American Students

Our Lady Seat of Wisdom is becoming of increasing interest to our southern neighbours.  Over the last ten years, we’ve had students from 17 different US states, and currently 10% of our student body is American.

There are various reasons why American students decide to pursue studies at OLSWA.  For one, OLSWA offers a very affordable option for US Catholic families on a budget who want to send their children to faithful Catholic colleges but frankly cannot afford the tuition typical to private Catholic colleges.  This year, the tuition and room and board at OLSWA was only $10,000 CAD, in comparison to the $20,000 + USD, typical to many Catholic colleges.  While OLSWA is not yet accredited by the Ontario government, American students have attended OLSWA for up to three years, and then have done their 4th year at US colleges that have accepted OLSWA credits—such as Franciscan University of Steubenville, or Christendom College.  OLSWA students have always performed very well at these other colleges—a testament to the quality of OLSWA’s academic program.

Like all students who attend OLSWA, the Americans are also drawn by the small, family-like atmosphere at OLSWA, and the Catholicity manifested inside and outside the classroom.  It’s a close-knit community permeated by a Catholic culture, where students live in households rather than dorms, where they get to know the professors and their families personally, where meals are shared in common, and where they are part of a larger parish community (OLSWA’s campus is located beside the parish of St. Hedwig in Barry’s Bay).  The rural beauty of the Barry’s Bay area on the shores of Lake Kamaniskeg also make OLSWA a desirable location for pursuing studies in the beauty of “God’s Country”.

Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy’s recognition in the Newman Guide to Choosing a Catholic College, has also drawn the interest of many American students.

Click here to read what American Michael Hayden, a second-year student and Resident Assistant, has to say about his OLSWA experience.

Supporting OLSWA

Our American supporters are now able to make tax-deductible contributions through a new U.S. Non-profit corporation, Friends of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy. 

Now you can show your support for the work of OLSWA of providing affordable, academically excellent, and authentically Catholic liberal arts education.

Please make checks payable to “Friends of OLSWA”
and  mail to:
Friends of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy
P. O. Box 1036, State College, PA 16804-1036 USA. 
A receipt suitable for U.S. tax purposes will be issued.

Please address questions to Frederick Erb at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; or to Maria Reilander, OLSWA Senior Development Officer, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .