Niagara University
Niagara, New York
Founded in 1856, Niagara University is a comprehensive institution, blending the best of a liberal arts and professional education and grounded in a values-based, Catholic tradition. With more than 80 majors, nearly 60 minors, six pre-professional options, and 4+1 combined master’s programs, NU students are immersed in meaningful real-world learning opportunities from the moment they step foot on the university’s beautiful campus.
Niagara’s colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Education, and Hospitality and Tourism Management offer programs at the baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral level. All four of the university’s academic colleges have received the highest rankings from the top accreditation boards in their fields. In addition, the university offers an award-winning Academic Exploration program for students who are undecided about their major.
A student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1 and an average class size of approximately 19 allow for personal attention and classroom interaction. The faculty members at Niagara are internationally renowned for their abilities as researchers and teachers, helping students accomplish things they never thought possible. A recent survey indicated that 97 percent of Niagara’s graduating class was employed or enrolled in graduate school within one year of graduation.
Niagara offers a wide variety of entertainment options on- and off-campus, including trips to professional sporting events, local landmarks, concerts, malls, restaurants, and cultural festivals in the U.S. and nearby Ontario, Canada. And with 18 Division I athletics programs, there are numerous chances for NU students to put their “Purple Pride” on full display.
Get to know Niagara University
Benefits
Student Activities
- Campus Ministries
- Choral groups
- Dance
- Drama/theatre
- International Student Organization
- Literary magazine
- Model UN
- Music ensembles
- Musical theatre
- Pep band
- Radio station
- ROTC
- Student government
- Student newspaper
High-Impact Practices
- First-Year Seminars and Experiences
- Writing-Intensive Courses
- Collaborative Assignments and Projects
- Undergraduate Research
- Diversity/Global Learning
- Service-Learning, Community-Based Learning
- Internships/Coops/Practicums
- Capstone Courses and Projects/Senior Experience
Campus Resources
- Career Services
- Writing Center
- Academic Advisors
- Library Services
- Faculty Mentors
- Disability Services
- Multicultural Engagement Center
- Health Services
- Academic Tutors
- Financial Aid Advisors
- Veteran Services
- Counseling
College Highlights
Niagara University was founded on the tradition of helping to change the world through service. Niagara offers many programs for students and teachers to get involved in serving the community.
Niagara strives to educate and enrich students through programs in the liberal arts and through career preparation with special attention to the Catholic and Vincentian traditions. NU students develop a passion for learning through classroom interaction, teaching, research, and service. The university’s commitment to the Catholic faith allows students to experience the vision and reality of a service-oriented, value-centered education. St. Vincent de Paul’s tradition of serving the poor is continued at NU, where all undergraduates participate in service-learning. In addition, more than half of NU’s undergraduate students participate in research, and many take advantage of NU’s study abroad, cooperative education, and internship programs. A Niagara education is designed to make a difference in the lives of students, leading them to make a difference in the community and the world.
OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND
Niagara offers more than 80 undergraduate majors, a wide array of minors and specialized programs, six pre-professional options, combined bachelor’s/master’s programs, 29 graduate programs, and an award-winning Academic Exploration Program for undeclared students. Internships and cooperative education programs are available to provide hands-on learning experience best fitted for the individual.
LEARN WHILE SERVING
During the past academic year, Niagara students provided over 1,000 hours of community service per week. They serve as tutors in local school districts, as volunteers in more than 60 social service organizations, and as part of ReNU Niagara, a community outreach partnership that coordinates service programs in Niagara Falls.
IMPACT
IMPACT is a measured approach to instilling in NU students a model of collective impact that creates systemic change through project-based learning. It is a comprehensive and individualized service program that places more emphasis on professional and personal growth as opposed to one that highlights hours of service. Students are involved in projects ranging from working with the Niagara County District Attorney’s Office in the domestic violence program to doing historical research for non-profit agencies. Education majors serve as teachers’ aides and provide tutoring for local children. Other NU students participate in Habitat for Humanity projects, just to name a few.
