Canisius is one of 27 Jesuit colleges and universities in the U.S. and consistently ranked among the top institutions in the Northeast. Canisius is one of 27 Jesuit colleges and universities in the U.S. and consistently ranked among the top institutions in the Northeast. CANISIUS UNIVERSITY IS A PRIVATE, INDEPENDENT ROMAN CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY, GOVERNED BY AN INDEPENDENT SELF PERPETUATING BOARD OF TRUSTEES UNDER A CHARTER GRANTED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. ESTABLISHED AS A LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE, THE UNIVERSITY HAS GROWN TO INCLUDE A GRADUATE DIVISION, A SCHOOL OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, A SCHOOL OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND A SUMMER SESSION IN ADDITION TO THE COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES.