Big Leafy University

Institutional Profile

Location: Louisville, KY
Type: 4-year, Public, Very high research activity
Awards offered: Less than one year certificate
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degree
Post-master's certificate
Doctor's degree - research/scholarship
Doctor's degree - professional practice
Campus setting: City: Large
Campus housing: Yes
Student population: 22,234 (16,644 undergraduate)
Student-to-faculty ratio: 18 to 1

Brief History: Big Leafy Seminary was founded in 1834 amidst a flurry of educational and
religious evangelism in the historical period known as the Second Great Awakening. Begun
as a seminary, Big Leafy struggled in the early years to attract students. The Big Leafy
Medical Institute (BLMI), opened in 1837, and the Big Leafy Collegiate Institute (BLCI),
consisting of two campuses, was chartered the same year. In 1846, the Kentucky legislature
created Big Leafy University proper, combining the medical school, the college, and the
seminary. There was now a common board of trustees, and an institutional president,
although each campus retained financial autonomy.

Mission Statement: Big Leafy University shall be a premier, nationally recognized

metropolitan research university with a commitment to the liberal arts and sciences and to
the intellectual, cultural, and economic development of our diverse communities and
citizens through the pursuit of excellence in five interrelated strategic areas: (1)
Educational Experience, (2) Research, Creative, and Scholarly Activity, (3) Accessibility,
Diversity, Equity, and Communication, (4) Partnerships and Collaborations, and (5)
Institutional Effectiveness of Programs and Services.

In-state tuition: $10,000

Out-of-state tuition: $20,000
% Pell Grant Recipients: 26
% Aid Recipients: 48
% Full-time: 78
% White 78
% African American or Black 12
% Hispanic or Latino 3
% In-state students 83
4 year graduation rate 21%
6 year graduation rate 49%
8 year graduation rate 50%
AA/Black 6 yr grad rate 41%
Hispanic/Latino 6 yr grad rate 51%
Male 6 yr grad rate 44%
Female 6 yr grad rate 53%
Acceptance rate 73%