NU students can take advantage of other practical work experiences, too. College of Education students begin working in classrooms in their freshman year and are then given increasing amounts of responsibility with each succeeding year. The College of Business Administration offers a five-year MBA with an undergraduate degree. The program emphasizes real-world experience with businesses from across the country as well as in the Buffalo area. As part of a cruise management course aboard a major cruise line, students in the College of Hospitality and Tourism Management have the opportunity to work alongside management in a variety of jobs, including food service and guest relations.
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Niagara students work side-by-side with their professors on a variety of collaborative research projects. Research is an excellent way for undergraduate students to gain practical, high-level research experience, further setting them apart as they prepare to enter graduate schools and careers.
At Niagara University, students have the rare opportunity to conduct their own original research as undergraduates. Their research projects are conducted under the close, year-long tutelage of NU professors and showcased at the annual Undergraduate Research Conference, which is sponsored by the university’s Honors Program.
Forty-six percent of undergraduates participate in research with a faculty member at NU, a rate of involvement that is nearly double what is reported by students at nearly 600 colleges and universities throughout the United States.
STUDYING ABROAD
For students who wish to study abroad, the university offers semester and summer programs in Chile, China, England, France, Ireland, Mexico, Spain, Thailand, and many other countries. For example, hospitality and tourism management majors have the opportunity to participate in a hotel management program in Peru, working right near the “Lost City of the Incas,” and Italy, working alongside management at a hotel on Lake Como.
In total, students may choose from more than 200 available programs in more than 30 countries.
ENROLLMENT BY ETHNICITY
Non-U.S. Citizen: 16%
Hispanic/Latinx: 5%
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 5%
White, non-Hispanic: 66%
Native/Indigenous American or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 1%
Asian, non-Hispanic: 2%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 0%
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 3%
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 2%
Niagara University, at its core, is an academic community, thriving with a community of immensely gifted faculty scholars, teachers, and servants. Ninety-six percent of Niagara faculty members have earned the highest degree in their field.
GETTING STARTED
Niagara University Beginnings (NUB) is a one-credit seminar course required of all first-year students. It is designed to introduce students to the academic culture of Niagara University. In this class, students learn about how their academic course of study is integrated with the mission, the general education curriculum, and student life.
First-year students typically take their NUB course with other students in their major and often have an NUB instructor from their major as well. The goal is to help students acclimate academically to college life, all while informing them of campus policies that impact them directly.
SMALL CLASSES WITH CARING FACULTY
Niagara’s student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1 means that classes are small enough to give students the individual attention they need to succeed. Faculty members serve as advisors to students in their major field of study (or under the Academic Exploration Program for those who have not yet decided on a major).
DO MORE AT NIAGARA
Professors not only get involved in student clubs and organizations, but they also work in conjunction with the on-campus Center for Career and Service-Learning to assist students in finding internship placements. To enhance education outside the classroom, almost every major has a corresponding academic club. Faculty offer special programs designed to stimulate and challenge the accomplished students who qualify for the Honors program. Students contribute to research in a variety of fields, and their work is often presented at national conferences.
In addition to internships and service-learning programs, students can earn credits for research projects, independent study, and cooperative education programs. They may also participate in Army ROTC.
SPECIAL STUDY OPTIONS
Programs available at this institution.
Accelerated program
Cooperative education program
Cross-registration
Distance learning
Double major
Dual enrollment
English as a Second Language (ESL)
Exchange student program (domestic)
Honors Program
Independent study
Internships
Liberal arts/career combination
Study abroad
Teacher certification program
EXTRACURRICULAR AND CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
A large percentage of Niagara students take advantage of the more than 100 extracurricular and co-curricular activities offered.Notably popular among students, volunteer work in the community is a great way to enhance area relations. Students work with numerous organizations, including the United Way, Habitat for Humanity, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Community Missions, and the Heart, Love, and Soul food pantry.
ROBUST LIBRARY
The university’s library supports student learning and knowledge creation by providing assistance and access to online and print information resources, technology, and individual and collaborative work and study space. Assistance is available in person and via online chat, text, email, and phone. The library’s main floor is open 24 hours a day during the school year.
STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITIES
The B. Thomas Golisano Center for Integrated Sciences is a state-of-the-art facility that features more than 50,000 square feet of interactive learning space. The Academic Complex, home to the College of Education and the College of Business Administration (Bisgrove Hall), is a cutting-edge learning facility. Dunleavy Hall, outstanding both educationally and architecturally, includes a modern Nursing Simulation Center, computerized lecture hall, and TV production rooms. The university’s facilities also include the Gallagher Center (gymnasium and student union); the Computer Center; DePaul Hall; St. Vincent’s Hall; the Kiernan Center, NU’s athletic and recreation center; the Elizabeth Ann Clune Center for Theatre; the Castellani Art Museum; and Dwyer Arena, a dual-rink ice hockey complex.
Niagara University’s housing accommodations include five residence halls, a grouping of five small cottages, and a student apartment complex.
The Kiernan Center offers a variety of sports and recreational facilities, including a multipurpose gymnasium, a swimming and diving pool, an indoor track, racquetball courts, free-weight and Nautilus rooms, and aerobics rooms. There are also several outdoor athletic fields as well as basketball and tennis courts.
STUDENT SERVICES
Additional student services include the Health Center, which provides inpatient and outpatient care during the day; the Learning Center, which provides free tutoring services; and the Career Services Office, which offers professional and career counseling. Other services include counseling, academic planning, and job placement.
SCHOOL LOCATION
Niagara University’s picturesque, suburban campus is located in the town of Lewiston, New York, two minutes off of the I-190 on Route 104. The campus is situated on Monteagle Ridge overlooking the lower Niagara River, which connects the two Great Lakes of Erie and Ontario. The university’s convenient campus setting is just a few miles from the world-famous Niagara Falls; 20 minutes from Buffalo, which offers a variety of cultural events, sports, and entertainment opportunities; and just 90 minutes from Rochester and Toronto, Canada’s largest metropolitan area.
The Niagara River, Lake Ontario, and the Erie Canal all provide unique opportunities for NU students to study natural sciences and to take advantage of the area’s many recreation possibilities.
ATHLETICS
Niagara University athletic teams compete on the Division I level and are members of the NCAA, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, and Atlantic Hockey Association.
Intercollegiate sports for men: baseball, basketball, cross-country, golf, ice hockey, soccer, swimming and diving, and tennis Intercollegiate sports for women: basketball, cross-country, golf, lacrosse, outdoor track & field, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, and volleyball
Club and intramural sports include cheerleading, danceline, hockey, rugby, lacrosse, and more.
More than 300 students are part of Niagara University’s “N-Zone,” one of the best student cheering sections in the country.
Notable Niagara alumni include Naismith Basketball Hall of Famers Calvin Murphy and Hubie Brown, among others.
RESIDENCE LIFE
Percent of students living on campus.
First-time, first-year (freshman) students: 72%
Undergraduates: 40%
Campus housing options.
Coed dorms
Apartments for single students
Special housing for disabled students
Special housing for international students
Theme housing
INTERNSHIPS, INTERNSHIPS, INTERNSHIPS
A chemistry major researches antibacterial surfaces. A hotel and restaurant management major interns at one of the world’s most prestigious hotels. An education major completes 150 hours of field experience in local schools before student teaching begins. Nothing teaches like experience. Niagara students work one-on-one with professors doing primary research. They pack their bags and study abroad. They pursue internships and co-op experiences. They participate in service-learning projects. Close to 75 percent of Niagara University students have internships and other practical experience.
These internships include:
Regionally
- Buffalo Sabres
- Catholic Health System of Buffalo
- Chiampou Travis Besaw & Kershner LLP
- Columbus McKinnon Corp.
