The Catholic University of America is a private nonprofit 4-year college in Washington, District of Columbia with 3,154 undergraduates. It admits 83% of applicants, costs an average of $32,543 a year after grants and graduates 76% of its students.
Figures from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, released October 15, 2026. What each number covers.
The Catholic University of America acceptance rate and admissions
The Catholic University of America admitted 83% of applicants for fall 2024. The median acceptance rate at 4-year colleges is 77%.
Test scores: Neither required nor recommended (as reported for fall 2024 admission). That means you can apply without SAT or ACT scores. Check the admissions office for the current policy.
The Catholic University of America application deadlines 2026-27
| Round | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Early decision | Nov 1, 2026 (passed) |
| Early decision II | Feb 1, 2027 |
| Early action | Nov 1, 2026 (passed) |
| Regular decision | Feb 1, 2027 |
Next deadline: Early decision II, Feb 1, 2027. Application fee through the Common App: free for U.S. applicants. Confirm dates on The Catholic University of America’s admissions page; see every college on the deadline calendar.
Source: Common App 2026-27 first-year deadlines, fees and requirements grid, updated Sep 25, 2026.
The Catholic University of America tuition, cost and net price
| Tuition and fees (2025-26) | $60,414 |
|---|---|
| On-campus housing and food (2025-26) | $19,030 |
| Total cost of attendance (2024-25) | $77,564 |
| Average net price after grants (2024-25) | $32,543 |
Students who get federal aid pay an average of $32,543 a year after grants and scholarships, $45,021 less than the full cost of attendance.
What families pay, by income
Average yearly cost after grants for aided first-time students, by family income (2024-25):
Your own price depends on your family's full situation. Run The Catholic University of America's net price calculator for a personal estimate, or make a "what it costs us" card.
The Catholic University of America graduation rate, earnings and debt
- 76% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years (students who started in 2019).
- Former students earned a median of $81,308 a year, 10 years after they started (students who received federal aid and were working).
- Students who completed left with a median of $25,469 in federal student loans.
Earnings compared
Debt compared
Median debt is 31% of median earnings 10 years after entry. Many advisers suggest keeping total student debt below one year of expected pay. See the monthly payment.
The Catholic University of America majors and what graduates earn
The Catholic University of America awarded bachelor's degrees in 44 fields recently. The best-paid graduates four years out came from accounting ($114,909).
All 44 majors at The Catholic University of America
| Major | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting | 10 | $73,095 | $114,909 | n/a |
| Nursing | 79 | $87,466 | $96,949 | $26,755 |
| Civil engineering | 12 | $76,799 | $93,821 | n/a |
| Economics | 6 | $67,423 | $91,962 | n/a |
| Mechanical engineering | 15 | $74,262 | $90,355 | $27,000 |
| Business administration | 126 | $70,441 | $87,907 | $25,000 |
| Marketing | 0 | $70,046 | $85,029 | n/a |
| Biomedical engineering | 12 | n/a | $81,519 | n/a |
| Political science | 30 | $49,259 | $73,917 | $23,250 |
| Communication | 15 | $59,810 | $73,073 | $26,000 |
| Architecture | 42 | n/a | $69,838 | n/a |
| Social work | 5 | n/a | $65,185 | n/a |
| History | 22 | n/a | $52,980 | $24,949 |
| Psychology | 64 | $49,511 | $52,846 | $25,804 |
| Religious studies | 15 | n/a | $52,638 | n/a |
| Philosophy | 20 | n/a | $49,378 | $23,000 |
| Music | 27 | $27,163 | $46,123 | $27,000 |
| Business analytics and operations research | 18 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Computer science | 15 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Biology | 14 | $44,532 | n/a | n/a |
| Criminology | 13 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Sociology | 10 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Fine and studio arts | 10 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Teacher education by grade level | 9 | $44,154 | n/a | n/a |
| English | 7 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Theater | 7 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Chemistry | 6 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Mathematics | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Electrical engineering | 4 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Education | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Romance languages | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Liberal arts and general studies | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Biochemistry and molecular biology | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Business | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Anthropology | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Area Studies | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Teacher education by subject | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Computer engineering | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Physics | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Applied mathematics | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Archeology | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Four-year earnings: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Fields with few graduates have no published earnings.
Graduate programs at The Catholic University of America
64 graduate programs awarded degrees recently. Largest first.
Show 64 graduate programs
Trade and career programs at The Catholic University of America
Certificate and associate programs in the trades we track. One-year earnings are for graduates of 2020-21 and 2021-22, four-year earnings for graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, both in 2024 dollars.
| Program | Credential | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paralegal | Associate degree | 4 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Paralegal | Certificate | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Students and location
- 3,154 degree-seeking undergraduates (fall 2024)
- 54% women, 46% men
- 11 students for every faculty member
- Setting: large city
- Accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Frequently asked questions
What is the acceptance rate at The Catholic University of America?
The Catholic University of America admitted 83% of applicants for fall 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
How much does The Catholic University of America cost?
Tuition and fees for 2025-26 are $60,414. After grants and scholarships, aided students paid an average net price of $32,543 a year in 2024-25.
Is The Catholic University of America test-optional?
For fall 2024 admission, The Catholic University of America reported that test scores were: neither required nor recommended. Policies change, so confirm with the admissions office.
What is the graduation rate at The Catholic University of America?
76% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years.
How much do The Catholic University of America graduates make?
Former students who received federal aid earned a median of $81,308 a year 10 years after they started, in 2024 dollars.
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More: all colleges in District of Columbia · colleges in Washington · The Catholic University of America on the College Scorecard
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, data release of October 15, 2026. What each figure means and the year it covers.