Saint Joseph's University is a private, coeducational Roman Catholic university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school was founded in 1851 as Saint Joseph's College by the Society of Jesus (commonly referred to as "Jesuits"). Saint Joseph's University educates over 7,000 students each year. In 1970, ownership of Saint Joseph's College was transferred to a private corporation governed by a Board of Trustees. That same year, women were admitted for the first time. In 1978, Saint Joseph's College was elevated to the rank of university.