A Conversation with Christine Murphy, Vice President for Enrollment Management at St. Joseph’s University, New York

Quallege is excited to welcome St. Joseph’s University, New York to our growing network of partner institutions. In a conversation with Christine Murphy, Vice President for Enrollment Management, we discovered what makes this century-old institution a special place for international students seeking the energy of New York City with the warmth of a close-knit community.

A Century of Service and Accessibility

Founded over a hundred years ago by the Sisters of St. Joseph, St. Joseph’s University has built its mission around its five pillars—integrity, intellectual rigor, spiritual depth, social responsibility, and service.

These guiding principles have shaped not only our academic programs, but also our commitment to expanding opportunity and fostering inclusion. At the heart of this mission is a simple but powerful idea: excellent higher education should be accessible to all.

“We were founded in Brooklyn in 1916, with a class of 12 students. Today we have two campuses and nearly four thousand students,” Murphy explained. “Our Brooklyn campus enrolls about a thousand, our Long Island campus almost three thousand students.”

The university’s commitment to accessibility isn’t just philosophical—it’s practical. “We try to remain an accessible institution,” Murphy shared. “Accessibility is important to us, which is why our undergraduate tuition is just under $40,000 instead of $90,000 like many private institutions in the U.S.”

Community and Support: The St. Joseph’s Difference

What stood out most in our conversation was Murphy’s emphasis on creating a genuine sense of home for students navigating life in one of the world’s biggest cities.

“Success in academic coursework certainly plays a role in retention,” Murphy explained, “but often it’s also the other factors—the sense of home and the support students feel—that truly make the difference and contribute to our strong graduation rates.”

This focus on community translates into tangible support structures. Students aren’t just numbers in a lecture hall—they’re known, supported, and developed as individuals.

Murphy quoted a faculty member who captured this ethos perfectly: “Some universities only manage talent, but we also develop it.”  She emphasized: “Our faculty are teachers first. They meet students where they are and are able to help them grow.”

The Best of Both Worlds: New York Access, Campus Community

St. Joseph’s occupies a unique position: close enough to access everything New York City offers, yet distinct enough to maintain its own identity and community.

With campuses in Brooklyn and Long Island, students can choose their environment while staying connected to the broader New York ecosystem. The Brooklyn campus puts students in the heart of one of the world’s most dynamic boroughs, while the Long Island campus offers a more traditional college setting—both with full access to New York’s unparalleled opportunities.