About Bellarmine

aboreto

The Premier Independent Catholic University in the South

Bellarmine University is a vibrant community of educational excellence and ethical awareness that consistently ranks among the nation's best colleges and universities. 

Our students pursue an education based in the liberal arts – and in the distinguished, inclusive Catholic tradition of educational excellence, the oldest and most rewarding in the Western world. It is a lifelong education worthy of the university's namesake, Saint Robert Bellarmine, and of his invitation to each of us to learn and live in veritatis amore – in the love of all that is beautiful, true and good in life.

Bellarmine students by Trolley

The Bellarmine Impact

Bellarmine is growing rapidly, not only with great new campus amenities and academic programs, but also in regional and national prominence. BU is named after Roberto Bellarmino (1542-1621), the brilliant Jesuit, who was a Cardinal and canonized in 1930.

We offer a student-centered network that inspires meaningful, personal, academic, and transformative growth in a way that prepares students for a well-rounded life and career through personalized pathways to success. Students can tailor their experience with access to hands-on experiences, internships, clinicals, fieldwork, study abroad and volunteer opportunities. Micro-credentials, badges, and certificates allow students to customize their education to acquire specific expertise, skills and competencies. Learn more about the Bellarmine Impact.

We're civic-minded, inclusive, outcome-oriented and bursting with meaningful connections in our tight-knit community. On top of all that, we have a beautiful campus rife with stunning architecture, trees and rolling hills that overlook Joe Creason Park.

We Say "BELL-er-mun"

As we grow, more and more people are adding “Bellarmine” to their lists of top schools. Around here, we say "BELL-er-mun" in "LOU-a-vuhl." This is one of the friendliest campuses and places in the world, so we'll still love you no matter how you pronounce these names. 

The Louisville Advantage

On the edge of downtown Louisville, Bellarmine is set on three beautiful hills in the artful and eclectic Highlands neighborhood. We are within walking distance of the Bardstown Road corridor, where coffee houses, restaurants and one-of-a-kind shops add to the overall Bellarmine experience. Downtown Louisville is just minutes away and offers world-class theatre, arts, sports, museums and gorgeous riverfront parks. Louisville is situated on the mile-wide Ohio River, at the gateway to the South and the crossroads of the Midwest. Two hundred million people – two-thirds of the nation's population – live within a 500-mile radius of the city. 

Teaching You'll Never Forget

Bellarmine faculty scholars are passionate about teaching. Approximately 85% of faculty members hold a Ph.D. or the highest degree in their field. Meet our faculty.

Student Excellence

A diverse student body from across the nation and world attends Bellarmine. Our total enrollment is approximately 3,000. Learn more about our students on our Fast Facts page.

A Human Scale Learning Environment

Our student-faculty ratio is 13 to 1. Our average class size at Bellarmine is 20. There are 29 students or fewer in 84 percent of our classes. Teaching and learning like this just doesn’t take place at the universities, and it shows in our high four-year graduation rates and the successful careers of more than 27,000 graduates working throughout the world. Learn more about outcomes after graduation.

Price, cost and value

Don’t panic about the price of an education! The actual cost is lower than you might expect and it's an enormous value as an investment in your future. We provide more than $20 million in scholarships and financial aid to entering students each year. Award amounts are determined on an individual basis and celebrate the strength and achievement of each admitted student. A person, not a computer, processes your application.

As with everything at Bellarmine, your financial situation gets individual attention and consideration. Learn about the different scholarships and financial aid solutions that can make it possible to attend Bellarmine at a low cost - or no cost at all!

It is Bellarmine University’s goal and commitment to ensure that every student receives our best comprehensive offer of financial assistance and that your affordable investment in a Bellarmine education becomes a reality. 

Use our Net Price Calculator and Scholarship Estimator to find out how affordable Bellarmine can be for you!

students sit in a paris pavillion with a ferris wheel in the distance

The World is Also Our Campus

Bellarmine offers semester, yearlong and summer study-abroad programs in 60 countries on six continents. There are more than 150 programs of study. Approximately one-quarter of our students engage in an international experience abroad.

What's Your Major?

We offer undergraduate majors in the arts and sciences, business, education, communication, environmental studies, nursing and health sciences. We encourage double majors. Give your career a boost with our renowned graduate degrees. 

The Bellarmine Knights

Bellarmine student-athletes play 23 varsity sports in NCAA Division I, along with a variety of intramural sports. In fact, nearly a quarter of first-time, full-time students are student-athletes. 

Experience Bellarmine

Come and see for yourself! We offer campus tours daily. Schedule your visit today online or contact the Office of Admission, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (ET) by calling toll free 800.274.4723 or 502.272.7100. We hope to see you soon!