[10] After over a century as an all-male institution, St. Mary's opened its doors to female students in 1963 and became a coeducational university.

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required, St. Mary's University being a test optional school.

In an attempt to maximize educational and material resources of the fledgling institution, the Board of Governors negotiated with St. Mary's University regarding a transfer of the School of Law's administrative control.

[citation needed] The School of Law was then housed at St. Mary's University's then downtown campus at 112 College Street, situated near the San Antonio River Walk.

Possessing several military bases, San Antonio experienced a surge of population and industry in the years immediately following World War II.

[18] St. Mary's University is a member of NCAA Division II and the Lone Star Conference and sponsors 12 men's and women's sports at the varsity level.

[22] These halls are divided among upper and lower classmen with some being mixed, but no strict enforcement is placed upon the assignment of rooms.

On campus, the university hosts Oyster Bake,[23] a combination of concerts, food stalls, and carnival rides.

[25] Every Friday Greek Life hosts "Quad" where every active social fraternity and sorority hangout in the morning behind St. Louis Hall.