Grace Thompson
The Catholic University of America (CUA) is a private Catholic research university in Washington, D.C., United States. It is one of two pontifical universities of the Catholic Church in the country and the only one that is not primarily a seminary. It was established in 1887 as a graduate and research centre following approval by Pope Leo XIII. On the other hand, American University (AU) is a private federally chartered research university in Washington, D.C., United States. It was founded by the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church as a national Methodist institution and remains affiliated with the United Methodist Church.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | The Catholic University of America (CUA) |
| Type of University | Catholic research university |
| Location | Washington, D.C. |
| Campus Size | 173 acres |
| Library System | More than 1.3 million books and print volumes |
| Faculty | 98% of full-time faculty have doctoral or terminal degrees |
| Pope Visits | Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis |
| AAUP Censure | Yes, as of May 2025 |
| Name | American University (AU) |
| Type of University | Private federally chartered research university |
| Religious Affiliation | Affiliated with the United Methodist Church |
| Location | Washington, D.C. |
| Campus Size | 90 acres |
| Library | The Jack I. and Dorothy G. Bender Library, with over 1 million books |
| Student Media Organizations | 8, including The Eagle newspaper and radio station WVAU |
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What You'll Learn
- American University is Methodist-affiliated
- Catholic University of America is one of two pontifical universities in the US
- Catholic University of America has been visited by three popes
- Religious affiliation is not a criterion for admission to American University
- Catholic University of America has a $2 million endowment from the Knights
American University is Methodist-affiliated
American University (AU) is a Methodist-affiliated institution. It was chartered by an Act of Congress in 1893 at the urging of Methodist Bishop John Fletcher Hurst, who wanted to create an institution that promoted public service, internationalism, and pragmatic idealism. The university was founded by the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church as a national Methodist institution. It remains affiliated with the United Methodist Church, an affiliation reaffirmed by the University Senate of the United Methodist Church in 2014.
AU is a private federally chartered research university located in Washington, D.C. Its main campus spans 90 acres (36 hectares) on Ward Circle, in the Spring Valley and Tenleytown neighborhoods of Northwest D.C. The university was established in response to George Washington's call to create a national university in the nation's capital. AU is led by its 16th president, Jonathan Alger, and governed by a Board of Trustees and senior university administrators.
AU has a strong focus on research and offers over 160 academic programs, including 71 bachelor's degrees, 87 master's degrees, and 10 doctoral degrees, as well as JD, LLM, and SJD programs. The university consists of eight schools and colleges, including the School of International Service, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the School of Public Affairs. AU is also home to The Jack I. and Dorothy G. Bender Library, which is part of the Washington Research Library Consortium and holds more than one million books.
While AU is affiliated with the United Methodist Church, it hosts a variety of other religious life groups, including Catholic, Chabad Lubavitch of the AU Community, American University Hillel, and the Jewish Student Association. Religious affiliation is not a criterion for admission or an academic requirement. The university has a diverse student body of over 13,000, representing all 50 U.S. states and 141 countries, with nearly a fifth of the students being international.
It is important to distinguish American University (AU) from The Catholic University of America (CUA). CUA is a private Catholic research university in Washington, D.C., founded in 1887 by Pope Leo XIII. It is one of two pontifical universities of the Catholic Church in the United States and has been visited by three popes, including Pope Francis in 2015. CUA has a significant Catholic presence on campus, with 59% of its full-time faculty identifying as Catholic.
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Catholic University of America is one of two pontifical universities in the US
The Catholic University of America (CUA) is a private Catholic research university in Washington, D.C. It is one of two pontifical universities of the Catholic Church in the United States. It is the only institution of higher education founded by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The Catholic University of America is also America's pontifical university for primarily lay students, overseen by several cardinals and bishops.
The university was established in 1887 as a graduate and research centre following approval by Pope Leo XIII, who granted permission to establish the university in a letter to James Cardinal Gibbons. The pope issued the encyclical Magni Nobis in 1889, granting the university its charter and mission as the instruction of Catholicism and human nature at the graduate level. The university began offering undergraduate education in 1904.
The Catholic University of America has a strong connection with the Catholic Church and Catholic organizations. The university's curriculum emphasizes the liberal arts, professional education, and personal development, with a focus on Catholic theology and philosophy. The Busch School of Business has earned a reputation for integrating Catholic and business principles. The university library system houses more than 1.3 million books and provides access to thousands of electronic journals and rare books.
The Catholic University of America is the only American university to have been visited by three popes: Pope John Paul II in 1979, Pope Benedict XVI in 2008, and Pope Francis in 2015. The university has also received significant financial support from the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal organization, for various projects and scholarships.
