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Louisville , KY
Bellarmine University is a private Catholic liberal arts university located in Louisville, Kentucky. Established in 1950, it is named after Saint Robert Bellarmine, a noted Jesuit and Cardinal of the Catholic Church. The university is known for its excellent academic programs, vibrant campus life, and commitment to student success.
At Bellarmine, students have access to a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines. The university offers over 60 majors and minors, including programs in business, education, nursing, arts and sciences, health sciences, and communication. Bellarmine's faculty members are dedicated professionals who provide individualized attention and mentorship to students, ensuring a high-quality education experience.
The campus of Bellarmine University is nestled in a scenic area and offers numerous amenities and facilities for students. From state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories to modern residence halls and recreational centers, the university provides a conducive environment for learning and personal growth. Moreover, Bellarmine offers a vibrant campus life with over 70 student organizations and clubs, allowing students to engage in extracurricular activities and develop leadership skills.
Overall, Bellarmine University is a place where students can receive a well-rounded education, grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition. With a strong commitment to community engagement and social justice, the university fosters an environment of inclusivity and ethical responsibility. Whether students are seeking academic rigor, personal growth, or opportunities for service, Bellarmine provides a nurturing and supportive environment to help them achieve their goals.
Bellarmine University is a private university located in Louisville, KY and set in a suburban environment. This educational institution operates on a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 86%. The freshman retention rate at Bellarmine University is 75.1% and the six-year graduation rate is 64%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is August 15. Find out more about what you can expect if you get into Bellarmine University.
Quick Facts
2,240
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$48,900
Tuition
12:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
64%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission, you can make a better judgment about your eligibility and boost your chances of getting accepted. Read on to learn some vital facts about admission at Bellarmine University.
According to the newest data, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 4,115 in 2025. Bellarmine University has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores in cases when they are submitted by the applicant. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
8% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 45% submitted ACT scores, out of the total number of those who submitted test scores. 30.23% of the first-year students submitted SAT composite scores between between 1,200 and 1,399, 48.84% between 1,000 and 1,199, 18.6% of the students between 800 and 999, and 2.33% between 600 and 799. The percent of freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 8.23, 37.86 between 24-29, 39.1 in the range between 18-23, 14.4 between 12-17, and 0.41 between 6-11.
The average ACT score for all the accepted students in 2025 was 26 while the average GPA was 3.49. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Bellarmine University; the same goes for your ACT score.
The SAT Critical Reading average score was 608 for the admitted students, while the average SAT Math score was 603.
Deadlines
The application deadline for this school is August 15.
Retention Rate
The student retention rate is the percentage of students who re-enroll from one year to the next. Why is that metric important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for Bellarmine University was 75.1% in 2025, reflecting the superb quality of the educational programs at this institution.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this institution stands at 64%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Making the decision of which school is the right fit for you is not easy. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by finding out more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at Bellarmine University in 2025 was 2,885.
That year, the school had 29.5% of students coming from another state. There was a total of 2,240 those pursuing undergraduate studies, including 48 international students. The school reported to have a total of 68 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 944 male and 1,437 female full-time students in 2025. 201 full-time graduate men and 378 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
The importance of student diversity cannnot be denied, when it comes to the overall feeling of inclusion and beloning among the students of any school. An inclusive student body brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Bellarmine University.
This school had 67 Asian students and 229 Afro-American students in 2025. 217 undergrads at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 108 identified with more than one race. The school also had 3 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 6 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 28 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to consider before applying to any college or university. Here are some data on the expenses that most students at this school have.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about Bellarmine University estimated tuition costs.
In 2025, tuition amounted to $48,900 for all full-time domestic students. Since Bellarmine University is a private institution, tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Full-time students in 2025 were obliged to pay additional fees in the amount of $1,590.
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to take into account the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $500.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. What do colleges and universities typically charge for accommodation and meals?
At Bellarmine University, the 2025 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $11,310. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school cost $5,670, according to the data from 2025. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $6,872.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 48,900 |
| Room and Board | $ 11,310 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 500 |
| Total Expense | $ 60,710 |
Financial Aid
Financial support for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. If you are interested in finding out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Bellarmine University, here are some recent data you should consider.
The most recent records show that 427 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average financial aid package awarded to students came to $43,162.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
There were 1,511 students who got need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Bellarmine University is available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was 1,536. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution summed up to $5,394,257, and state $7,908,517. The students of Bellarmine University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $42,237,959, and external in the amount of $83,907.
$29,174
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
521 students, including freshmen, received institutional non-need-based financial aid at this institution in 2025. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 127 full-time freshmen. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $5,394,257 while the state aid is $51,609. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $17,856,133. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $497,512 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Open Applications
Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.
Majors
Faculty
12:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Bellarmine University was 12:1: that means 12 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. According to the most recent information, there are 356 faculty members at this school. Out of that number, there were 144 male and 212 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at Bellarmine University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at Bellarmine University: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Find out some details about social life at Bellarmine University.
Its campus spans 135 acres.
Student Organizations
Exploring a variety of student organizations can contribute to a more vibrant and rewarding educational experience.
The number of student organizations and groups with open membership at this school is 80. This number includes sororities and fraternities. 1 percent of male and 4 of female students are participants in different organizations at Bellarmine University. The student organization that attracts the greatest number of students is Black Student Union, followed by BU Leads and Knights Nation. Other popular organizations among the students at Bellarmine University are Student Government Association and Bellarmine Activities Council.
If you have an interest in acting, there's a drama club you can be a part of. For students looking to explore media and communication, Bellarmine University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At Bellarmine University, there are many amenities required for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
There are phone and alarm devices that can be accessed 24/7 for emergency situations. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a security patrol available 24/7. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of Bellarmine University.
All in all, campus life at Bellarmine University is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Bellarmine University.
Career Counselling
At Bellarmine University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a job bank and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career.
Job Placement
Finding out some information about the expected post-graduation salary can help you decide if a particular school suits your career objectives.
The average base annual starting salary of the students who were employed within six months of graduation at this school is 53,000 USD.
$53,000
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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Bellarmine University is located in Louisville, KY.
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Bellarmine University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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According to the latest information, you would need to pay about 48,900 USD per academic year for Bellarmine University.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Bellarmine University is 86%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Bellarmine University is 75.1%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
