[3] The college shares much of its campus with Historic St. Mary's City, the site of Maryland's first colony and capital.

[11][12] The campus and the rest of St. Mary's City combined are considered to be one of the premier archaeological sites in the United States.

Approximately 46% of St. Mary's College students study abroad, half of them for a full semester or more.

The Institute of International Education has recognized St. Mary's College as being 17th in the nation (public and private schools combined) for the percentage of its undergraduate students who study abroad for at least one semester.

The field school has worked on over 300 archaeological dig sites in the St. Mary's City area over the last 40 years.

The center administers the Saint Mary's River Project and the university's geothermal operations.

The Slackwater Center studies the current events, culture and history of St. Mary's County and other rural Chesapeake Bay and Southern Maryland communities.

[33][35] The center studies, records and documents as well as interprets and reports on current and historical life in Chesapeake Bay communities.

This includes both classroom and also hands-on opportunities in archaeological excavations, museums,[12] and historic interpretation work.

[12][42] It hosts collection-based courses, beginner to advanced level archaeological field training and also summer institutes.

[11] The students not only study, but also work in many of the active archaeological dig sites in St. Mary's City.

[12] Providing extensive hands-on experience, the school teaches all aspects of professional archaeological work, including working in real archaeological digs, analyzing and conserving artifacts,[12] as well as cataloging, archiving, and related historical research.

[11][12] St. Mary's Baltimore Hall Library subscribes to 1,000 periodicals in print and has access to around 20,000 in electronic format.

In addition to leadership and advocacy training, classes and field work also focus on the biological and resource management issues affecting the Bay.

[45] Workshops in writing, classes, lectures, mentoring by notable authors and faculty; creative nonfiction, fiction and poetry are offered.

[47] The program involved St. Mary's College of Maryland faculty and students in working with local young artists.

[47] St. Mary's College teams participate as a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division III.

Furthermore, there are Substance and Alcohol Free Environment (SAFE) suites and apartments on campus, as well as part of a residence hall.

Campus residence houses include: St. Mary's College of Maryland has an active Student Government Association (SGA).

Senators, elected by the student body, represent constituents divided by housing (or commuters).

[61] St. Mary's College is transitioning to 100% environmentally responsible Green Seal certified cleaning products.[61][when?]

Goodpaster Hall, an academic building devoted to chemistry, psychology, and educational studies that opened in January 2008, was built to a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating of Silver,[61] and is one of few "green" buildings in the state of Maryland.

[62] St. Mary's College's groundskeeping crews implement sustainable practices, including protecting the St. Mary's River by developing green buffer areas, creating green spaces and wildlife habitat, using integrated pest management and minimizing synthetic fertilizers.

[61] St. Mary's College received the 2008 EPA Green Power Leadership Club award for their efforts.