About Bellarmine
Engagement, Belonging, Wellness, and Purpose
At Bellarmine University, education is personal, purposeful, and proven to deliver. Grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition, we prepare students – mind, body, and spirit – for meaningful lives and rewarding careers, along with service and leadership to improve the human condition.
Knights Get Hired
At Bellarmine, we prepare students for unrivaled outcomes.
- 99% of alumni are working or pursuing an advanced degree within six months of graduation, an outcome that’s 15% higher than the national average
- 97% of these newly employed graduates are already working in their field of interest
- Students gain real-world experience through internships, clinicals, research, and more, with 88% of undergraduates completing 90+ hours of experiential learning
This is what happens when academic excellence meets intentional career preparation. From day one, students are supported by a network of advisors, faculty mentors, and career coaches who help them connect their education to their future.
Opportunity College
Bellarmine University is recognized nationally as an Opportunity College – Higher Access, Higher Earnings, placing it among a select group of just 16% of institutions that excel in delivering both high access and strong outcomes.
- Expanding access for students of all backgrounds
- Delivering outcomes that create upward economic mobility
- Creating pathways to meaningful careers and lifelong success
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Bellarmine IMPACT
Engagement • Belonging • Wellness • Purpose
Every student’s journey is different. Our distinctive Bellarmine IMPACT model ensures each one is intentional.
- Building personalized academic and career pathways
- Engaging in hands-on learning experiences — internships, clinicals, research and service
- Guided by a coordinated network of advisors and mentors
- Developing a strong sense of purpose, belonging, and well-being
A Catholic university for the common good
Bellarmine is an inclusive Catholic university shaped by the spirit of Thomas Merton and a commitment to the dignity of every person. Our approach to education is rooted in the liberal arts and sciences — broad, rigorous, and designed to prepare students for a rapidly changing world. Students graduate as:
- Critical thinkers
- Ethical decision-makers
- Leaders grounded in purpose
This foundation supports both professional success and meaningful lives of service.
Academic excellence aligned with the real world
Bellarmine offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs designed to meet evolving workforce needs, especially in high-demand fields such as healthcare, business, education, communication, and technology.
- Degrees aligned with regional employer demand
- Classes led by talented faculty, not Teaching Assistants
- A growing portfolio of online and hybrid programs that maintain Bellarmine’s personal approach
- Strong partnerships with employers across Louisville and beyond
Students don’t just graduate prepared — they graduate connected.
Access, affordability, and upward mobility
Bellarmine has made an intentional, mission-driven commitment to affordability and access, delivering an education that’s more affordable than you might expect.
- Financial aid supporting Pell-eligible and first-generation students
- Programs designed to reduce barriers and expand opportunity
- A focus on long-term return on investment for graduates
The result is an education that is both accessible today and valuable for a lifetime, with a return on investment of $1.93 million for a Bellarmine degree.
The Louisville Advantage
Located in the safe and eclectic Highlands neighborhood in Louisville, Kentucky, Bellarmine is deeply connected to its city and region, although its influence extends far beyond.
- Graduates live and work across the country and internationally
- Many choose to stay in the Louisville region, strengthening the local workforce and community
- Partnerships with regional employers create direct pathways from classroom to career
Bellarmine serves as a private university for the common good, contributing $178 million in annual economic impact to the city and region it’s proud to call home.
Go, Knights!
Bellarmine competes in 23 NCAA Division I varsity sports, along with offering a variety of intramural sports.
- Nearly a quarter of first-time, full-time students are student-athletes
- For five years running, 100% of our student-athletes achieve career success or pursue an advanced degree within six months of graduating
- Student-athletes consistently outperform the student body at large in average GPA
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A legacy of transformation
Since opening in 1950, Bellarmine University has evolved to meet the needs of its students and society while remaining grounded in its mission. From its beginnings as a small college to its emergence as a nationally recognized university, Bellarmine has consistently focused on:
- Academic excellence
- Student success
- Service to others
Bellarmine continues to build on its legacy in a manner 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 Truth.