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St. Louis Is a College City

Founded in 1818, Saint Louis University was the first university in St. Louis, Missouri. SLU and the city have been shaping each other ever since. Maybe you can’t call St. Louis a college town — with nearly 3 million residents in the metro area, it’s too big for that. But it might be something better: a college city. So, what does St. Louis offer SLU students?

Career Opportunities in St. Louis

St. Louis is a hotbed of innovation and entrepreneurship — with Popular Mechanics ranking St. Louis the No. 1 start-up city in America — and SLU is right in center of it. The 200-acre The Cortex Innovation Community, a center for business, innovation and technology, neighbors campus and the metro area is home to eight Fortune 500 companies. No wonder there’s a strong SLU alumni network of more than 55,000 in St. Louis.

Learn About SLU's Economic Impact 

Favorite St. Louis Attractions

Of course, there is the famous Gateway Arch. But if seeing the city from a height is your style, you can also try out the 200-foot high Wheel at Union Station any day of the year. In the nearby Forest Park — bigger than New York City’s Central Park — you will find the Saint Louis Art MuseumSaint Louis ZooMissouri History Museum and Saint Louis Science Center (all of which have free admission). For something a bit more funky, check out the 10­-story slide, indoor cave system and rooftop Ferris wheel at the City Museum, which is open until midnight on weekends. Looking for something even closer? SLU has three museums and a theater right on campus.

Cheer for the Hometown Teams

Known as one of America’s best sports cities, St. Louis is home to two professional teams: the Cardinals (baseball) and the Blues (hockey), whose fans fill the vibrant Downtown area on game days. A Major League Soccer expansion team is expected in 2022.  SLU also has 16 Division I NCAA sports teams, including men’s and women’s basketball and soccer. Students get into all SLU sporting events free with their student IDs.

Eat up the St. Louis Food Scene

If you don’t already have a firm position on the appeal of Provel cheese, toasted ravioli and the best barbecue in the United States, it’s time to develop one. St. Louis is regularly featured in foodie culture —  in fact, Travel + Leisure singled out St. Louis as "America's Next Great Food City." Get a taste for yourself .  The Food Hall at City Foundry, which offers tastes of more than a dozen cuisines, and local BBQ favorite Pappy’s Smokehouse, are both within walking distance of campus.

Chaifetz Arena, and Beyond 

One the city’s best entertainment venues just happens to be on campus. SLU’s Chaifetz Arena, in addition to being a premier athletic facility, also hosts some of the largest concerts and comedy acts to tour St. Louis. At SLU, you’re also just steps away from Grand Center,  home to the city's premier live theater and concert halls, as well as entertainment options including the Alamo Drafthouse, an authentic German beer hall and Puttshack mini-golf (opening summer 2022) at the City Foundry STL. For nightlife, head downtown or visit The Loop, which considered one of the “10 Great Streets in America.”

St. Louis Neighborhoods

Like other great American cities, St. Louis is a collection of unique neighborhoods, each with their own personality. Check out the sidewalk cafés and eclectic galleries in the nearby Central West End. Or pick up some fresh produce at the one of the nation’s oldest farmers markets in Soulard near Downtown.

St. Louis Public Transportation

Located in the middle of SLU’s campus is the Grand Center Metro Stop, which can take you to sports stadiums and shopping centers throughout the St. Louis area day or night. Bonus: freshmen and sophomores who live on campus get free Metro passes. So explore.