- Freed Maxick & Battaglia CPAs
- Make-A-Wish Foundation
- New Directions Youth and Family Services
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
- Roswell Park Cancer Institute
- Shea’s Performing Arts Center
- Wegmans
Nationally & Internationally
- American Cancer Society
- AT&T
- Bausch & Lomb
- Deloitte
- Disney
- Ernst & Young
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Fisher-Price
- Verizon
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- U.S. Department of State
- The United States Social Security Administration
- Waldorf Astoria
PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE = JOBS
It’s no fluke that NU graduates are so highly sought after by graduate schools and employers. Niagara graduates are ready for the real world because they’ve experienced the real world.
Those types of real-world learning opportunities help Niagara alumni translate their practical education into top jobs within their career fields. According to a recent survey, 97 percent of NU graduates reported being employed or enrolled in graduate school within one year of graduation.
GIVING BACK
With such a well-rounded education, it’s not surprising that Niagara graduates go on to great success. It’s also not surprising that they are inclined to give back. NU graduates become productive in the world and for the world. They bring excellence, as well as a deep-rooted Vincentian spirit, to their jobs as well as to their families, churches, and communities. They become successful but, even more, they become fulfilled. Their jobs matter, because their education mattered.
CAREER SERVICES
NU’s award-winning Office of Career Services prepares students to make the leap into the professional world. From job fairs and résumé critiques to practice interviews and alumni networking opportunities, staff members are committed to providing students with the hands-on resources necessary to get their lives after college on track.
Career services are integrated into the student experience during all four years, with over 100 classroom presentations offered by staff members each year.
ADVANCED DEGREE PROGRAMS
Graduate students at Niagara are prepared via outstanding academic programs that accentuate one-on-one learning with highly credentialed faculty. The university offers graduate studies in business, counseling, criminal justice, education, finance, healthcare administration, interdisciplinary studies, and sport management. Also offered is a Ph.D. in leadership and policy. The NU approach to learning prepares individuals to excel in their career as change-leaders in their chosen field.
Niagara University provides over 60 graduate awards, scholarships, graduate assistantships, and campus employment opportunities for graduate students.
Admission
ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
The university welcomes men and women who have demonstrated aptitude and academic achievement at the high school level. Either SAT or ACT test scores are optional. International students are required to submit the results of their TOEFL examination and, if transcripts are not in English, they must be sent via World Education Services (WES) for the “Course by Course Report” evaluation. Interviews are recommended. Transfer students are accepted during any semester. (Transfer credit is evaluated individually by the dean of each division.) Students who complete high school in less than four years are eligible for early admission. Students may also apply under an early action program. Economically and educationally disadvantaged students from New York state are eligible to apply for admission through the Higher Educational Opportunity Program (HEOP).
ADMISSIONS FACTORS
Very Important
Rigor of secondary school record | Class rank | Academic GPA
Important
Recommendation(s) | Interview
Considered
Standardized test scores | Application Essay | Extracurricular activities
Talent/ability | Character/personal qualities | Alumni/ae relation
Volunteer work | Work experience | Level of applicant’s interest
FRESHMAN PROFILE
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
25th Percentile: 510 | 75th Percentile: 600
SAT Math
25th Percentile: 505 | 75th Percentile: 600
ACT Composite
25th Percentile: 20 | 75th Percentile: 26
ACT Math
25th Percentile: 19 | 75th Percentile: 26
ACT English
25th Percentile: 19 | 75th Percentile: 25
Tuition & Cost
Tuition: $33,700
Fees: $1,540
Room: $5,400
Board: $6,450
Aid
Niagara University offers a program (NUOP) that provides institutional admittance as well as financial and intensive academic assistance to students who otherwise would not meet admission criteria.
Additionally, the Level Tuition Program allows first-semester freshmen to “lock in” one tuition rate for four consecutive years. This makes it much easier for students and families to budget the cost of their education.
Finally, Niagara’s NUSTEP program reduces the overall cost of attendance by providing high school students with opportunities to obtain college credits.
Contact Niagara University
Contact Admissions
www.niagara.edu/admissions
(716) 286-8700
admissions@niagara.edu
Campus Location
5795 Lewiston Road
Niagara University, NY 14109
(800) 778-3450