My four years of Jesuit High School of Tampa followed by 4 years at Loyola NO, have served me just fine. Was accepted to much harder admission standards schools, Tulane and Georgia Tech, TCU and Notre Dame but am a better man for my decisions. Period. P.s. Had full rides to all of the above.
I would imagine that most people who have attended a Jesuit institution feel the same way. It really hurts when I read on this site that a prospective college student writes off a Jesuit college because he/she would have to take a couple theology courses, there seemed to be too many priests on campus, or there were crucifixes on the classroom walls. Anyone expecting Jesuits to be mindless drones dying to force their religion on you would be greatly disappointed.
Like most everything Jesuit Universities are right for some and may not be ideal for others. In my own experience, my S went to a Jesuit University (Fordham) and truly benefited by taking the large liberal arts core curriculum and he had a fantastic 4 year experience at the school. Even though he was a business major he got a very strong liberal arts background due to the Jesuit core which will benefit him throughout his career and his life. Other than business, my S had no particular subject are he particular felt strongly about exploring so taking the wide range of classes required by the Jesuit core was a very good fit for him. In contrast my D was a science/psychology kid who had very clearly defined interests (Shakespeare/theater, classical music history, etc.) that she wanted to study in-depth in college in addition to her science and psychology courses. She felt the large number of classes required by the Jesuit core would stand in the way of her pursuing her major as well as her particular interests in-depth and we understood that. She attended a LAC (Lafayette College) and that turned out to be perfect for her. The distribution requirements at her LAC insured that she did take a wide range of classes, but the requirements at her LAC were much more flexible and easier to complete than my S’s Jesuit core. She had an equally wonderful 4 year experience at her college. Thankfully both kids have done equally well in their respective fields after their undergrad years.
So while I’m a huge fan of the Jesuits and my S had a phenomenal experience at Fordham I think that each individual should consider his/her needs/desires, consider what he/she wants to get out of a college experience, and make a choice that works best. In addition,while one certainly does not have to be Catholic to feel comfortable at a Jesuit institution, IMO anyone who cannot be respectful of religion or who feels uncomfortable seeing any evidence of religion on campus should not attend a Jesuit college.
Within the confines of affordability, choosing a college should be about finding the right fit. Different strokes for different folks.
I always tell this story to anyone worried about the Jesuits pushing religion on students:
My genetics class at Loyola was taught by one of the good Jesuit Fathers. When we were talking about Brother Gregor Mendel and his peas, Father paused, got a pensive look on his face, and said, “Don’t ever join a religious order just to get an education; it’s not worth it.” :))
Note: I categorically deny that my genetics class was so long ago that Mendel was a guest lecturer. 
poblob14
I would say a catholic college in 2017 is not the same as in 1880. I would have no issue attending a catholic college and I am an atheist. if they were still the same as in 1880 no chance i would. I was in a catholic hospital er a couple years ago and the only thing is in the lobby hey had a photo of a nun. I am sure if you saw the original hospital on the site in whatever year they opened they had crosses everywhere and nuns too.