About the University of Louisville

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Founded in 1798 as one of the nation's first city-owned, public universities, the University of Louisville (UofL) is a vital ecosystem that creates thriving futures for students, the community and society.
 
As one of only 84 universities in the United States to earn recognition by the Carnegie Foundation as both a Research 1 and Community Engagement university, we are uniquely positioned to impact lives in areas of student success and research and innovation, while our dynamic connection with our local and global communities provides unparalleled opportunities for students and citizens both.
 
Located just south of the heart of Kentucky's largest city, UofL's Belknap Campus is home to eight of the university's 12 academic schools and colleges: The College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, the College of Education and Human Development, the J.B. Speed School of Engineering, the Graduate School, the Brandeis School of Law, the School of Music, and the Kent School of Social Work and Family Science. The Health Sciences Center is located in downtown Louisville's medical complex and is home to the schools of Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, and Public Health and Information Sciences, along with the University of Louisville Hospital and UofL Health - Jewish Hospital. The UofL Health enterprise includes eight hospitals, four medical centers, the Frazier Rehab Institute, Brown Cancer Center and nearly 200 physician practice locations. Shelby Campus, located in eastern Louisville, is home to several university centers, as well as the Shelbyhurst office park for business and technology endeavors.
 

Redefining student success

At UofL, we prepare today’s students to be tomorrow’s leaders, whatever their passions may be.  UofL’s more than 23,000 students study in 12 schools and colleges offering undergraduate degrees in more than 60 fields, master’s degrees in over 75 areas, and doctoral and professional degrees in more than 35 disciplines. Proudly, UofL is a producer of top scholars, including over 160 Fulbright Scholarships awarded since 2003 – more than all other Kentucky public institutions combined.

A diverse and active student body enriches the educational experience at UofL. As of fall 2023, students of color represent over 28% of student enrollment. Kentucky residents account for a majority of UofL’s student population; however more than 24% of our students are from all other U.S. states and territories and we have a growing population of international students. This dynamic tapestry of perspectives helps our Cardinal Community fuel positive change.

Beyond academics, UofL invests in the whole student, providing support and resources that allow for transformative, purpose-driven and engaged learning.  We are committed to ensuring access to higher education for all, including increasing the availability of financial aid for low-income and first-generation college students and providing additional support and resources for underrepresented populations. UofL is recognized among the nation’s best institutions for African American, LatinX and LGBTQ+ students. We also have been repeatedly designated a military friendly school. By striving for a more equitable and accessible campus community, UofL aims to change the course of future generations while preparing students for the careers, workplaces and complex challenges of tomorrow.

Research and innovation powerhouse

At UofL, we don't only push for progress among our students. We also harness the power of innovation to better our community and beyond. The university aims to advance health, empower communities and engineer the future economy through discoveries that will build a better world. In 2023, the university received $176 million in competitive research funding.

Research has long been a cornerstone of UofL, where undergraduates and graduate students work side by side with experts in their fields. The university is a leader in manufacturing and technology, and it has earned international acclaim for grounddbreaking breakthroughs in medicine, including transplantation, cancer research, cardiac care and spinal cord research. Across our three campuses, faculty and student researchers are driven by impact, pushing boundaries in scholarship and creative activity and aided by leading-edge computer systems and laboratories focusing on high-demand fields including bioengineering, nanotechnology and artificial intelligence.

Premier metropolitan university

With an alumni network more than 170,000 strong, the magnitude of Cardinal achievements is felt across the world. At home, the university is an anchor institution for the city and state, one of Louisville's largest employers and contributes significantly to the cultural and intellectual life of the community. The city serves as a classroom for UofL students, who benefit from internships and co-ops with businesses including local startups and global corporations. Access to powerful partnerships with GE, Yum! Brands, UPS, IBM, Adobe, Humana and other top employers improves students' educational experience, giving them the opportunity to apply their knowledge toward real-world projects and issues.

Our students, faculty and staff also engage in service with a purpose, setting out to impact the economic, social and cultural health and well-being of communities while empowering students to make a difference. In 2023, university members give back by participating in more than 18,500 instances of engaged teaching, research, and service.  For more than a decade, UofL’s Signature Partnership initiative has worked to enhance historically underserved areas of the city is and is recognized as a national model for community engagement.

Through the university's approach to education, innovation and connection, Cardinals make impacts that make a difference, shaping a better future for all.

Additional information about UofL can be found on the following pages: