According to the newly released “How America Pays for College” study conducted by Sallie Mae for the 2010-11 academic year, many students want to save money on tuition costs. By completing two years at a community college first, families “reduce their contributions from income and savings and decrease the overall amount they paid for college”.

According to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, 39% of incoming college students (Fall 2010) enrolled in a community/technical college.

Many students transfer from the following institutions:

• Anoka-Ramsey Community College
• Anoka Technical College
• Century College
• Dakota County Technical College
• Hennepin Technical College
• Inver Hills Community College
• Minneapolis Community & Technical College
• Normandale Community College
• North Hennepin Community College
• Rochester Community & Technical College
• St. Paul College

Pathways students can transfer any associate degree into Saint Mary’s University. Many students complete associate degrees in: accounting, business, information technology, marketing, human services, human resource management, the liberal arts and/or the Minnesota transfer curriculum (MNTC).

The Pathways program assists all students who want to complete their degree in a timely fashion while at the same time gain professional work experience within their industry. Classes at Saint Mary’s University are scheduled during the evening on an accelerated model. Students can apply for admission at anytime during the year and begin coursework the following semester or even mid-semester.

“Any student who graduates from Saint Mary’s after transferring will enter the workforce ready to make an immediate impact.”
-Tony Hoff from Savage, who earned an associate’s degree in contemporary business from Inver Hills Community College and a bachelor’s degree in Sales & Marketing from Saint Mary’s University