
The Catholic University of America (CUA) is a private Catholic research university in Washington, D.C. It is one of two pontifical universities in the United States and the only one that is not primarily a seminary. CUA was established in 1887 and began offering undergraduate education in 1904. The university is classified as R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity and has a campus of 176 acres, making it the largest in Washington, D.C. CUA sponsors 25 varsity athletic programs and is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of institution | Private Catholic research university |
| Location | Washington, D.C. |
| Year founded | 1887 |
| Campus size | 173 acres or 176 acres |
| Number of schools | 12 |
| Number of academic programs | More than 130 |
| Number of varsity programs | 25 |
| Student-faculty ratio | 10:1 |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 3,139 |
| Tuition fees | $58,378 |
| Graduation rate | 75% |
| Median salary for graduates | $63,217 |
| Division | III |
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What You'll Learn

The Catholic University of America is a Division III athletic institution
The Catholic University of America (CUA) is a private Catholic research university in Washington, D.C. It is one of two pontifical universities in the United States, and the only one that is not primarily a seminary. The CUA is also the only institution of higher education founded by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
The Busch School of Business at CUA has a significant proportion of students participating in Division III athletics, with more than one-third of all students involved in these sports programs. The university attracts student-athletes who value the opportunity to compete in their chosen sports while pursuing their academic goals.
The Catholic University of America's campus spans 176 acres, making it the largest campus in Washington, D.C. The university offers a range of academic programs, with a focus on liberal arts, professional education, and personal development. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of approximately 3,100 students, and its student-faculty ratio is 10:1.
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It is a private Catholic research university in Washington, D.C
The Catholic University of America (CUA) is a private Catholic research university in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1887, it is one of two pontifical universities in the United States that is not primarily a seminary. It is also the only institution of higher education founded by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The university is closely connected to the Catholic Church and Catholic organizations, with 70% of its students and 80% of its faculty being Catholic. The curriculum emphasizes the liberal arts, professional education, and personal development, and includes several Catholic theology and philosophy courses.
CUA's campus is located in the Brookland neighborhood, also known as "Little Rome," which is home to 60 Catholic institutions. The campus spans 173 to 176 acres, making it the largest in Washington, D.C. The university offers a residential experience for its over 3,000 undergraduate and 2,400 graduate students, with a student-faculty ratio of 10:1.
As a research university, CUA offers a wide range of academic programs. It has 12 schools, over 70 undergraduate programs, and 32 research centers and facilities. The university is classified as "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity" in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
In addition to its academic offerings, CUA also sponsors 25 varsity athletic programs and is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III. The university provides a unique educational experience, combining faith and reason, and prides itself on its values of acceptance and service.
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The university offers a liberal arts core curriculum
The Catholic University of America (CUA) is a private Catholic research university in Washington, D.C. It is one of two pontifical universities in the United States and the only one that is not primarily a seminary. The university was established in 1887 and began offering undergraduate education in 1904. CUA's programs emphasize the liberal arts, professional education, and personal development, and the university stays closely connected with the Catholic Church and Catholic organizations.
The liberal arts core curriculum includes two Catholic theology and two philosophy courses. Catholics comprise about 70% of the students and about 80% of the faculty. The university has a long history of working with the Knights of Columbus, and its law school has dedications to the involvement and support of the Knights.
In addition to its strong liberal arts focus, CUA also offers a wide range of academic programs. The university has 12 schools, over 70 undergraduate programs, and 32 research centers and facilities. The schools include business, canon law, nursing, philosophy, and theology, among others. The campus is located on 176 acres of land, making it the largest campus in Washington, D.C. The student-faculty ratio is 10:1, and the university utilizes a semester-based academic calendar.
CUA is also home to a thriving athletic community. The university sponsors 25 varsity programs and is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III. The Cardinals compete in the Landmark Conference, with the exception of a few sports that are members of other conferences. The Busch School of Business, in particular, has a strong athletic presence, with more than one-third of its students participating in Division III athletics.
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It is ranked #171 in National Universities in the US
The Catholic University of America (CUA) is a private Catholic research university located in Washington, D.C. It was founded in 1887 by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and is the only national Catholic university in the United States. CUA is ranked #171 out of 436 National Universities in the US for the 2025 edition of Best Colleges. This ranking is based on performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence.
CUA has consistently ranked among the top Catholic universities in the country and offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines. The university has a total enrollment of 6,000+ students, including 3,139 undergraduate students (as of Fall 2023). The student-faculty ratio is 10:1, and the university has a semester-based academic calendar.
CUA's campus spans 176 acres, making it the largest and greenest campus in Washington, D.C. The campus is adjacent to the Brookland neighborhood, known as "Little Rome," which is home to several other Catholic institutions. CUA's location in the nation's capital provides students with access to internships and research opportunities with government agencies, think tanks, and international organizations.
The university emphasizes academic excellence and rigorous academics, with a strong academic reputation and a dedicated faculty that includes some of the world's leading scholars in their respective fields. CUA offers a unique educational experience that combines liberal arts, professional education, and personal development within a vibrant Catholic community.
In addition to its strong academics, CUA also offers a well-rounded campus life with various athletic opportunities. The university's athletic teams, known as the Cardinals, compete in the NCAA Division III Landmark Conference and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference for football.
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The Catholic University of America was founded in 1887
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. It is also the only institution of higher education founded by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
The university was incorporated in 1887 on 66 acres of land next to the Old Soldiers Home. President Grover Cleveland was in attendance for the laying of the cornerstone of Divinity Hall, now known as Caldwell Hall, on 24 May 1888, as were members of Congress and the U.S. Cabinet. The university first opened its doors on 13 November 1889, with a curriculum consisting of lectures in mental and moral philosophy, English literature, sacred scriptures, and theology. At the end of the second term, lectures on canon law were added. The first students graduated in 1889.
By 1900, CUA was one of 14 colleges that offered doctorate programmes, forming the Association of American Universities. In 1904, the university added an undergraduate programme. Today, CUA's campus spans 173 acres, making it the largest and greenest campus in Washington, D.C. The university continues to maintain its unique status as the bishop's university and is committed to being a comprehensive, Catholic, and American institution of higher learning.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Catholic University of America is a Division III athletic institution.
The student-faculty ratio at Catholic University of America is 10:1.
Catholic University of America's campus size is 176 acres, making it the largest campus in Washington, D.C.
The tuition and fees for Catholic University of America are $58,378. 62% of first-year students receive need-based financial aid, and the average net price for federal loan recipients is $33,417.











































