Recognition highlights academic excellence and a strong return on investment
The Princeton Review has once again named Bellarmine University among the nation’s top choices for undergraduate education, placing it on their Best 391 Colleges list for 2026. This recognition highlights Bellarmine’s distinctive blend of
academic excellence, personalized learning, and unrivaled career outcomes.
“Bellarmine is proud to be continually recognized among the country’s best colleges, an affirmation of our mission to educate students — mind, body, and spirit — for meaningful lives, rewarding careers, and ethical leadership,”
said Dr. Susan M. Donovan, president of Bellarmine University. “This recognition underscores the transformative experience we offer, rooted in the Catholic tradition of higher education and an unwavering commitment to student success.”
The Princeton Review profile praises Bellarmine’s strong academic programs, close faculty mentorship, and welcoming campus environment. Students surveyed for the ranking noted the university’s small classes and supportive professors, along
with strong access to internships, clinical experiences, and research opportunities in Louisville.
Bellarmine's inclusion in The Princeton Review’s list places it among the top 15% of America’s four-year colleges. The 2026 ranking also recognized Bellarmine as one of the top colleges in the South.
Bellarmine’s record of career preparation and success sets it apart:
- 99% of graduates are employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation — 14% higher than the national average
- Bellarmine graduates earn more on average than peers from any other Kentucky institution, with a lifetime return on investment of $1.93 million
- 88% of undergraduate students participate in at least 90 hours of experiential learning, including internships, teaching, clinicals, research, and other relevant work experiences
This year’s recognition also follows Bellarmine’s 2025 “Opportunity College and University – Higher Access, Higher Earnings” designation from the Carnegie Foundation and American Council on Education, placing it among just
16% of U.S. institutions excelling in expanding college access for underserved students and creating upward economic mobility through strong post-graduation earnings.
The Princeton Review’s Best Colleges list is based on surveys of more than 165,000 students at top colleges and universities nationwide, along with institutional data. The survey asks students to rate their schools in dozens of categories, from
academics and professors to campus culture, residence life, and extracurricular opportunities.