List of Best Jesuit Colleges in the US
Do you want to go to a Jesuit college? You’ve definitely come across a few when searching for colleges and didn’t even realize it. Private colleges linked with the Jesuit order are known as Jesuit colleges (a form of Catholicism). You do not, however, need to be a Jesuit or a Catholic to attend one of these schools—or to get the most out of your time there.
If you’re thinking about attending a Jesuit college, you’re certainly curious about the academic quality of these institutions. This post introduces our top nine Jesuit colleges in the United States. Then we’ll give you some advice on whether you should go to one or not.
But, before we get into our list of Jesuit colleges, let’s define what a Jesuit college is.
What Is a Jesuit College
Jesuit colleges and universities are private colleges and universities having a Jesuit affiliation and a significant Jesuit influence. The Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities is the umbrella organization for all Jesuit schools.
So, what exactly is a Jesuit? A Jesuit is a Roman Catholic priest who belongs to the Society of Jesus, which was founded in Spain in the 16th century. To put it another way, all Catholic institutions are Jesuit, but not all Jesuit colleges are Catholic.
Jesuit institutions are noted for admitting students of all religions and for attempting to develop in them ideals of significance and empathy. These institutions, on the other hand, often provide a particularly rich set of resources and activities for Catholic kids. Religious retreats, mission trips, and community service initiatives are examples of such activities.
Jesuit colleges place a strong emphasis on core Jesuit values like integrity, leadership, and community service. Core courses across a variety of fields are typically required of students in order to give them a well-rounded intellectual foundation. Many Jesuit colleges also urge students to give their time outside of the classroom.
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List of Best Jesuit Colleges in the US
Georgetown University is a popular tertiary institution in Washington
Because of its history and present activities, Georgetown University stands at the top of the list. The school is the oldest Catholic institution of higher study in the United States, having been founded in 1789 as Georgetown College.
The school, which overlooks the Potomac River, is closely linked to the nation’s capital, offering theological and academic support to the country’s leaders.
Nothing better exemplifies the link between Georgetown and American politics than the school’s most famous alumni.
Former presidents Bill Clinton and Lyndon B. Johnson were among the students in the past (although the latter did not graduate from Georgetown). Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia and Edward Douglass both attended Georgetown and graduated with honors.
The Mask and Bauble Dramatic Society, the longest continuously-running collegiate theater troupe in the United States, is a lesser-known but no less important achievement at Georgetown. The club, which is now in its 170th season, encourages students to hone their artistic and technical abilities.
Boston College is a famed university based in Boston, Massachusetts
The term “college” usually refers to a focus on undergraduate education, whereas “university” refers to a commitment to research and graduate studies. Boston College, on the other hand, is an exception to the rule.
Despite its world-class research and outstanding graduate programs, BC refers to itself as a college because it believes the term better conveys the small-town atmosphere it strives to achieve.
The different periodicals and media channels on campus reflect this sense of community. Boston College has a student-run radio station WZBC and a cable television station BCTV, in addition to its progressive journal The Gavel and its Catholic weekly The Torch.
Because it is a religious community, various chapels, notably the Church of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, can be located on campus and in the surrounding area. Many students serve as administrators and teachers in the church of St. Ignatius, which is at the heart of BC’s religious life.
Santa Clara University is based in Santa Clara, California
Santa Clara University was founded in 1851 and is the state’s oldest still-operating university. However, the institution can trace its history even further back thanks to the historic Mission Santa Clara de Asis, which is located on the Santa Clara campus and was founded in 1776.
The importance of history and service to the institution is demonstrated by the mission’s location in the heart of the campus.
A $5 million investment in a solar panel venture is one of the most tangible manifestations of this dedication. This solar electricity will not only save the university money in the long run, but it will also help the school become more sustainable, therefore better caring for the environment.
In addition, the institution has educated some of the most powerful persons in the state and country. The founder of Farmers Insurance and the author of JavaScript software are both alumni. Graduates went on to become governors of California and Pulitzer Prize winners, among other things.
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Gonzaga University is a Catholic university in the United States.
Bing Crosby, NBA Hall of Famer John Stockton, and former Washington Governor Christine Gregoire all have something in common. They were all Bulldogs from Gonzaga University.
Gonzaga University has prepared students to be “wholehearted leaders who serve the common good and offer glory to God,” as stated in its mission statement.
The work of the aforementioned notable alumni, as well as more recent news, show evidence of that commitment.
Heather Dooley joined the Infrastructure Masons advisory committee after receiving her MBA from Gonzaga in 1999. The council exists to bring together leaders of the digital era. It is a nonprofit association of technology and industry experts who work on over $150 billion in infrastructure projects in over 130 countries.
Dooley’s work will aid the Infrastructure Masons in implementing their most recent plans and in long-term planning.
Holy Cross College is a Catholic college in the United States.
The College of the Holy Cross is one of the oldest Catholic colleges in the United States, having been founded in 1843. The College of the Holy Cross has always encouraged academic success and volunteerism, from its beginnings as a boys’ school to its current status as one of the greatest Catholic universities in the country.
Holy Cross provides internships and scholarships for students preparing for ministry, service, and government jobs in Worcester, thanks to a $2 million grant from the Lilly Endowment.
