The Catholic University of America
Washington, United States • Founded 1887 • World Rank #1363
Overview
Founded in 1887, The Catholic University of America is a non-profit private higher education institution located in the urban setting of the large city of Washington (population range of 500,000-1,000,000 inhabitants), District of Columbia.
Officially accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, The Catholic University of America (CUA) is a small-sized coeducational US higher education institution formally affiliated with the Christian-Catholic religion. The Catholic University of America (CUA) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor's degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.
This 136-year-old US higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades. The acceptance rate range is 80-89% making this US higher education organization a least selective institution.
International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.
CUA also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Location pin, postal address, phone, email, website, and social profiles for The Catholic University of America. Always verify channels through the official domain to avoid third-party impersonators.
Academic Details
The Catholic University of America's institutional metrics — useful for sizing it against other shortlisted universities. The proportion of academic staff with doctorates correlates with research output and graduate-school admissions.
Academic Structures
The Catholic University of America's teaching units laid out by faculty and school. Deep hierarchies (faculty to school to department) versus flat structures affect administrative complexity for students.
Unit 8 items
- Metropolitan School of Professional Studies
- National Catholic School of Social Services
- School of Architecture and Planning
- School of Arts and Sciences
- School of Engineering
- School of Music
- School of Nursing
- School of Philosophy
Programs Offered
The Catholic University of America's teaching offering by degree level. Programmes archived in past intakes may still appear on search engines; the live list here is the current source of truth.
Bachelor's Degree
53 programmes
The Catholic University of America runs 53 programmes at bachelor's level — undergraduate programmes that usually span three to four years and serve as the standard entry route into a profession or further study.
Architecture Architecture
Area Studies Social & Cultural Studies
Communication and Media Studies Communication Studies
Computer and Information Sciences, General Computer Sciences
Computer Science Computer Sciences
Education, General Education & Teaching
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Education & Teaching
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Education & Teaching
Biomedical/Medical Engineering Bio & Biomedical Engineering
Civil Engineering Civil Engineering & Construction
Computer Engineering Electrical Engineering
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Mechanical Engineering
Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians General Engineering
Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
English Language and Literature, General English Language Studies
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Liberal Arts
Biology, General Biological Sciences
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology Biochemistry
Mathematics Mathematics
Applied Mathematics Mathematics
Medieval and Renaissance Studies Liberal Arts
Philosophy Philosophy & Ethics
Religion/Religious Studies Philosophy & Ethics
Chemistry Chemistry
Physics Physics & Astronomy
Materials Sciences Materials Science
Psychology, General Psychology
Social Work Social Work
Social Sciences, General Social & Cultural Studies
Anthropology Social & Cultural Studies
Archeology Social & Cultural Studies
Criminology Social & Cultural Studies
Economics Economics
Political Science and Government Politics & International Relations
Sociology Social & Cultural Studies
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Performing Arts
Fine and Studio Arts Visual Arts
Music Music
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions Biomedical & Laboratory Sciences
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Nursing
Business/Commerce, General Business Administration
Business Administration, Management and Operations Business Administration
Accounting and Related Services Accounting
Finance and Financial Management Services Finance, Banking & Insurance
Human Resources Management and Services Human Resource Management
International Business International Business
Management Information Systems and Services IT Management
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Operations Management
Marketing Advertising & Digital Marketing
History History
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Master's Degree
58 programmes
There are 58 programmes to choose from at The Catholic University of America for graduates, aimed at advanced expertise, a career change, or a stepping stone toward doctoral research.
Architecture Architecture
Computer and Information Sciences, General Computer Sciences
Information Science/Studies Information Systems & Technology
Computer Science Computer Sciences
Curriculum and Instruction Education & Teaching
Special Education and Teaching Special Education
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Education & Teaching
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Education & Teaching
Biomedical/Medical Engineering Bio & Biomedical Engineering
Civil Engineering Civil Engineering & Construction
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering Electrical Engineering
Materials Engineering General Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Mechanical Engineering
Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians General Engineering
Engineering-Related Fields General Engineering
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
Non-Professional Legal Studies Law
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies Law
English Language and Literature, General English Language Studies
Library Science and Administration Library Science
Biology, General Biological Sciences
Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences Molecular Biology
Biotechnology Biological Sciences
Mathematics Mathematics
Medieval and Renaissance Studies Liberal Arts
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other Liberal Arts
Philosophy Philosophy & Ethics
Bible/Biblical Studies Religious Studies
Religious Education Religious Studies
Theological and Ministerial Studies Religious Studies
Theology and Religious Vocations, Other Religious Studies
Chemistry Chemistry
Physics Physics & Astronomy
Materials Sciences Materials Science
Psychology, General Psychology
Research and Experimental Psychology Psychology
Fire Protection Emergency & Disaster Management
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other Criminal Law & Justice
Human Services, General Public Administration
Public Policy Analysis Public Administration
Social Work Social Work
Anthropology Social & Cultural Studies
Economics Economics
International Relations and National Security Studies Politics & International Relations
Political Science and Government Politics & International Relations
Sociology Social & Cultural Studies
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Performing Arts
Music Music
Public Health Public Health
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Nursing
Business/Commerce, General Business Administration
Business Administration, Management and Operations Business Administration
Accounting and Related Services Accounting
Human Resources Management and Services Human Resource Management
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Operations Management
History History
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Professional Doctorate
9 programmes
There are 9 programmes to choose from at The Catholic University of America for doctoral candidates. A PhD or equivalent typically takes three or more years of supervised, independent research.
