Enrollment: 2344
Average SAT: 538
Average ACT: 24.14
Most Popular Majors: Business/Commerce, General,Nursing/Registered Nurse (RN, ASN, BSN, MSN),Psychology, General,
Regular Application Deadline: 08/15
Student Faculty Ratio: 12:1

Undergraduate Receiving Need-Based Financial Aid: 38
Average Freshman Total Need-Based Gift Aid: $19,981.00

Scotch and Soda, Hold the Scotch

Students Say - Academics
A "small, private, Catholic university," in the heart of vibrant Louisville, Kentucky, Bellarmine University has a curriculum that casts an eye toward the future and provides a "well-rounded education" that is not only "demanding in academic excellence" but also "prepares students for the real world, both mentally and socially." Bellarmine's unique combination of "service, academics, and learning" ensures that "each student is fully prepared to excel in their job opportunities, as well as in life." A "premier college" with an academic lens that merges rigorous education and spiritual awareness toward practical ends, students note the curriculum's "real-world" focus on "teaching students to become professional adults." Professors are "friendly and approachable," with "a genuine love of their craft" and an investment in "ensuring an enriching experience for students beyond the classroom." Bellarmine is "a small school with big-school quality and ambitions," and students benefit from "small classes" and "personalized attention" and are often drawn to Bellarmine for its "great reputation" and "generous scholarships." With an academic mission that focuses on "exploration, discovery, and growth in yourself and your understanding of the world," Bellarmine encourages its students to continue their educations outside the university setting. Its "study-abroad programs are fantastic." The university also has "a great physical therapy and nursing program," according to students.

Students Say - Campus Life
A "tight-knit community" with "a beautiful campus," Bellarmine balances big city sophistication with an active, conscientious student body. As one student aptly summarizes, "Bellarmine is all about creating the small school atmosphere on an academically strong campus in the heart of a big city." Students are quick to note the campus's proximity to Louisville's Bardstown Road where there is a plethora of "restaurants, stores, and coffee shops" "within walking distance from campus." On the weekends, students "frequent [Louisville's] opera and theater productions and visit museums." On campus, "life at Bellarmine is very upbeat." The university sponsors "a large variety of sports and extracurricular events." "Students are extremely interested in getting involved," and "intramurals are very popular." For many, due to its small size, Bellarmine embodies "a home away from home." Though students note that Bellarmine has a somewhat "homogeneous population," "the part of the city of Louisville where Bellarmine is located is a very liberal/art oriented. Bellarmine champions a commitment to "community; how you are involved in it, how you can change it for the better, and what it can do for you."

Students Say - Student Body
Like the academic curriculum itself, Bellarmine students are "willing to broaden the mind and be introduced to new experiences." The typical Bellarmine student is "friendly, helpful, and intellectual." With an eye toward advancement and applying education in a real-world setting, students describe themselves as "hardworking" and "dedicated to making good grades, graduating, and starting a career." However, Bellarmine's students acknowledge that it's not all nose in the book at Bellarmine. In the words of one student, "Bellarmine students like to relax AND achieve." Students are "extremely motivated," "take pride in their work," and still "can enjoy good times outside of school." A typical Bellarmine student might be found "sitting on the grass in the quad, playing Frisbee, in the library, or in their studio working on their next big project." By and large, students describe the population at Bellarmine as "upper-middle-class Caucasian" with "lots of athletes." Due to the school's religious foundation, many students come from "private Catholic schools" in the Louisville vicinity. Though students remark that there are "not a lot of atypical students," those who march to the beat of a different drummer "do find a place to fit in." "Open-minded and personable," "most students who attend Bellarmine are there for a reason-to succeed."

University of Louisville
University of Kentucky

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