Niagara University is a private Catholic university founded in 1856 by the Congregation of the Mission, also known as the Vincentians. It began as Our Lady of Angels Seminary and later developed into a university offering undergraduate and graduate study.
Its Vincentian origins remain central to its identity, particularly its emphasis on service and concern for people experiencing poverty. The institution's expansion beyond its original seminary purpose helps explain its present mix of liberal arts and professional programs.
Niagara University organizes its academic programs across arts and sciences, business, education, hospitality and related fields, and nursing. Students can pursue bachelor's degrees and selected graduate and professional credentials; the available degree and campus depend on the program.
Representative fields include biology, criminology, psychology, accounting, marketing, teacher education, hospitality management, and nursing. Its College of Hospitality, Sport, and Tourism Management gives applicants interested in those industries a more specialized academic option than a general business degree. Applicants should check the current academic catalog for a program's required courses, clinical placements, fieldwork, or other progression requirements before comparing majors.
Niagara University's main campus is in Niagara University, New York, in the Niagara Falls area near the Canadian border. Its location gives students access to the surrounding Niagara region while placing campus life outside a large downtown setting.
Commuting is a significant part of the undergraduate experience: reported figures indicate that 57% of students commute. First-year students may register or park a car on campus, though parking rules still apply. Buffalo Niagara International Airport is the nearest major airport; students planning regular travel should account for the additional ground trip between the airport and campus.
Niagara University describes its educational mission in Catholic and Vincentian terms, connecting academic study with ethical reflection, service, and attention to social need. That is the institution's stated purpose, not a measure of every student's experience.
The affiliation may be relevant to applicants who want service opportunities or are considering how religious identity appears in campus programming. Prospective students of any background can assess that fit by reviewing the curriculum and activities required for their particular degree.
Name of the institution
Niagara UniversityLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
Suburb: LargeInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
1,000 - 4,999Religious affiliation
Catholic (Roman Catholic Church)School type
Comprehensive higher education institutionMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1856Niagara University is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 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.
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degree
Post-master's certificate
Doctor's degree - research/scholarshipData last updated on November 5, 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.