The college was founded by the Sisters of Charity, the order started by Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774–1821), who, after her death, was canonized as the United States' first native-born saint.

The 200-acre (0.81 km2) wooded campus is home to the classical Greek amphitheater built into a hillside and the original dairy farm for the complex.

Saint Elizabeth University teams participate as a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division III.

Women's sports include basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball.

Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, soccer, tennis and volleyball.