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Catholic University of America has been visited by three popes
The Catholic University of America (CUA) is a private Catholic research university in Washington, D.C. It is one of two pontifical universities of the Catholic Church in the United States and the only institution of higher education founded by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
CUA has a rich history of papal visits and is the only American university to have been visited by three popes. The first pope to visit the United States was Pope Paul VI, who arrived in 1965 during a time of rising Cold War tensions and a vote set for the United Nations to include China as a member.
The first pope to visit CUA was Pope John Paul II, who visited on October 7, 1979. He is known for making five official visits to the United States and focusing on visiting his followers where they lived, especially the youth.
On April 16, 2008, Pope Benedict XVI gave an address at CUA about Catholic education and academic freedom. He also addressed growing concerns in the U.S. about sexual abuse by priests.
Pope Francis visited CUA on September 23, 2015, during his trip to the United States. He celebrated Mass on the east portico of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
The University's location in Washington, D.C., its direct connection to the Vatican, and the cultural diversity of the Church in DC are all important factors in its selection as a site for papal visits.
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Religious affiliation is not a criterion for admission to American University
American University (AU) is a private federally chartered research university in Washington, D.C. It was established in 1893 by an Act of Congress, at the urging of Methodist Bishop John Fletcher Hurst, who sought to create an institution that promoted public service, internationalism, and pragmatic idealism. The university was founded by the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church as a national Methodist institution and remains affiliated with the United Methodist Church.
Despite its Methodist affiliation, religious affiliation is not a criterion for admission to American University. The university welcomes students from all religious backgrounds and has a variety of religious life groups on campus, including Catholic, Chabad Lubavitch of the AU Community, American University Hillel, and the Jewish Student Association.
AU is a student-centered research institution with highly ranked schools and colleges, internationally renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. The university offers over 160 academic programs, including 71 bachelor's degrees, 87 master's degrees, and 10 doctoral degrees, as well as JD, LLM, and SJD programs. With a student body of over 13,000, representing all 50 U.S. states and 141 countries, AU is one of the most diverse universities in the nation.
The Catholic University of America (CUA), on the other hand, is a private Catholic research university in Washington, D.C. It is one of two pontifical universities of the Catholic Church in the United States and the only institution of higher education founded by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. CUA was established in 1887 as a graduate and research center and began offering undergraduate education in 1904. The university is known for its strong Catholic identity and has a dedicated team of pastoral staff and full-time campus ministers to support the spiritual needs of its students.
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Catholic University of America has a $2 million endowment from the Knights
The Catholic University of America (CUA) is a private Catholic research university in Washington, D.C. It is one of two pontifical universities of the Catholic Church in the United States and the only one that is not primarily a seminary. CUA was established in 1887 as a graduate and research centre following approval by Pope Leo XIII and began offering undergraduate education in 1904. The university has a long history of working with the Knights of Columbus, with its law school dedicated to the involvement and support of the Knights.
In 1989, the Knights voted to give a $2 million birthday gift to the U.S. bishops on their bicentennial, to be given to the Catholic University and used to fund special projects chosen jointly by the university and the Knights. Part of the endowment was used to build the Columbus School of Law. The Knights have a long history of supporting the Catholic University of America. In 1913, a $500,000 endowment was established, and in 1920, the order contributed $60,000 toward the Catholic University gymnasium and drill hall, which later became the Crough Building, housing the School of Architecture. In 2006, the Knights gave an $8 million gift to the university to renovate and rename Keane Hall as McGivney Hall, after the Knights' founder, Michael J. McGivney.
The Catholic University of America has a strong academic reputation, with 98% of full-time faculty holding doctoral or terminal degrees and 68% teaching undergraduates. It is also home to several special libraries and collections, including the Oliveira Lima Library, which houses one of the largest collections of rare books on Portuguese-Brazilian history and literature outside of Brazil. However, in recent years, the university has faced financial challenges, with declining enrolment and a $30 million structural deficit. To address these issues, the university has implemented budget cuts and is exploring revenue growth opportunities, particularly in graduate studies.
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Frequently asked questions
No, American University is a Methodist-affiliated institution. It was chartered by Congress in 1893 and founded by the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church as a national Methodist institution. However, it has a variety of religious life groups, including Catholic, Chabad Lubavitch of the AU Community, American University Hillel, and the Jewish Student Association.
Religious affiliation is neither a criterion for admission nor an academic requirement.
The Catholic University of America (CUA) is a private Catholic research university in Washington, D.C. It is one of two pontifical universities of the Catholic Church in the United States and the only one that is not primarily a seminary.
Of the full-time faculty at Catholic University, 59% are Catholic.
While both universities are located in Washington, D.C., and have a variety of religious student groups, American University is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and Catholic University is a Catholic institution.
