Monks of St. Procopius Abbey founded the college in 1887, and the abbey still stands beside the Lisle campus in Chicago's western suburbs. Benedictine is a Catholic university best known for science and health. A large share of undergraduates are on pre-med or pre-health tracks, and the graduate school adds public health, business and data science. The Metra train from Lisle reaches downtown Chicago in under an hour.
Lisle, Illinois, United States
Official website: ben.edu
1887, as St. Procopius College
Private Catholic university
Lisle, western Chicago suburbs
$22,000 – $38,000
International students, graduate to undergraduate tuition
$14,000 – $18,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on ben.edu before you apply.
BS Biology
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 79
BS Health Science
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 79
Master of Public Health
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
MBA
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
MS Data Science
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
A long record of sending graduates to medical and health professional schools.
A public health master's popular with working students.
A quiet suburban campus next to a Benedictine abbey.
Science graduates go on to medical, dental and pharmacy schools.
MBA and public health graduates work for hospitals and companies around Chicago.
Data science graduates can apply for the STEM OPT extension.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Lisle is a leafy suburb along the East-West Tollway, and the Morton Arboretum's trails are on the edge of town.
The Metra BNSF line runs to Union Station in downtown Chicago. Rents are lower than in the city, though a car helps for errands and part-time work.
Form I-20 issued by Benedictine University
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
Benedictine reviews applications on a rolling basis. International students should apply by around June for fall and October for spring, to allow time for the I-20.
Most programmes start in August, and many graduate programmes also start in January.
You'll need an F-1 visa. Once you accept your offer and send proof of funding, Benedictine University issues the Form I-20. After that it's the SEVIS fee, the DS-160 form and an interview at a US embassy or consulate.
Biology, health science, public health, the MBA and data science are popular. Undergraduates need secondary school results and TOEFL 79 or IELTS 6.0. Graduate programmes ask for a bachelor's degree and similar or slightly higher English scores.
Undergraduates are considered for merit scholarships when they apply, international students included. Graduate scholarships are fewer, so ask the programme directly.
