A Jesuit university is a private college or university that is associated with the Jesuit order, a form of Catholicism also known as the Society of Jesus. Jesuit colleges emphasize Jesuit principles such as community service, leadership, and social justice. They also offer a liberal arts education that aims to develop the whole person, stimulate critical thinking, and integrate knowledge across multiple academic areas. Jesuit education is based on the teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits, and has a global perspective. One does not need to be a Jesuit or a Catholic to attend a Jesuit college.
