The Real Cost of Bellarmine: Students Look for Ways to Make College More Affordable
By Niki Kollaritsch
September 8, 2026
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — For students at Bellarmine University, the cost of earning a college degree can add up quickly. Tuition, housing, meal plans and other expenses can push the listed cost of attendance above $60,000 a year before financial aid.
For the 2026–27 academic year, Bellarmine undergraduate tuition is approximately $50,660, with an additional $1,600 comprehensive fee. For students living on campus, housing and meal plans can add thousands more to the yearly bill.
Lauren Lewis, vice president for enrollment marketing and communication, said the number students see on Bellarmine’s website is not necessarily the amount they actually pay.
“The sticker price of Bellarmine is high and there is no denying that…but that is not actually what anyone pays when they come to Bellarmine,” Lewis said.
Scholarships and financial aid can significantly reduce the cost of attendance. Students may receive institutional scholarships, federal and state grants, endowed scholarships and outside scholarships.
Still, finding and understanding those opportunities can be difficult, particularly for students who are already enrolled and may assume most scholarships are available only to incoming first-year students. The Financial Aid Office encourages all students to reach out and explore additional financial support.
“We get a lot of students that are concerned with the costs. We recommend for them to always come to us if they have any questions, because only if we know about it, we can help,” Jennifer Davis, associate director of financial aid, said. “Students may have more options than they realize.”
Outside scholarships can be applied toward college expenses, while some endowed scholarships allow eligible Bellarmine students to be considered for additional aid. Completing the FAFSA each year can also determine eligibility for federal and state assistance.
For some students, additional financial aid is the only way that makes it possible for them to attend Bellarmine University. Layah Hodges used a transfer pathway between Bellarmine University and the Kentucky Community & Technical College System, which is designed to make the transition to a bachelor’s degree affordable.
“I found out that there is a pathway I could take. It’s called “2BU,” and it gives a discount on tuition, so instead of $50,000, it dropped to about $16,000 for me, so that definitely made my ability to come to Bellarmine much more possible,” Hodges said.
Another opportunity for Bellarmine students to get additional help is through programs like the Hall Host program, which completely covers housing on Bellarmine’s campus. Adeline Ward, a senior design, arts, and technology major, said the program has been an important opportunity for her.
“Through my best friend, Kaytlin Perry, I found out about the Hall Host program, and it’s just an amazing thing that I get to be a part of to show future students what Bellarmine is like, but also to get my housing covered,” Ward said.
For students, the financial pressure can affect more than a bank account. Paying for college can influence decisions about working during the semester, living on or off campus and plans for life after graduation.
“Tuition is still always in the back of my mind. I have worked three jobs during the school year to afford going here,” Ward said.
Mason Acton, a junior accounting and finance major and Bellarmine baseball player, said the overall cost of attending the university surprised him.
“It was definitely shocking. You don’t think of school being that much,” Acton said.
Even with financial support through athletics, Acton said rising tuition has remained a concern.
“I am on an athletic scholarship, but the raise of tuition was shocking because I thought I would never pay more than my first year,” Acton said.
Davis said making students aware of their options is especially important when financial concerns could affect their ability to continue their education.
Students can also search for scholarships from organizations outside the university. Even smaller awards can add up when combined with existing financial aid.
“Being able to find an external scholarship from a local non-profit organization was big for me, definitely using state and federal funds as available was wonderful for me to help pay for the rest of my tuition,” Hodges said.
For students worried about their next tuition bill, the first step may simply be asking what options are available at the Financial Aid Office.
“If you need help or want to explore more options, come to us. Our doors are open anytime,” Davis said.
Acton said he encourages students not to give up, even if it can sometimes be hard to finance college.
“Keep doing what you are doing, even if you have to take some loans. You are doing great,” Acton said.
Hodges said students should use the resources available to them at Bellarmine, like the Financial Aid Office.
“Being able to be resourceful and talk to someone if you are struggling is important,” Hodges said.
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