Jesuit Colleges for Student-Athletes
Students are often drawn to Jesuit colleges because they combine strong academics, competitive athletics and an emphasis on educating the whole person. But families sometimes wonder what “Jesuit” will mean in a student’s everyday college experience. Will students have to attend Mass? How many theology classes will they take? Is community service required?
The answer varies more than many families expect.
The Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities includes 27 colleges and universities in the United States. All share an educational tradition shaped by the Society of Jesus and ideas such as cura personalis (care for the whole person), magis (striving toward the greater good), reflection, discernment, service and the pursuit of justice. However, each university translates those values into its curriculum differently.
This guide groups U.S. Jesuit colleges by athletic division and compares the religious, philosophical and mission-centered requirements that undergraduates are most likely to encounter.
How to read the cross rating
The cross rating measures the weight of required religion- and mission-related coursework, not the religious beliefs of the students or the social atmosphere on campus.
✝✝ Moderate: Usually two or three courses in theology, religion, philosophy or ethics, or a broader core with a clear Jesuit emphasis.
✝✝✝ Significant: Multiple required courses or a sequenced program in theology/religion, philosophy and ethics, often combined with a mission seminar, social-justice course, service-learning component or capstone.
The ratings are comparative and necessarily involve some judgment. A philosophy or ethics class is not automatically a religious class, but it is included when the university explicitly presents it as part of its Catholic or Jesuit core.
What Jesuit colleges generally do—and do not—require
At the schools below, students generally do not have to be Catholic, profess a religious belief, attend Mass or participate in Campus Ministry. Worship services, retreats and faith organizations are ordinarily optional. Required theology and religious-studies courses are academic courses; many examine multiple faith traditions, religious texts, ethics, meaning, justice or the relationship between faith and reason.
Community engagement is deeply embedded in Jesuit education, but a fixed number of volunteer hours is unusual. Some schools instead use service-learning classes, experiential-learning requirements or mission-centered capstones. Requirements can also differ by undergraduate college, degree program, honors program, transfer status and year of entry, so students should confirm the rules for their intended program in the current catalog.
NCAA Division I
Boston College (Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts) — ✝✝✝
The Boston College Core requires two theology courses and two philosophy courses. Theology includes Christian Theology plus Sacred Texts and Traditions; interdisciplinary options such as PULSE combine theology, philosophy and sustained community engagement. Mass and retreats are optional. BC competes in NCAA Division I athletics, primarily in the ACC.
Canisius University (Buffalo, New York) — ✝✝✝
The Canisius Core Curriculum includes Introduction to Religious Studies and Theology, an additional religion/theology field course, Introduction to Philosophy and another philosophy field course. Ethics, justice and global-awareness attributes run across the curriculum. Worship is not required. The Golden Griffins compete in NCAA Division I, primarily in the MAAC.
College of the Holy Cross (Worcester, Massachusetts) — ✝✝
Holy Cross’s common requirements include one course in Studies in Religion and one in Philosophical Studies. Its yearlong first-year Montserrat program integrates inquiry, reflection and community, reinforcing the school’s Jesuit liberal-arts tradition without requiring religious practice. The Crusaders compete in NCAA Division I, primarily in the Patriot League.
Creighton University (Omaha, Nebraska) — ✝✝✝
Creighton’s Magis Core Curriculum incorporates theology, philosophy, ethics and courses examining faith, justice and human dignity. Exact requirements can vary by undergraduate college, but students should expect more than a single religion course and a deliberately Jesuit framework. Religious services are optional. The Bluejays compete in NCAA Division I, primarily in the Big East.
Fairfield University (Fairfield, Connecticut) — ✝✝✝
The Magis Core Curriculum includes religious-studies, philosophy and ethics coursework, with an emphasis on reflection, social justice and integration of learning. Students are not required to attend Mass. The Stags compete in NCAA Division I, primarily in the MAAC.
Fordham University (Bronx, New York) — ✝✝✝
Fordham’s undergraduate core normally includes two theology courses and two philosophy courses, including philosophical ethics, as well as courses that address social justice and diversity. Religious observance is optional. The Rams compete in NCAA Division I, primarily in the Atlantic 10; football competes in the Patriot League.
Georgetown University (Washington, D.C.) — ✝✝✝
Georgetown’s Core Curriculum generally requires two theology courses and two philosophy courses, although the exact core varies among its undergraduate schools. The curriculum reflects Georgetown’s Jesuit values while welcoming students of every faith and no faith. Worship and retreats are optional. The Hoyas compete in NCAA Division I, primarily in the Big East; football competes in the Patriot League.
Gonzaga University (Spokane, Washington) — ✝✝✝
The Gonzaga University Core includes philosophy, religious studies, ethics and a sequence of integrative core courses grounded in its Catholic, Jesuit and humanistic mission. Students study Christianity and other religious traditions but are not required to practice a faith. The Bulldogs compete in NCAA Division I, primarily in the West Coast Conference.
Le Moyne College (Syracuse, New York) — ✝✝
Le Moyne’s Core Curriculum includes study of religious perspectives, philosophy and ethics within a Jesuit liberal-arts framework. There is no general worship requirement. The Dolphins are reclassifying to NCAA Division I and compete primarily in the Northeast Conference; families should verify the current championship and postseason status of individual teams during the transition.
Loyola Marymount University (Los Angeles, California) — ✝✝✝
LMU’s Core Curriculum requires Theological Inquiry and Philosophical Inquiry, followed later by Faith and Reason and Ethics and Justice. An Engaged Learning flag adds an applied component, although it does not always mean volunteer service. LMU describes its identity through the combined Jesuit, Marymount and Catholic traditions. The Lions compete in NCAA Division I, primarily in the West Coast Conference.
Loyola University Chicago (Chicago, Illinois) — ✝✝✝
The Loyola Chicago Core requires two theology/religious-studies courses, two philosophy courses and one ethics course, plus an Engaged Learning experience. These are academic and experiential requirements, not requirements to worship. The Ramblers compete in NCAA Division I, primarily in the Atlantic 10.
Loyola University Maryland (Baltimore, Maryland) — ✝✝✝
Loyola Maryland’s Core Curriculum requires Introduction to Christian Theology, a second theology or philosophical-perspectives course, an ethics course and philosophy study. All students take two theology courses when the ethics option is fulfilled through theology; pathways vary, but Christian theology has a central place. Mass is optional. The Greyhounds compete in NCAA Division I, primarily in the Patriot League.
Marquette University (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) — ✝✝✝
The Marquette Core Curriculum requires Foundations in Theology, Foundations in Philosophy and the culminating course Service of Faith and Promotion of Justice. Social systems, values and reflective discernment are also integrated throughout the core. The requirement is academic rather than devotional. The Golden Eagles compete in NCAA Division I, primarily in the Big East.
Saint Joseph’s University (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) — ✝✝✝
The Cornerstone Core requires one theology course, one religious-studies course and two philosophy courses, one of which must be ethics-designated. A Mission Overlay adds coursework explicitly tied to the university’s Catholic and Jesuit mission. Church attendance is not required. The Hawks compete in NCAA Division I, primarily in the Atlantic 10.
Saint Louis University (St. Louis, Missouri) — ✝✝✝
SLU’s University Undergraduate Core includes six credits in Theological and Philosophical Foundations, mission-oriented first-year learning and additional requirements centered on dignity, justice, reflection and responsibility. The core is explicitly grounded in SLU’s Catholic, Jesuit identity, but religious practice is optional. The Billikens compete in NCAA Division I, primarily in the Atlantic 10.
Saint Peter’s University (Jersey City, New Jersey) — ✝✝
The Saint Peter’s Core Curriculum requires a philosophy course, a theology course and an additional upper-level philosophy or theology course. Theology choices include Religious Faith in the Modern World and Introduction to the Study of Christianity. There is no general Mass requirement. The Peacocks compete in NCAA Division I, primarily in the MAAC.
Santa Clara University (Santa Clara, California) — ✝✝✝
Santa Clara has one of the more substantial religion sequences on this list. Its Core Curriculum requires three sequential Religion, Theology and Culture courses, as well as ethics and civic-engagement requirements. The courses are academic and may engage a variety of traditions; worship is optional. The Broncos compete in NCAA Division I, primarily in the West Coast Conference.
Seattle University (Seattle, Washington) — ✝✝✝
Seattle University’s University Core includes Philosophies of Humanity, Theological Explorations, Ethical Inquiry, Religion in a Global Context and Responsibility and Action. This makes its mission-centered academic footprint comparatively substantial, even though students are not required to worship. The Redhawks compete in NCAA Division I; families should check the athletics site for each team’s current conference because conference affiliations have been changing.
