The Catholic University of America
Washington,
DC
• 4-Year Private
About The Catholic University of America
Students at Catholic University find themselves in a world within a world — in both a powerful and historic city, situated just three miles north of Capitol Hill, the 176-acre campus is the largest, greenest residential campus in Washington, D.C. We are a leading research university with a vibrant student-life experience and 25 Division III teams. As the one and only national university of the Catholic Church in the U.S. and America’s second-oldest research university, we believe in the compatibility of faith and reason, and embrace the development of your character — regardless of your religious belief. With 12 schools and more than 70 undergraduate programs, CatholicU combines world-class academics, individualized support, and unsurpassed opportunities for internships to help students maximize their talents, skills, and abilities to make change in the world. We do not charge an application fee and no longer consider standardized test scores as part of the review for admission.
The Catholic University of America Overview
The Catholic University of America is a private, religious school in an urban setting in Washington, DC. The Catholic University of America was founded in 1887 and now enrolls around 5,366 students a year, including 3,055 undergrads. The Catholic University of America offers housing for students. Most students live in off campus housing.
There are many ways for students to get involved at The Catholic University of America! Love music or performing? Sing in a chorus or perform with one of The Catholic University of America's theater groups.
Interested in journalism or communications? The Catholic University of America students can write for the campus newspaper, host a radio show or be a producer for the student-run television channel.
Excited for Greek life? The Catholic University of America has fraternities and sororities.
Planning to play sports? The Catholic University of America has many options for athletes. See them all and learn more about life at The Catholic University of America on the Student Life page.
Learn more about life at The Catholic University of America on the Student Life page.
Mark your calendar! The final application deadline for Fall 2022 is January 15. Regular decision applicants for Fall 2022 should receive admissions decisions by March 15.
| 2021 The Catholic University of America Facts At-A-Glance | |
|---|---|
| Academic Calendar | Semester |
| Overall Acceptance Rate | 82% |
| Early Decision Acceptance Rate | 76% |
| Early Action Acceptance Rate | 89% |
| Average GPA | 3.5 |
| Applicants Submitting ACT scores | 89% |
| Applicants Submitting SAT scores | 58% |
| Tuition | $51,040 |
| Percent of Need Met | 79% |
| Average First-Year Financial Aid Package | $37,497 |
Is The Catholic University of America a Good School?
The definition of a "good school" is different for different people. Admissions criteria, acceptance rate and average GPA are good indicators of how selective an institution is, but they don't say much about the quality of the education or the student experience. There are a few statistics that can give you a good idea of how satisfied students are and how well a school supports its students.
Let's take a closer look at to get a better idea of what The Catholic University of America offers and if it could be a good fit for you.
The Catholic University of America Acceptance Rate 2021
It is moderately difficult to get into The Catholic University of America. The Catholic University of America admitted 82% of all applicants in 2021. Out of 6,258 applications received in 2021, 5,146 students were offered admission.
Retention and Graduation Rates at The Catholic University of America
Retention is the number of students that stay enrolled at a school over time. This is a way to get a sense of how satisfied students are with their school experience, and if they have the support necessary to succeed in college.
About 86% of students who start at The Catholic University of America come back for their second year of college.The Catholic University of America's six-year graduation rate for undergrads is 74%. The average six-year graduation rate for U.S. colleges and universities is 61% for public schools, and 67% for private, non-profit schools.
Job Outcomes for The Catholic University of America Grads
Job placement statistics for recent graduates can give you a sense of the return on investment a school offers. Within six months of graduating, 63% of graduates receive at least one full-time job offer.
Recent The Catholic University of America grads have an average starting salary of $50,259 a year. The average starting salary for all 2021 graduates was around $60,000 a year, though these numbers vary widely by major.
Tuition and Financial Aid at The Catholic University of America
Cost is another important factor when choose a college. Some colleges may have high tuition, but do a better job at meeting students' financial need. The Catholic University of America meets 79% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend The Catholic University of America full-time are awarded $37,497 a year in financial aid, on average.
In 2020, students graduated with an average of $40,893 in student loans for each student with debt. For context, compare this number with the average national debt, which is around $36,000 per borrower.
The 2022-2023 FAFSA Opened on October 1st, 2021
Some financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so fill out the FAFSA asap. Visit the FAFSA website to apply for student aid. Remember, the first F in FAFSA stands for FREE! No one should ever pay to fill out the FREE Application for Federal Student Aid, (FAFSA), so don't give your money (or info!) to any website that claim you do.
Learn more about Tuition and Financial Aid at The Catholic University of America. Based on this information, how does The Catholic University of America sound? Remember, the best school for one person may be a terrible fit for another! So ask yourself: Is The Catholic University of America a good school for you?
If The Catholic University of America seems like a school you want to apply to, click the heart button to save it to your college list.
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The Catholic University of America Community Forums
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Where is The Catholic University of America Located?
The Catholic University of America is located in the urban setting of Washington, DC, less than an hour from Washington DC.
If you want to see The Catholic University of America for yourself, plan a visit. The best way to reach campus is to take Interstate 495 to Washington, or book a flight to the nearest airport, Reagan National.
You can also take a virtual campus tour to get a sense of what The Catholic University of America and Washington are like without leaving home.
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College Info
The Catholic University of America Application Deadline
First-Year Applications are Due
Jan 15
Transfer Applications are Due
Jun 1
The deadline for Fall first-year applications to The Catholic University of America is Jan 15.
The deadline for Fall transfer applications to The Catholic University of America is Jun 1.
Check the school website for more information about deadlines for specific programs or special admissions programs
The Catholic University of America ACT Scores
ACT Range
23 - 30
Estimated Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score
ACT Score
Estimated Chance
30 and Above
23 to 30
23 and Less
Stand out on your college application
- • Qualify for scholarships
- • Most students who retest improve their score
ACT Scores Needed to Get Accepted
The median ACT score of an admitted student to The Catholic University of America is 27. Students with an ACT score of 30 and above have a good chance of getting into The Catholic University of America. Students with an ACT score that falls between 23 and 30 have an average chance of getting admitted, and students with an ACT score of 23 or below have a low chance of being offered admission.
The Catholic University of America SAT Scores
Composite SAT Range
Not available
Math SAT Range
550 - 655
Reading SAT Range
580 - 670
The Catholic University of America Tuition & Fees
Tuition & Fees
$69,176
In State$69,176
Out-of-StateStudent Life
Wondering what life at The Catholic University of America is like? There are approximately 5,366 students enrolled at The Catholic University of America, including 3,055 undergraduate students and 2,311 graduate students. 96% percent of students attend school full-time, 4% percent are from DC and 96% percent of students are from other states.
96%
Full Time4%
Part Time4%
In State96%
Out-of-StateData Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases © 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved
Quick Facts
Total Enrollment
5,366
Campus Setting
Urban
Acceptance Rate
82%
Tuition and Fees
In State
$52,156
Out-of-State
$52,156
Fall Freshmen
Application Deadline
Jan 15
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