Ranking Jesuit Colleges in the USA: Academics and More

Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States offer a distinctive approach to higher education, rooted in the traditions of the Society of Jesus. These institutions blend rigorous academic standards with a commitment to social justice, ethics, and service to others. This article explores the academic rankings of Jesuit colleges in the USA, their unique characteristics, and what prospective students should consider when choosing a school.

What is a Jesuit Education?

A Jesuit education is more than just attending a Catholic school. It is a tradition deeply rooted in the Society of Jesus, a Catholic order founded in 1540 by St. Ignatius Loyola. Jesuit schools emphasize liberal arts values, critical thinking, and high academic standards. They promote the development of the whole person, or cura personalis, encouraging students to integrate knowledge across multiple academic areas.

Jesuit colleges are generally more liberal than other Catholic schools and welcome students of all faiths. While these schools offer ample resources for Catholic students, such as retreats, mission trips, and community service projects, they are open to individuals from all backgrounds.

Key Principles of Jesuit Education

Jesuit colleges stress key principles such as ethics, leadership, and community service. Students are typically required to take core courses in various disciplines to provide a well-rounded intellectual foundation. The goal is to educate students to be not only knowledgeable but also compassionate and committed to making a positive impact on the world.

According to the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU), a Jesuit higher education is grounded in the liberal arts tradition with a focus on quality teaching, critical thinking, and rigorous academic standards and scholarship. It is guided by a spirituality that seeks justice.

Jesuit Colleges and Universities in the United States

There are 27 Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States, each with its unique strengths and characteristics. These institutions vary in size, cost, and prestige but share a common religious commitment to education. The Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) lists the following institutions:

Boston College
Canisius College
College of the Holy Cross
Creighton University
Fairfield University
Fordham University
Georgetown University
Gonzaga University
John Carroll University
Le Moyne College
Loyola Marymount University
Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Maryland
Loyola University New Orleans
Marquette University
Regis University
Rockhurst University
Saint Joseph’s University
Saint Louis University
Saint Peter’s University
Santa Clara University
Seattle University
Spring Hill College
University of Detroit Mercy
University of San Francisco
University of Scranton
Xavier University

Ranking Jesuit Colleges: Factors to Consider

When evaluating Jesuit colleges, several factors come into play. These include academic rigor, acceptance rates, student-to-faculty ratio, and credibility among employers. Rankings from sources such as U.S. News & World Report, Forbes, and Niche can provide valuable insights.

To determine which schools are among the best Jesuit colleges, a methodology considering several key factors is often used. For each factor, the school is assigned a point value, and these points are totaled to get a final score. Key factors include:

National College Ranking Lists: Rankings from U.S. News & World Report, Forbes, and Niche.
Freshman Retention Rate: The percentage of freshmen who stay on for the next year.
Student/Faculty Ratio: Lower ratios mean more individualized instruction.
Median Salary Upon Graduation: Reported by U.S. News & World Report.

Top Jesuit Colleges in the United States

Based on various standards, including academic rigor, acceptance rates, student-to-faculty ratio, and credibility among employers, here are some of the top Jesuit colleges in the U.S.:

Georgetown University (Washington, D.C.): Founded in 1789, Georgetown is the oldest Jesuit school in the nation and is highly competitive. It has a reputation as a highly competitive research university. Over 60 percent of classes have fewer than 20 students, and the freshman retention rate is a whopping 96 percent.
Boston College (Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts): With over 60 undergraduate majors, BC is a liberal arts college that appears on many ‘best colleges’ lists. The student organizations at BC are seemingly endless, with over 200 options to choose from, and its freshman retention rate, at 95 percent, is quite high.
Loyola Marymount University (Los Angeles, California): Loyola Marymount University houses more than 6,500 undergraduates, making it the biggest Catholic university on the West Coast. It contains seven schools, with specializations such as education, law, and business administration. LMU has over 185 student organizations and 23 fraternities and sororities. state, as well as international students from many countries. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1, and over 50 percent of its classes containing fewer than 20 students, it is easy to see why so many people from around the world choose this school, where the freshman retention rate is 90 percent.
Fordham University (Bronx, Manhattan, Westchester, New York): Located in New York, Fordham University comprises three campuses: Rose Hill (Bronx), Lincoln Center (Manhattan), and West Harrison (Westchester County). Fordham has a notable law school and over 70 undergraduate majors, and students have access to the Louis Calder Center for purposes of environmental and biological research, among other unique opportunities on their respective campuses. In addition, Fordham offers over 180 student clubs at its Rose Hill and Lincoln Center campuses. The freshman retention rate is on the higher side, at 91 percent.
Santa Clara University (Santa Clara, California): Santa Clara University is an hour outside of San Francisco, California, in Silicon Valley. The Society of Jesus founded the school in 1851, and SCU still closely follows Jesuit principles of ethics and social justice, even offering a Jesuit School of Theology. It was named a Top Green College in 2018 and 2019 by The Princeton Review due to its emphasis on sustainability. SCU offers over 50 undergraduate majors, and many of its professors are renowned Fulbright scholars, famous authors and poets, and successful scientists. Santa Clara University also has a great freshman retention rate of 94 percent. Santa Clara University is ranked No. 2, earning an overall score of 95 out of 100. SCU maintained its No. Santa Clara University’s Leavey School of Business was one of the 100 Best Business Programs, ranking at No. SCU ranked No. SCU was also ranked No.
College of the Holy Cross (Worcester, Massachusetts): The College of the Holy Cross is located about 45 minutes outside of Boston, in the town of Worcester. Although many of its students are Catholic, Holy Cross welcomes students of all faiths. The college offers more than 100 student organizations, and the Worcester area is brimming with college life, as there are over 12 schools nearby. There are no graduate programs at Holy Cross, so it is truly a school for the undergraduate experience. Its student-to-faculty ratio is 10:1, which is one of the best ratios among the Jesuit colleges. The freshman retention rate at Holy Cross stands at a strong 96 percent.
Saint Louis University (St. Louis, Missouri): Founded in 1818, Saint Louis University is the second-oldest Jesuit college in the United States. With approximately 90 majors and academic programs-more than most Jesuit colleges offer-as well as over 150 student organizations and 24 sororities and fraternities, there is something for every student at SLU. In true Jesuit form, SLU is committed to community service: The school’s student body contributes over one million hours of service annually. SLU also has an overseas campus in Madrid, Spain, where students can study for as long as four years or as briefly as one semester. Of all the Jesuit colleges, the student-to-faculty ratio at SLU is the lowest at 9:1. Accordingly, 47 percent of its classes have fewer than 20 students. SLU has an admirable freshman retention rate of 90 percent.
Gonzaga University (Spokane, Washington): Downtown Spokane, Washington, is less than half a mile from the esteemed Gonzaga University. For outdoor enthusiasts, Gonzaga offers a great location: Students can walk the 37-mile-long Spokane River Centennial Trail or spend time relaxing at the 100-acre Riverfront Park. For the sports aficionado, over 60 percent of Gonzaga’s students participate in intramural sports clubs, and the school has a very successful men’s basketball team. In addition, Gonzaga has over 60 undergraduate majors and its School of Law is one of three law schools in Washington State, from which many Supreme Court justices have hailed. At a solid 94 percent, its freshman retention rate is quite high. Gonzaga University was ranked the 4th best regional university in the West for the second year in a row. Gonzaga’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences is the 22nd best (tie) engineering program nationwide (among engineering schools whose highest degree is a bachelor’s or master’s). Gonzaga also ranks No. Gonzaga ranks No. 2 in the West for its average first-year student retention rate of 94 percent and it also ranks No. 2 (tie) in the region for its (2015) graduation rate of 83 percent. Gonzaga’s No.
Loyola University Chicago (Chicago, Illinois): Loyola University Chicago has a huge undergraduate population of almost 12,000, making it one of the largest Jesuit colleges in the United States. Within its 12 colleges, Loyola offers undergraduates over 80 majors, many of which are interdisciplinary concentrations. Loyola University Chicago is part of over 12 NCAA Division I sports and offers a selection of more than 250 student clubs and organizations. The convenient Chicago location provides the opportunity for students to explore internships, careers, entertainment and volunteerism. In fact, Loyola’s Jesuit basis encourages students to volunteer and allows them to earn academic credit for many volunteer endeavors. Loyola University Chicago’s freshman retention rate stands at 83 percent.
Marquette University (Milwaukee, Wisconsin): Founded in 1881, Marquette has a total undergraduate enrollment of 7,528. With 83 majors, 81 minors, and an extensive study-abroad catalog, Marquette has a robust educational offering. The Marquette Golden Eagles are members of the NCAA Division I Big East Conference and compete at a high level in basketball. The student-faculty ratio at Marquette University is 14:1, and 47.8 percent of its classes have fewer than 20 students.