The school’s purpose is to make theology more than just a subject of study, but an inspiration for creating meaningful change in the world, and this funding will help them achieve that goal.
Holy Cross is known for the excellence of its campus, in addition to its community service. The landscaping on Holy Cross’ main campus has received multiple awards and is registered as an arboretum.
Creighton University is based in Omaha, Nebraska.
Creighton University in Omaha aspires to build a lively and diverse student body as part of its dedication to Catholic principles and service to others.
The profile of the school’s incoming freshman class shows the fruit of that labor. 60 percent of the incoming students are female, 26% are persons of color, and 43% come from religious backgrounds other than Catholicism. 13 percent of this year’s freshmen are the first in their families to attend college, demonstrating Creighton’s commitment to expanding access to education.
Creighton’s commitment to service can also be apparent in the work it undertakes for its Omaha neighbors.
Several academic service-learning activities in the area are sponsored by the institution, including working with French-speaking immigrants and delivering healthcare to underserved populations.
Creighton University is a private university in Omaha, Nebraska.
Creighton University in Omaha aspires to build a lively and diverse student body as part of its dedication to Catholic principles and service to others.
The profile of the school’s incoming freshman class shows the fruit of that labor. 60 percent of the incoming students are female, 26% are persons of color, and 43% come from religious backgrounds other than Catholicism. 13 percent of this year’s freshmen are the first in their families to attend college, demonstrating Creighton’s commitment to expanding access to education.
Creighton’s commitment to service can also be apparent in the work it undertakes for its Omaha neighbors.
Several academic service-learning activities in the area are sponsored by the institution, including working with French-speaking immigrants and delivering healthcare to underserved populations.
Loyola Marymount University is a Catholic university in Los Angeles, California.
Although Loyola Marymount University was created in 1933 when Loyola College and the Marymount School amalgamated, its roots may be traced all the way back to St. Vincent’s College, which was founded in 1865. The school’s mission of service and education is still carried out today.
The school’s sustainability activities are evidence of such devotion. The solar electric rooftop array provides 6% of the campus’s electrical demand, with another 6% obtained through renewable energy credits.
Due to the school’s desire to be good stewards of the environment, all new buildings are LEED-certified.
LMU’s MBA program is one of the best in the country. The MBA program encourages creative thinking by taking a flexible approach that allows professionals to build on their existing skills and interests.
Marquette University is a private university in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Attendance at a religious school is associated with a life of devotion and scholarship for some.
One imagines Jesuit instructors in their robes walking across campus and earnest students with their noses buried in books.
However, a short check at Marquette University’s campus life programs reveals that the school offers far more than just academics. Students can decompress by visiting local hotspots such as The Rave, a music venue, or the Olympic training ice rink.
Intramural clubs exist for a variety of interests, including board game lovers and LARPers, as well as club sports like floor hockey and esports.
But don’t be fooled: Marquette students are serious about their studies. The university is proud of its tough science programs, particularly its physical therapy and physician’s assistant degrees, which have both garnered positive feedback from observers.
Chicago’s Loyola University
Loyola University Chicago was founded by the Society of Jesus in 1870 and is located on the third coast.
Loyola has educated everyone from comedian Bob Newhart and author Sandra Cisneros to businesswoman Mary A. Tolan and U.S. Representative Mike Quigley throughout its nearly 150-year history.
Pulitzer Prizes, Grammy Awards, Emmy Awards, Guggenheim Fellowships, and MacArthur Fellowships have all been awarded to alumni.
Each year, Loyola’s eleven colleges and schools, which are spread over six locations in Chicago, serve nearly 16000 students. Loyola also has affiliations with schools in Rome, Beijing, and Ho Chi Minh City.
Students can study near some of the campus’s most notable monuments. The Madonna della Strada Chapel, built in 1939, serves both educational and religious purposes at the institution.
Every wall of the chapel is adorned with stained glass windows, each dedicated to a patron saint of the school’s main subjects or the Jesuits’ key activities.
Saint Louis University is located in Saint Louis, Missouri.
Saint Louis Institution was the first university west of the Mississippi River when it was founded in 1818. Following its Jesuit purpose to improve the quality of life for all people, SLU has only grown in reach and influence in the years thereafter.
The school’s commitment to diversity kicks off this commitment to quality of life. SLU has received the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award, the first Jesuit university to receive the award, for programs designed to attract and support students from underserved communities.
SLU was also named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for the ninth year in a row, indicating that it is a “character-building college.”
This award recognizes not only the quality of education pupils get, but also the good work they undertake in the community, such as raising funds for charitable causes or investigating and addressing community issues.
Fordham University is a private university in New York City.
Fordham University, located in the heart of New York City, provides students with a wealth of extracurricular, academic, and spiritual experiences across three campuses: Rose Hill, Lincoln Center, and Westchester.
Traditional Jesuit traditions, such as the promotion of ethics, excellence in teaching, and student care, are upheld at Fordham. It offers over 70 undergraduate programs and is noted for its highly regarded School of Law. Students can also perform environmental and ecological research at the prestigious Louis Calder Center.
Fordham University has over 180 student groups on its Rose Hill and Lincoln Center campuses, despite the fact that it does not have a Greek system. The freshman retention rate is extremely high, at 90%.
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