Written by Michelle Rosmarin
Like any university, the faculty at Xavier is extremely diverse in background, teaching style, and availability. More often than not, the professors avidly encourage students to come during office hours with questions and concerns about course material. Even if you’re unlucky enough to catch a bad professor, chances are, they’re at least qualified (83 percent of Xavier faculty members hold the highest degrees in their field). Classes are relatively small. An average class is about 23 students, which can be helpful in making classes more dynamic and interesting, but if you plan to skip class, chances are the professor is going to notice. The small classes and high level of professor interaction at Xavier are a far cry from the large lectures you’d find at most big universities. If you’re looking to nod off amongst a sea of note-takers, it’s going to be tough to do well at Xavier.
Xavier has been recognized nationally for many years in the area of academic excellence, and rightly so. With a good balance of introductory courses, as well as seminars and advanced studies available, the University has created a dynamic and challenging environment. The unique ethics/religion and society core ties many of the 100-level courses together so that all students gain a common understanding of their Jesuit education and its ethical implications. The courseload is always challenging enough to keep you busy, but nothing is unmanageable. Ivy League it is not, but based on reputation and results, Xavier is a first-rate academic community.