#6
to live
About the Twin Cities
Twin Cities of Minnesota - Metropolitan Meets Nature
The Twin Cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis offer double the fun, with two vibrant downtowns and the best parks of any cities in America.
At St. Thomas, students have the opportunity to attend classes on our two main campuses, located in the heart of the Twin Cities (with a third campus in Rome). Each campus has a different vibe, but overall we have the classic on-campus college experience, nestled in a small residential neighborhood.
Living and studying in an urban environment such as St. Paul and downtown Minneapolis allows you the opportunity to build professional connections and gain potential job opportunities at large corporations and local businesses. You can also indulge in the Twin Cities' huge art, food, sports and entertainment scenes.
If you're looking for an urban experience with entertainment, dining, shopping and arts venues, we've got it. If you love nature and the outdoors, we've got that, too. Our St. Paul campus borders the Mississippi River and miles of trails connect it to Minneapolis' famous chain of lakes.
90%
of the top public companies in MN actively recruit Tommies
#2 & 3
Best parks in America for and
What Makes Our Location Great
Central Location
The Minneapolis-St. Paul international airport is and a mere 15 minute drive from our Twin Cities campuses.
The metro area has a network of light rail and bus lines that connect the airport, bus stations, downtowns, and neighborhoods, along with commuter bike paths. In addition, St. Thomas has a free campus shuttle (exclusively for students and employees) that runs daily between our St. Paul and Minneapolis campuses.
Proximity to Employers
We might be called the Land of 10,000 Lakes, but we should be called the Land of 25,000 Businesses! Among these are 17 Fortune 500 companies headquartered right here in the Twin Cities, which means you will have access to ample internship and job opportunities. In fact, 81% of Tommies complete at least one internship while enrolled as an undergrad.
Are you interested in research? Many of our students participate in research projects as early as their first undergraduate year.
The Great Outdoors
Four seasons make for fun all year round. In spring and summer, everyone hits the trails, lakes, and rivers. Just steps from our St. Paul campus, you can get started along the Whether you want to bike, scooter, run or walk we've got miles and miles of . Maybe you prefer to swim, canoe, kayak, be part of a racing crew, or enjoy casual boating? We've got more than 10,000 lakes to choose from.
Fall is the perfect time for on-campus student traditions such as Homecoming and Parent's Weekend, all while enjoying the beautiful foliage. And who doesn't love the beauty of a snowy landscape? From ice castles to sports such as skiing ( or ), snowboarding, tubing, skating, snowshoeing and curling, there is something for everyone.
Arts & Culture
The Twin Cities have more theater seats per capita than any city outside of New York City.
We're home to the , the , , and .
Our music scene is a bedrock for talent. Whether you are looking for a big name artist or for an authentic Irish band, you'll be able to see the shows you want right here.
Professional Sports
Sports are big in Minnesota, with pro teams including the , , and .
U.S. Bank Stadium, site of the 2018 Super Bowl, fields , and the play at Allianz Field, a 15 minute bus ride from our St. Paul campus.
All pro sports venues are accessible by bus and by bike.
Shopping, Food & Entertainment
The Twin Cities originated the and is a cultural melting pot of food and culture, boasting Irish, German, Italian, Asian, Mexican, Middle-Eastern, Somali, and Scandinavian influences.
Boutiques and vintage stores line and surrounding St. Paul neighborhoods. You can also catch a bus or light rail to the for a full complement of shopping, food, games and rides.
Enjoying All Seasons
Fall
With the beautiful backdrop of colorful leaves and fresh, crisp air, the Twin Cities becomes the perfect place to enjoy the season. From kayaking to Boom Island Park to shopping at the cities largest farmer's market to finding all the most instragammable spots around downtown like the Stone Arch Bridge, there's a lot to love.
Enjoying All Seasons
Fall
Getting around campus is easily done on foot (or skateboard), and many students choose to bike or scooter to nearby destinations.
Enjoying All Seasons
Winter
When the temperatures drop in the Twin Cities, the excitement heats up with plenty of awesome things to do both inside and out! From the award-winning with more than 4,500 animals, to the to the , you will find there is more to the Twin Cities than just cold.
Enjoying All Seasons
Winter
Winter can be a peaceful time, especially when snow blankets the trees, lending a glow to the evening.
Enjoying All Seasons
Spring
Spring is all hello sunshine and Vitamin D. You can take in spring baseball, stroll through the , catch a snooze in the park by or just hang out with friends at one of our many outdoor patio restaurants and coffee bars.
Enjoying All Seasons
Summer
Summer will definitely give you the blues - blue skies and blue water everywhere, we mean. There's plenty of fun activities, from wandering through the sculpture garden to every kind of water sport to having fun with friends at one of our many summer festivals.
Professional Opportunities
The Twin Cities have the most Fortune 500 companies per capita of any U.S. metro area and St. Thomas alumni work at all of them:
- 3M
- Ameriprise Financial
- Best Buy
- C.H. Robinson Worldwide
- Ecolab
- General Mills
- Hormel Foods
- Land O'Lakes
- Polaris Industries
- Securian Financial Group
- Supervalu
- Target
- Thrivent Financial
- UnitedHealth Group
- U.S. Bancorp
- Xcel Energy
Diversity in the Twin Cities
As the 16th most populous urban area in the United States, St. Paul and Minneapolis are a melting pot of cultures, languages, and backgrounds. From the Somali community in Cedar-Riverside to the Hmong population in Frogtown, the Twin Cities celebrate the beauty of multiculturalism, making it a dynamic and inclusive place to live.
About Our Twin Cities Campuses
At St. Thomas, students have the opportunity to live and learn on three campuses: St. Paul, Minneapolis and Rome (Bernardi).
Learn more about our two main campuses in the heart of the Twin Cities.
St. Paul Campus
Our St. Paul campus is the main campus and the biggest of the three. It is the main hub for student housing, with residence halls located on the north and south side. Student activities and classes are also held here, along with our new STEAM building.
Minneapolis Campus
Our Minneapolis campus is in the epicenter of downtown Minneapolis and is home to our , , , and the .