


Brescia University traces its origins to a college established by the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph in 1925. Its Catholic, Ursuline roots remain central to the university's identity.
The institution began as Mount Saint Joseph Junior College for Women in Maple Mount, Kentucky. It later moved to Owensboro, became coeducational, adopted the Brescia name, and eventually became Brescia University. Those changes help explain its present combination of liberal arts, professional programs, and religious heritage.
Brescia University offers a mix of liberal arts and career-oriented programs rather than the extensive array of colleges found at a large research university. Prospective students can explore fields including business, education, psychology, social work, biology, and the arts and humanities.
The university offers undergraduate study alongside selected graduate programs and online options. Program availability, delivery format, and any admission requirements beyond general university admission should be checked in the current academic catalog. This is particularly important for students pursuing teaching, social work, or another field in which professional requirements can shape the course sequence.
Brescia University is in Owensboro, Kentucky, a city on the Ohio River. Its campus setting gives students access to a mid-sized community rather than the environment of a major metropolitan university.
Owensboro provides opportunities for local employment, service, and internships, but access to a particular placement depends on the student's program and the organizations involved. Students planning to commute should consider their class schedule and transportation needs; first-year students are permitted to register or park a car on campus.
Brescia University describes its educational purpose through its Catholic identity and Ursuline tradition, emphasizing learning, service, and personal development. These are the institution's stated priorities, not measures of every student's experience.
Its approach connects liberal arts study with preparation for work and participation in communities. Applicants considering the university for religious or philosophical reasons can examine how that identity appears in coursework, campus activities, and student services, while also reviewing the requirements of their intended major.
Name of the institution
Brescia UniversityLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
City: SmallInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
Under 1,000Religious affiliation
Catholic (Roman Catholic Church)School type
Comprehensive higher education institutionMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1925Brescia University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Certificate of less than 1 year
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degreeData last updated on November 2, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.