Louisville's Highlands neighbourhood is home to Bellarmine University, a Catholic university founded in 1950. It is known for nursing and health sciences, including a Doctor of Physical Therapy, and for its Rubel School of Business. The campus is hilly and green, with most undergraduates living on site. Classes are small, and the city's big employers are a short drive away.
Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Official website: bellarmine.edu
1950
Private Catholic university
Highlands area, Louisville
$46,000 – $50,000
International undergraduates, before scholarships
$13,000 – $17,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on bellarmine.edu before you apply.
BSN Nursing
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
BS Business Administration
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 71
BS Computer Science
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 71
MBA
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Doctoral DegreeDuration
36 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 90
Nursing and physical therapy programmes with Louisville hospital placements.
The Rubel School of Business.
A hilltop campus close to the Highlands' restaurants.
Nursing graduates join Louisville hospitals such as Norton and Baptist Health.
Business graduates work at Humana, UPS and GE Appliances.
STEM graduates can apply for extended OPT.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Undergrad
Limited programmes
Postgrad
Rolling
The campus has residence halls, a chapel and sports fields spread over hilly ground, with the Highlands neighbourhood's cafes a short walk or ride away.
Louisville sits on the Ohio River and is known for the Kentucky Derby, bourbon and music. Living costs are moderate compared with most US cities.
Form I-20 issued by Bellarmine University
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
Bellarmine admits undergraduates on a rolling basis, with an early action date in the autumn. International students should apply by spring for fall.
Most programmes start in August, and many business and graduate programmes also start in January.
It's the F-1 student visa. Get your I-20 from Bellarmine University first (they need your deposit and bank documents), then pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and attend the visa interview. Book the interview early in peak season.
Nursing, business, computer science, the MBA and the DPT are popular. Undergraduates need secondary results and IELTS 6.0 to 6.5. The DPT needs a bachelor's degree with science prerequisites.
Yes. Bellarmine gives merit scholarships to most undergraduates, including international students, which cut tuition significantly.
