Loyola Marymount University (LMU) is a premier private Catholic research university in Los Angeles that uniquely blends the educational traditions of the Society of Jesus and the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary. As the largest Catholic university on the U.S. West Coast, LMU serves a vibrant community of over 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students. According to the Carnegie Classification, it is an R2 doctoral university recognized for high research activity. Learn more at losangeles1.one.
The Founding of St. Vincent’s College
The university traces its roots back to 1865, when Bishop Thaddeus Amat commissioned the founding of St. Vincent’s College for Boys. It holds the distinction of being Southern California’s first institution of higher learning. Classes originally met at the historic Lugo Adobe near the Los Angeles Plaza before the campus moved to 7th Street, and eventually to a site between Grand Avenue and Washington Boulevard in the late 19th century. The college received its state charter in 1869. Notable early alumni included prominent figures like Isidore Dockweiler, Eugene Biscailuz, and Leo Carrillo.
In 1911, the Jesuits took over leadership at the request of Archbishop Thomas James Conaty. The school was renamed Los Angeles College and later became Loyola University of Los Angeles. Richard A. Gleeson served as its first Jesuit president.
The university expanded in 1920 with the founding of a law school—only the second in Los Angeles to welcome Jewish students. Now known as Loyola Law School, it maintains a separate campus in the heart of downtown. During World War II, President Edward Whelan secured an agreement with the U.S. Army to provide officer training, ensuring the university remained operational through the war years. Enrollment surged in the post-war era as veterans returned home under the G.I. Bill.
The Evolution of Marymount College
The Marymount story began in 1923 when the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary opened a girls’ school in Los Angeles. This evolved into Marymount Junior College, which eventually grew into a full four-year institution.
After moving to the Palos Verdes Peninsula in 1960, the college began a strategic partnership with Loyola University in the late 1960s. By 1973, the two institutions officially merged to form Loyola Marymount University. Under the leadership of President Donald Merrifield, the university underwent a massive expansion, adding thirteen new buildings to its footprint.
LMU’s main campus is perched atop the Del Rey Hills in the Westchester neighborhood of Los Angeles. The campus’s architectural journey began in 1929 with the completion of Xavier Hall and St. Robert’s Hall, named for St. Francis Xavier and St. Robert Bellarmine. The picturesque grounds feature landmarks like the Sacred Heart Chapel, the Regents Bell Tower, and the Malone Student Center. Today, the university boasts 36 academic and administrative buildings, 12 residence halls, and six apartment complexes. In 2022, The Princeton Review named LMU one of the most beautiful campuses in the United States.
Academic Structure
Loyola Marymount University is organized into six distinct colleges and schools:
- Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts;
- Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering;
- College of Business Administration;
- College of Communication and Fine Arts;
- School of Education;
- School of Film and Television.
LMU offers 55 undergraduate majors and 47 master’s degrees, alongside doctoral programs in education, law, and business, and a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. Students can participate in Air Force ROTC and a robust global exchange program. The university maintains its Carnegie R2 status as a doctoral university with high research activity.
Academic Reputation
Recognized for excellence, LMU is consistently ranked among the nation’s top universities by U.S. News & World Report. In the 2024 Best Colleges rankings, it earned high marks for Best Undergraduate Teaching and Best for Veterans. The Wall Street Journal also placed LMU in its top 100 national rankings in 2020.
The School of Film and Television is a powerhouse, frequently ranked among the top five film schools in the U.S. by The Hollywood Reporter and The Wrap. Its alumni roster includes industry heavyweights like Barbara Broccoli, Francis Lawrence, Brian Helgeland, and David Mirkin.
On the athletic front, the LMU Lions compete in NCAA Division I as part of the West Coast Conference. The men’s basketball team gained national fame in the late 1980s, though its history is marked by the tragic passing of star player Hank Gathers during the 1990 conference tournament—a moment that remains one of the most poignant chapters in college sports history.
Loyola Marymount University stands as a cornerstone of Catholic higher education in America. By weaving together Jesuit traditions, a rich spiritual heritage, and a modern research infrastructure, LMU has created a multifaceted academic community. Its story is one of transformation—evolving from a small regional college into a prestigious university with a significant national and global impact.