Founded by the US bishops, Catholic University of America was established in 1887 as a papally chartered graduate and research center. It started offering undergraduate programs in 1904. It is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Admissions at Catholic University of America are offered in Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral levels of study. The acceptance rate of the university is 84%. The Catholic University of America has a total enrollment of 2,311 students, out of which 3,055 are undergraduate students and 2,311 are graduate students. It attracts a lot of international students to study in the USA. CUA has a total of 8.5% international students.
The university offers 150 undergraduate, graduate, and Ph.D. programs through 12 schools of Architecture and Planning, Arts and Sciences, Business, Canon Law, Engineering, Law, Music, Drama, and Art, Nursing, Philosophy, Professional Studies, Social Work, and Theology and Religious Studies.
The university offers scholarships for international students to study in the USA. 91% of full-time, degree-seeking undergraduates receive some form of financial aid. The US News and World Report listed CUA among the list of Best Value Colleges, Best Colleges for Veterans, and Top Performers on Social Mobility.
It assists its students with placement services to avail job opportunities in the USA. According to payscale, salaries for Catholic University of America graduates stood at USD 74,728.
The Catholic University of America Rankings
The university is one of the most renowned universities in the USA. A snapshot of 2021 rankings of the university is given below:
| Rankings | Agency |
|---|
| #333 World University Ranking | QS Top Universities |
| #191-200 US University Ranking | QS Top Universities |
| #143 National Universities Ranking | US News and World Report |
| #68 in Best Value School | US News and World Report |
| #373 in Top Performers on Social Mobility | US News and World Report |
| #142 US College Rank | Times Higher Education |
| #153 Rank among Top Private Universities in the USA | Niche |
| #236 Rank among Best Colleges in the USA | Niche |
| #260 National Rank | CWUR |
| #1213 World Rank | CWUR |
| #251 Country Rank | UNI Rank |
| #680 World Rank | UNI Rank |
Highlights
| University Type | Private |
| Campus Setting | Urban |
| Intake Seasons | Spring, Summer and Fall |
| Retention Rate | 88% |
| Campus Housing | Available |
| Financial Aid | Available for international students |
| Work-Study Programme | Available |
| Mode of Programme | Full-time, Part-time and Online |
| English Proficiency tests accepted | IELTS, TOEFL and Duolingo |
| International Admission Helpdesk | 202-319-5618
CUA-ISSS@cua.edu |
| Official Website | cua.edu |
Catholic University of America Campus
- Catholic University is located in the heart of Washington, D.C., a city of politics, theater, concerts, monuments, and trendy neighborhoods.
- The university campus is the biggest and most beautiful campus in D.C., the best city for research and internships.
- Students can choose from 100+ clubs/organizations that fit their interests or can create their own.
- A number of student activities take place on campus round the year such as Big Win Bingo, Cardinal Trivia, etc.
- The campus of Catholic University of America offers club sports, intramural sports, and Esports.
- Cardinal Adventures are group indoor/outdoor excursions such as kayaking, skiing, etc.
- The fitness, wellness and recreation programme is designed to help develop healthy lifestyles.
- Students services on campus include health and counseling, cultural engagement center, academic and career center and disability-support.
Catholic University of America Residence
- On-campus housing offers 16 residence halls and suites/apartments.
- Freshmen live in single-sex residence halls which have programmes directed toward students’ growth.
- Graduate, law, and non-traditional students are assigned to single or double rooms with their peers.
- Amenities include communal kitchens, common lounge spaces with cable television, and laundry rooms.
- Students can opt for the spring or summer-only and transition housing.
- Upperclass housing is for students other than freshmen.
- Housing Services guide students in finding decent off-campus housing.
- The Off-campus Housing Fair held by the university aids in finding off-campus housing like temporary and religiously affiliated housing options.
Catholic University of America Programs
- CUA’s 12 schools offer more than 100 disciplines.
- Various programs offered at the Catholic University of America include undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, pre-college, adult and online degrees.
- The university offers 70 undergraduate programmes. All undergraduates participate in the First-Year Experience program.
- Undergraduate students can also choose from 60+ minors/certificate courses.
