The Catholic University of America

About The Catholic University of America

The Catholic University of America began as a graduate and research institution founded by the bishops of the United States in 1887. Pope Leo XIII formally established it in 1889, and classes opened that November. Its Catholic identity is institutional rather than incidental: the university describes itself as the national university of the Catholic Church in the United States and connects teaching and research with the Catholic intellectual tradition. Today, it is a comprehensive, coeducational university offering undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and professional study. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education lists the institution as accredited and reports that its accreditation was reaffirmed, with the next self-study evaluation scheduled for 2027–28. This independent accreditation provides authoritative confirmation that the record represents an operating degree-granting institution. The university's academic structure spans 12 schools and colleges, plus a Theological College for priestly formation. Its range extends from liberal arts, science, engineering, architecture, business, and nursing to social work, philosophy, theology, canon law, and law. Catholic teaching influences the university's stated educational purpose, so applicants should consider whether that environment fits their preferences. Students do not need to limit themselves to religious subjects, but faith, ethics, service, and questions about the relationship between reason and belief are visible parts of institutional life.

Traditional first-year applicants use the Common Application. The published application requires the Common Application essay, official high-school transcripts, a secondary-school report with a counselor letter, and at least one teacher recommendation. Some applicants to the Rome School of Performing Arts may also need an audition. Catholic University charges no undergraduate application fee. For the currently published cycle, Early Action and binding Early Decision I have November 1 deadlines. Binding Early Decision II and nonbinding Regular Decision have February 1 deadlines. Because the admissions page does not label these dates with a specific entry year, applicants for fall 2027 should confirm them directly before relying on them. The university currently uses a test-optional policy for undergraduate admission, the Honors Program, and merit-scholarship review. Applicants may submit SAT or ACT scores for consideration, while those who do not are stated to face no disadvantage. Enrolling first-year students are nevertheless required to provide scores after admission for institutional assessment. The recommended secondary-school preparation is four years each of English, mathematics, and history or social studies; three years of science including two laboratory sciences; and two years of a foreign language. International undergraduate applicants use the Common Application, must document secondary preparation equivalent to a U.S. high-school diploma, provide translated academic records where applicable, demonstrate English proficiency when required, and document financial support. The international admissions page separately lists January 15 as its application date, so international applicants should follow the international checklist and ask admissions to reconcile that date with the general first-year plans.

Catholic University awards bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees, alongside professional and ecclesiastical credentials. Its current program finder includes undergraduate majors and graduate offerings across architecture, artificial intelligence, economics, physics, engineering, performing arts, and other disciplines. Applicants should verify the exact award, delivery format, and school for any intended program because the university also lists minors and certificates, which are not equivalent to standalone degrees. Undergraduate education combines specialized study with a shared liberal-education experience informed by the Catholic intellectual tradition. Some fields have additional preparation or selection requirements. For example, first-year applicants interested in engineering, nursing, or physical sciences are advised to take additional mathematics and laboratory science, while some performing-arts applicants may need an audition. Research is a significant part of the academic environment. The university reports more than 40 centers, institutes, and specialized research facilities, with work drawing on resources in the Washington region. This can matter to students seeking faculty-led inquiry, laboratory experience, policy-related work, or preparation for graduate study. Academic and career advising are integrated through the Center for Academic and Career Success. International study is another option. University materials describe semester, full-year, summer, and spring-break opportunities in more than 25 countries, including courses at its Rome Center. Availability, credit approval, prerequisites, and additional program charges vary, so students should plan with their academic adviser and the education-abroad office before committing.

Key Highlights

• Private nonprofit university founded in Washington, D.C., in 1887
• Institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education
• Catholic mission is integrated into the university's educational identity
• Organized across 12 schools and colleges, plus a Theological College

Student Life & Environment

Student life reflects both a residential university and an explicitly Catholic campus. Residence Life organizes programs within university housing, while the Center for Student Engagement supports events, student organizations, belonging initiatives, and student representation. Formal representative bodies include undergraduate and graduate student associations. Campus Ministry and faith-based programming are prominent, but the university also provides general services related to health, counseling, disability support, wellness, safety, and academic and career development. Housing options for 2026–27 range from traditional singles, doubles, triples, and quads to suites and apartments, although not every room type is offered in every hall. Housing charges include internet, laundry, and cable connection. Residential first-year and sophomore undergraduates must select the Open Access dining plan; residential juniors may choose either Open Access or the Weekly 14 plan. These requirements should be included in budget comparisons rather than treating room and food as fully optional costs. The Edward J. Pryzbyla University Center functions as a central activity venue. Students can also participate in recreational programs and intercollegiate athletics. The university competes at NCAA Division III, making athletics available without positioning sports as the institution's primary identity. Prospective students who want a secular campus culture should examine the religious environment carefully, while those seeking structured community, worship, service, and faith-informed programming may find the setting aligned with their priorities.

Location & Surroundings

The main campus is at 620 Michigan Avenue NE in Washington, D.C. University admissions materials describe a 173-acre campus about three miles from the U.S. Capitol. This gives students a defined campus environment within a major city rather than a collection of buildings dispersed through downtown. Washington can extend learning beyond campus, particularly for students interested in government, public policy, international affairs, museums, research, healthcare, education, media, culture, and nonprofit work. The university emphasizes access to internships and professional connections across the metropolitan area. Its career materials identify opportunities at organizations such as the Library of Congress, Smithsonian Institution, National Institutes of Health, NASA Goddard, public schools, hospitals, nonprofits, and federal agencies, though placements are not guaranteed. The campus is accessible by Metro, which can reduce reliance on a car for commuting to central Washington. Students should still account for the cost of living in the region, transportation beyond the included or assessed transit arrangements, and the time required to travel between campus, internships, and other parts of the city.

Costs & Career Outcomes

For 2026–27, the university's undergraduate financial-aid budget lists base tuition of $60,500, a $1,774 fee allowance, $12,160 for housing, $8,780 for food, and allowances for books, transportation, personal expenses, and loan fees. The resulting estimated cost of attendance for a dependent student living on or off campus is $89,486 before financial aid. This is a planning budget rather than a guaranteed bill, and program, enrollment, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances can change the total. The detailed 2026–27 schedule charges most full-time undergraduate programs either $30,250 or $30,620 per semester. Listed housing rates range from $4,930 to $7,040 per semester, depending on room type, while dining plans range from $195 for a small community plan to $4,390 for Open Access. Residential class-year rules restrict which dining plans some students may choose. Full-time domestic undergraduates and all international students must carry the university's medical insurance unless they complete an eligible waiver by the deadline. Students should use the official aid offer and itemized bill rather than headline tuition alone. Scholarships and need-based assistance may materially reduce cost, but awards are individual and should not be assumed. Career support includes individual advising, résumé assistance, internship and job-search help, networking, career fairs, and the Cardinal Careers platform. The university reports that 71% of responding surveyed graduates had at least one internship during their studies; because this is based on survey respondents rather than every graduate, it should not be read as a guaranteed outcome. No verified salary or placement-rate claim is used here.