Graduate success, strong return on investment drive recognition 

Bellarmine University has been named to TIME magazine’s inaugural America’s Best Colleges 2026–2027 list, ranking among the top 500 institutions recognized nationally. 

Produced by TIME in partnership with Statista, the new ranking evaluates colleges on measurable value for students, with student outcomes weighted at 75% of the final score, learning environment at 15%, and the extent to which students want to attend an institution at 10%.

Bellarmine earned an overall ranking of 455 on TIME’s published list, making it one of only five Kentucky institutions to be featured in the rankings.

"We're honored to be recognized in TIME’s inaugural ranking for the impact of our mission on students and the communities we serve," said Bellarmine’s president, Dr. Susan M. Donovan. "The methodology's emphasis on outcomes and the learning environment aligns with what we believe Catholic liberal arts education does at its best – preparing graduates not just for their first job, but for careers and lives of purpose. Our students’ success strengthens Louisville and the Commonwealth." 

That record of graduate success is well-documented. Ninety-nine percent of Bellarmine graduates find employment or pursue an advanced degree within six months of graduating – 16% above the national average. Measured over a lifetime, a Bellarmine degree generates a $1.93 million return on investment, significantly higher than the $1.51 million average for Kentucky private institutions and the $1.56 million average for Kentucky public institutions.  

Bellarmine is consistently ranked among the nation's top colleges and universities, appearing on lists published by U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, Forbes, Washington Monthly, Niche, and Money Magazine, among others.