Architecture Architecture
City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning Landscape Architecture
Architecture and Related Services, Other Architecture
Housing and Human Environments Family & Consumer Science
Law Law
Library Science and Administration Library Science
Social Work Social Work
Music Music
Business Administration, Management and Operations Business Administration
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Doctorate
32 programmes
There are 32 programmes to choose from at The Catholic University of America for doctoral candidates. A PhD or equivalent typically takes three or more years of supervised, independent research.
Computer Science Computer Sciences
Education, General Education & Teaching
Educational Administration and Supervision Educational Leadership
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Education & Teaching
Biomedical/Medical Engineering Bio & Biomedical Engineering
Civil Engineering Civil Engineering & Construction
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Mechanical Engineering
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
English Language and Literature, General English Language Studies
Biology, General Biological Sciences
Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences Molecular Biology
Medieval and Renaissance Studies Liberal Arts
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other Liberal Arts
Philosophy Philosophy & Ethics
Bible/Biblical Studies Religious Studies
Religious Education Religious Studies
Theological and Ministerial Studies Religious Studies
Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries Religious Studies
Theology and Religious Vocations, Other Religious Studies
Physics Physics & Astronomy
Psychology, General Psychology
Research and Experimental Psychology Psychology
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology Clinical Psychology
Social Work Social Work
Anthropology Social & Cultural Studies
Political Science and Government Politics & International Relations
Music Music
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Nursing
History History
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Associate, Certificate & Other Qualifications
19 programmes
The Catholic University of America lists 19 programmes outside the standard bachelor-to-doctorate ladder — vocational and pathway awards that often carry credit toward a later full degree.
Computer and Information Sciences, General Computer Sciences
Information Science/Studies Information Systems & Technology
Education, General Education & Teaching
Special Education and Teaching Special Education
Civil Engineering Civil Engineering & Construction
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
Library Science and Administration Library Science
Library Science and Administration Library Science
Medieval and Renaissance Studies Liberal Arts
Theological and Ministerial Studies Religious Studies
Materials Sciences Materials Science
Human Services, General Public Administration
Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians Mechanical Engineering
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians, Other Mechanical Engineering
Fine and Studio Arts Visual Arts
Music Music
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Nursing
Business Administration, Management and Operations Business Administration
Human Resources Management and Services Human Resource Management
No programmes match your filter in this level.
How to apply to The Catholic University of America
Practical steps to apply to The Catholic University of America, suitable as a starting checklist before contacting the admissions team directly.
- 1 Research programmes at The Catholic University of America
Use the programme finder to browse The Catholic University of America's 171 active programmes. Filter by keyword or scan by degree level. Read curriculum details on each programme's dedicated page if available.
- 2 Review admissions criteria
Programme-level requirements at The Catholic University of America typically include academic transcripts, language proficiency proof, identity documents, and a personal statement or interview. Confirm specific requirements with the admissions office.
- 3 Gather supporting documents
Prepare academic transcripts, ID/passport copies, language proficiency proof, a personal statement, and reference letters. International candidates may need apostilled or notarised translations — start early to avoid deadline pressure.
- 4 Lodge your application
The Catholic University of America processes applications through www.catholic.edu. Create an account, fill out the application form, and submit your documents. Note application deadlines, which vary by intake and programme.
- 5 Confirm receipt and track progress
Confirm receipt of your application with the admissions office and keep an eye on your portal for status changes. Reach the institution by phone at +1 (202) 319 5000. Quick responses to any follow-up requests keep your application moving smoothly through the review process.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Catholic University of America
Quick reference for The Catholic University of America: founding, control type, student body, rankings, and recognition status in one place.
In what year was The Catholic University of America established?
The Catholic University of America was founded in 1887 (approximately 139 years ago).
In which city is The Catholic University of America?
The Catholic University of America is based in Washington, United States.
What is The Catholic University of America's control type?
The Catholic University of America operates as a private institution.
How many students study at The Catholic University of America?
The Catholic University of America has approximately 5,000-5,999 students.
Where does The Catholic University of America stand in university rankings?
The Catholic University of America holds rank #1363 globally and #194 in United States.
Does The Catholic University of America have a religious affiliation?
The Catholic University of America is associated with Christian-Catholic.
How many faculties does The Catholic University of America have?
The institution comprises 8 academic units.
Who recognises The Catholic University of America?
The institution holds recognition from Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
What is The Catholic University of America's official website?
The institution's website is www.catholic.edu.
Top-Ranked Universities in the United States
Top universities in the United States typically offer the most generous institutional scholarships. The Catholic University of America's scholarship range relative to these benchmarks reflects funding capacity.
Members of International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU)
Universities sharing International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU) affiliation with The Catholic University of America offer comparable mobility and recognition benefits. Affiliated institutions often coordinate on academic standards and credit-transfer pathways.
Other American Universities Affiliated with Christian-Catholic
Universities sharing The Catholic University of America's Christian-Catholic affiliation are listed below — useful if faith context shapes your shortlist. Faith-context shortlisting overlaps with but is distinct from academic shortlisting.
Faculties at Nearby Universities
Looking at higher education options close to The Catholic University of America? These nearby campuses share similar academic structures and may suit students prioritising proximity to home or family. Regional ties also affect access to internships and local employer networks.
Where Else to Study Linguistics & Language Studies
Programme-led research opportunities for Linguistics & Language Studies students differ. Research-active programmes give undergraduates access to active labs; teaching-only programmes do not.
Universities Often Compared with The Catholic University of America
Universities at a similar tier to The Catholic University of America appear below, useful for cross-comparison on academic credentials. Comparable institutions often share faculty mobility patterns and external recognition signals.
