Xavier University, private, coeducational institution ofhigher learning inCincinnati,Ohio, U.S. It isaffiliated with theJesuit order (Society of Jesus) of theRoman Catholic church. Theuniversitycomprises colleges of arts and sciences, business administration, and social sciences. In addition to undergraduate studies, Xavier offers about a dozenmaster’s degree programs, notably in the fields of education andpsychology, and adoctoral program in psychology.

The university was established in 1831 as the Athenaeum. It was the fourth Jesuit university in theUnited States. The name was changed to St. Xavier College in 1840 and to Xavier University in 1930. Though founded as a men’s university, it admitted women to some courses long before it adopted acomprehensive coeducational policy in 1969. The colleges of business administration and social sciences were formed in 1961 and 1988, respectively.