Other Notable Jesuit Institutions

Fairfield University (Fairfield, Connecticut): Situated in Fairfield, Connecticut, Fairfield University is a private university with an acceptance rate of 56% and over 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled across its five schools. Embracing a “liberal humanistic approach to education” and “encouraging critical thinking, cultivating free and open inquiry, and fostering ethical and religious values,” Fairfield University joins this list of best Jesuit colleges and universities for its emphasis on innovative learning.
Loyola University Maryland (Baltimore, Maryland): Loyola University Maryland is located in Baltimore, Maryland and is a private university with an acceptance rate of 84% and a total of 3,700 undergraduate students. The school’s Jesuit liberal arts education “calls students to tackle academic challenges head-on, to redefine what’s possible, to understand how it all connects, to think differently, to strive for excellence.” Out of all of the Loyola-named universities, Loyola University Maryland was founded as the first institution in the US to bear St.
Seattle University (Seattle, Washington): Seattle University maintained its more than decade-long Top 10 ranking as one of the West’s best regional universities, ranking eighth among 124 western regional universities that offer a full range of undergraduate, master’s, and select doctoral degree programs. The university earned high national marks in other categories, including #31 for best undergraduate engineering programs and #114 in best undergraduate business programs. In the business subspecialties, the undergraduate finance and accounting programs placed in the Top 25 nationally.

Is a Jesuit College Right for You?

Deciding whether to attend a Jesuit college involves considering several factors. These schools emphasize ethics, community service, and a broad foundation of knowledge. If these values align with your own, a Jesuit college may be a good fit.

Consider the following questions:

What majors and academic programs does the college offer?
What is the student-to-faculty ratio, and how accessible are professors and academic advisors?
What is the campus culture and community like?
Are there clubs, organizations, and activities that interest you?
What is the housing situation like, and what are the options for on-campus and off-campus housing?
What is the location of the college, and what is the surrounding community like?
What is the college's support for career development, internships, and job placement?
What is its support for mental health, wellness, and student services?
What is the cost of tuition, fees, and other expenses?
Are there financial aid or scholarship options available?

Student Life at a Jesuit College

Students applying to Jesuit schools should expect a typical campus life, but with coursework and educational opportunities steeped in Jesuit beliefs. Many Jesuit colleges incorporate Jesuit principles in programs like their first-year experience. Some schools require students to take theology courses as part of the core curriculum, integrating different ways of knowing and emphasizing the ethical dimensions of learning.

An integral part of campus life at many of these schools is the variety of cultural backgrounds among students, faculty, and community members. Many Jesuit colleges have non-Catholic and non-Christian faith-based groups, creating a receptive and welcoming place for students of all faiths.

Applying to a Jesuit College

Jesuit school officials seek motivated, curious students regardless of background. Students from all backgrounds and educations are encouraged to apply. Jesuit schools look for students who are ready to be challenged and display a hunger for knowledge.

Read also: Jesuit Education Strategy Civ VI

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