University of Detroit Mercy (Detroit, Michigan) — ✝✝✝
Detroit Mercy’s Core Curriculum includes nine credits in Religious and Philosophical Knowledge—philosophy, religious knowledge and an additional philosophy/religion elective—plus ethics. Personal spiritual development and spirituality/social justice are integrating themes across approved courses. The Titans compete in NCAA Division I, primarily in the Horizon League.
University of San Francisco (San Francisco, California) — ✝✝
The USF Core Curriculum includes philosophy, theology/religious studies and ethics. The theology component is typically one course, while the broader core connects human dignity, diversity and social justice to the university’s Jesuit Catholic mission. Religious participation is optional. The Dons compete in NCAA Division I, primarily in the West Coast Conference.
Xavier University (Cincinnati, Ohio) — ✝✝✝
The Xavier Core includes Theological Foundations, Ethics as an Introduction to Philosophy, a second philosophical-perspectives course and an Ethics/Religion-and-Society elective. Mission-driven reflection extends across the curriculum, but worship is not required. The Musketeers compete in NCAA Division I, primarily in the Big East.
NCAA Division II
Regis University (Denver, Colorado) — ✝✝
Regis’s undergraduate core incorporates philosophy, religious studies and ethics within its Jesuit Catholic mission. Requirements vary somewhat by college and program, so students should check the degree-specific plan. There is no general Mass requirement. The Rangers compete in NCAA Division II, primarily in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
Rockhurst University (Kansas City, Missouri) — ✝✝✝
The Rockhurst Core Curriculum gives substantial space to theology, philosophy and ethics and connects them to the university’s Jesuit commitment to learning, leadership and service. Required service may occur through designated courses or programs rather than a universal stand-alone volunteer-hour rule. The Hawks compete in NCAA Division II, primarily in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.
Spring Hill College (Mobile, Alabama) — ✝✝✝
Spring Hill’s undergraduate core includes theology, philosophy and ethics within a strongly articulated Jesuit liberal-arts tradition. Some mission and service expectations may be embedded in courses rather than imposed as worship or a religious test. The Badgers compete in NCAA Division II, primarily in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
NCAA Division III
John Carroll University (University Heights, Ohio) — ✝✝✝
John Carroll’s Core Curriculum combines philosophy, theology/religious studies, ethics and courses engaging issues of justice within the university’s Jesuit Catholic mission. Students are not required to be Catholic or attend worship. The Blue Streaks compete in NCAA Division III, where athletic scholarships are not offered.
University of Scranton (Scranton, Pennsylvania) — ✝✝✝
Scranton’s General Education curriculum includes philosophy and theology/religious-studies requirements, with ethics and mission-related learning shaped by its Catholic and Jesuit identity. Exact course patterns can vary by program. The Royals compete in NCAA Division III, where athletic scholarships are not offered.
NAIA
Loyola University New Orleans (New Orleans, Louisiana) — ✝✝
Loyola New Orleans’s Loyola Core includes philosophy, religious studies and ethics or values-oriented coursework grounded in the university’s Jesuit and Catholic character. Requirements vary somewhat by degree program, and religious practice is optional. The Wolf Pack competes in the NAIA, primarily in the Southern States Athletic Conference.
What should families take away from this list?
A student does not need to be Catholic—or religious—to thrive at a Jesuit college. The more useful question is whether the student is comfortable spending part of the core curriculum examining religion, philosophy, ethics, purpose and social responsibility.
For some students, these requirements are a major attraction. They create structured opportunities to wrestle with enduring questions, connect academic learning to values and consider how a future career might serve others. Other students may prefer a curriculum with fewer prescribed courses or less explicitly religious language. Neither preference is right or wrong, but it is worth understanding before applying.
Student-athletes should also remember that athletic division is only the beginning of the recruiting conversation. They should investigate the specific team’s conference, competitive level, roster size, coaching staff, scholarship model, travel demands and academic support. A Jesuit university may offer an appealing combination of serious academics, competitive athletics and whole-person development—but the fit still needs to work academically, athletically, socially and financially.
Additional sources
Information reviewed September 2026. Universities revise curricula and athletic affiliations, and requirements may differ by undergraduate college, major, honors program, transfer status or catalog year. Always confirm the current requirements with the university and the current sport offerings with the athletics department.
The university curriculum, mission and athletics pages are linked directly throughout the article. The following broader sources were also used to verify the national list, institutional locations, athletic classifications and terminology: