won't just be performing in campus spaces; the University regularly stages productions at professional venues like the Grandel Theatre. Outside of the major, any student can join ensembles like the University Singers or the Jazz Ensemble. This creates a campus culture where music and performance are woven into the daily life of every student, not just those behind the curtain.

ACCOLADES

US News

#53 Best Value School | U.S. News & World Report, 2026

Niche

#13 Best Catholic College in America | Niche.com

WSJ

#157 among the top 400 universities in the country | Wall Street Journal

US News

#102 out of nearly 1,500 national universities | U.S. News & World Report, 2026

Princeton Review

Top 15% of America’s four-year colleges | The Princeton Review’s Best 390 Colleges 2025

US News

#2 Health Care Law Program | U.S. News & World Report 2024 Best Law Schools

US News

#12 in Entrepreneurship and International Business | U.S. News & World Report 2024 Best Business Schools

US News

#24 in Health Care Management | U.S. News & World Report 2024 Best Health Schools

At A Glance

Location: St. Louis, Missouri

Size: 8,502 undergraduate students

Gender: 57% female, 43% male

Geographic diversity: 50 states and 96 countries represented

Student-faculty ratio: 8:1

Average class size: 26

Faculty excellence: 90% of full-time faculty hold terminal degrees. 

Student involvement: 200+ organizations to join

Athletics: SLU competes in 11 NCAA Division 1 sports and is a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference 

Greek life: 20+ fraternities and sororities

Jesuits: 40 Jesuits teach, study and minister at SLU.  

Undergraduate programs
SLU offers more than 90 challenging, relevant undergraduate degrees, along with minors, concentrations, certificates and accelerated programs. All programs are direct entry and will give students a truly personalized college experience.

An Inside Look