Premier Jesuit Education

A Focus on Excellence

Known and respected around the world, Jesuit education consistently focuses on these essential principles:

Care for the individual: Xavier students can count on personal attention from an outstanding faculty who are committed to your individual success. Classes average 22 students and the student-to-faculty ratio is 12:1.

Educating the whole person: At Xavier, you'll be encouraged to develop all aspects of your life-social, spiritual and academic. You'll learn how to think critically and shape your values. The Core Curriculum will provide you with a sound foundation in the liberal arts that will serve you throughout your life.

Service to others: Xavier offers a range of volunteer and service-learning opportunities that enable students to share their talents and reach out to make a difference in nearby communities and around the world.

Finding God in all things: As a Jesuit Catholic institution, Xavier is committed to being a home to all faiths, providing opportunities for students to worship and pray in all religious traditions.

Explore & Learn More
Xavier's Jesuit heritage is linked to a rich tradition. Visit our special Jesuit Identity Resource site to learn about the Ignatian vision' the University's unique identity and more.

Jesuit Tradition & Mission

The Society of Jesus (or Jesuits) is a Catholic religious order, founded nearly 500 years ago by St. Ignatius Loyola who was first joined by a small band of friends that included Francis Xavier, this University's namesake and patron saint. Xavier was the first Jesuit to preach in non-European countries such as Japan and India, and later canonized a saint in the Catholic Church.

In the United States, Xavier University is part of a network of Jesuit institutions that includes 28 universities and 52 high schools.

The University's mission: Xavier University is a community of inquiry grounded in the Jesuit, Catholic tradition dedicated to engaging and forming students intellectually, morally and spiritually, with rigor and compassion, toward lives of solidarity, service and success.

At Xavier, you'll develop knowledge for sure. But you'll also develop values, spiritual growth, responsibility for others and a love for learning — the stuff that really prepares you to function as an active member of the global community.