- Bachelor’s degrees pursuant can opt for study abroad/honours/research programs.
- Catholic University of America offers 150+ graduate programs and 29 research facilities.
- The adult professional programmes include a combination of on-campus 14-week semester and 7-week accelerated classes.
- The Catholic University has launched the Tucson (B.A.-Management) program.
- The institute also offers online, pre-college and summer programs.
Catholic University of America Application Process
8.5% students at the university are global citizens representing 70+ countries. Admissions at Catholic University of America require the following:
- Application Portal: Common App/Cardinal Admission
- Deadlines:
- Undergraduate Applications: Early Action- November 1; Regular Decision- January 15
- Graduate Applications: Summer- May 8; Fall- July 15
- Supporting Documents
- Completed application
- Additional documents for specific programmes
- Confirmation of financial support
- English language proficiency test scores
- ZeeMee Profile (Optional)
- SAT/ACT test scores (Optional)
- Teacher Recommendation
- Certified English translations
- Counselor letter
- Official highschool/college/university transcripts/reports
- Essay
- The acceptance rate of CUA is 85%.
- The retention rate is 88%, while the overall graduation rate at CUA is 72%.
Catholic University of America Cost of Attendance
- It is necessary to have an estimate of expenses while studying in the US if you are an international student.
- The basic Costs of Attendance for students are:
| Types of Cost | UG Cost (in USD) | PG Cost (in USD) |
|---|
| Tuition | 48,600 | 49,680 |
| Activity fee | 816 | 660 |
| Room and board | 15,820 | 13,950 |
| Direct costs | 65,236 | 64,290 |
| Off-campus room | 15,820 | N/A |
| Books | 1,000 | 700 |
| Personal allowance | 2,250 | 4,572 |
| Transportation | 900 | 2,296 |
| Estimated loan fees | 1,206 | 1,116 |
| Indirect costs | 5,356 | 8,684 |
| Total | 70,592 | 72,974 |
- Tuition for engineering and architecture students is 49,220 USD for undergraduate and 50,260 USD for graduate students.
- Indirect costs for students living off-campus is 21,176 USD.
- New Students are charged a one-time fee of 440 USD.
- Students also need to purchase Health Insurance.
Catholic University of America Financial Aid
- Catholic University of America students are offered financial aid through scholarships, grants, federal/commercial loans and work-study programmes.
- International undergraduate students are not eligible for federal financial aid/loans.
- International graduate students are eligible for institutional scholarships to fund studying in the US.
- The Catholic University offers over 10 individual and 60+ donor scholarships.
- Only undergraduate students are eligible for Admission scholarships.
- University scholarships require students to maintain full-time enrollment and registration within the add/drop period each semester.
- Archdiocesan Scholarships are the university’s most prestigious awards.
- They are full-time, four-year scholarships.
- Eligibility criteria for the same includes top-of-class highschool students with a minimum 3.8 unweighted GPA.
- Finalists participate in an interview with university faculty.
- Other scholarships include The Catholic University Scholarship, Parish Scholarship, Legacy Grant and School and Departmental Scholarships.
- International citizens can avail private commercial educational loans from private lenders.
Catholic University of America Alumni Network
Notable alumni of the institution include:
- Tom Harkin- Former United States Senator
- Susan Sarandon- Actress
- Julie Nixon Eisenhower- Author
- Kathy Hochul- Lieutenant Governor of New York
Catholic University of America Placements
- The Handshake programme brings promising job/internship opportunities.
- The Center for Academic and Career Success helps students succeed in their studies and careers.
- It helps students in making resumes, employer letters, networking and interviews. It hosts career fairs, events and workshops as well.
- Tools like the MBTI and O*NET Online is used to aid students in major/career exploration and analysis.
- Information based on 559 graduates show 92% are employed/attend graduate school/are committed to internships, lifelong service or religious life.
- Precisely, 66% are employed and 16% attend graduate school.
- 67% of 133 respondents earn 50,000 USD or more, while 2.3% earn 90,000 USD and more.
- Catholic University students are employed by industry giants such as KPMG, The Walt Disney Company, IBM, Federal Bureau of Investigation, etc.
