Top 10 Catholic Colleges

Catholic colleges and universities are popular because of their emphasis on scholarly excellence, service to others, and competitive athletic teams. If you would like to learn more about the top Catholic colleges in the United States, you are in the right place!

First…do I have to be Catholic to attend a Catholic college? 

Catholic colleges usually welcome individuals from any faith to attend their institutions. In fact, 47% of students at Catholic colleges and universities are not Catholic. It is important to note that some Catholic schools may require students to attend mass or religious classes as a part of their curriculum. If you are concerned about the faith-based aspect of attending a Catholic college, be sure to do your research on your intended institution before applying. 

How were these specific colleges selected? 

The colleges on this list (excluding Catholic U) were selected using our Scholarships360 top colleges for students in 2024 list. This list was compiled using the graduate income, net price, student debt, and completion rates sourced from College Scorecard in order to determine how well the college performs for its students. Here is a deeper dive into each criteria used to compile this list: 

• Graduate Income
  • Graduate income is the amount of money graduates from this college make after graduation. Income is a great way to gauge whether a school provides its students with strong opportunities and skills that transfer into employment. However, there are some limitations with this criteria as choice of major, rather than the college itself, is typically more predictive of future income. 
• Net price
  • The net price is the average amount a student will have to pay after financial aid and loans are factored in. This criteria determines how much a student will truly have to pay each year for college. 
• Student debt
  • Understanding the average student debt of a college can help future students understand how much financial aid they will get from a particular college. Additionally, it is so important to consider price when considering a college to attend as finances are typically the biggest constraint and limitation when it comes to college. 
• Completion rates 
  • One of the best ways to determine if students are happy at a college is through completion rates. This details the percentage of students who finish their degree at the college and thus details the percentage of students who are satisfied with their college experience. 

How is this list organized?  

Because every Catholic college/university has its own unique advantages and disadvantages, this list is alphabetical and not put in any particular order. Location, enrollment numbers, and acceptance rates are included, as well as a brief description of what makes these colleges unique. We tried to select a range of colleges in regard to location and acceptance rates. Let’s get started! 

Top 10 Catholic Colleges

Boston College

• Location: Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
• Undergraduate Enrollment: 9,751
• Acceptance rate: 17%

Boston College was founded in 1863 by the order of priests called the Jesuits, and their Jesuit values still hold true today. The school strives to provide an education that  integrates intellectual pursuit with religion. Boston College has several opportunities on campus for students to be involved in the Jesuit community. This includes daily masses and taking part in Agape Latte,  a faith storytelling series (started at Boston College) that is active in over 50 Catholic colleges nationwide.  

Catholic University of America

• Location: Washington, DC
• Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,891
• Acceptance rate: 86%

The Catholic University of America is a national research university located in the heart of Washington DC. True to its namesake, Catholic University emphasizes core Catholic values. Faith and service are at the heart of their mission; they prove this by offering daily mass on campus, hosting Catholic retreats, and promoting student involvement through local community service. 

College of the Holy Cross

• Location: Worcester. Massachusetts
• Undergraduate Enrollment: 3,062
• Acceptance rate: 36%

The College of the Holy Cross has embraced its Jesuit traditions since it was founded in 1843. In upholding Jesuit values, Holy Cross strives to educate the whole person in relation to their intellectual, social, and spiritual selves. Through a rigorous liberal arts education, students are encouraged to explore their interests and immerse themselves in their chosen paths. 

Fairfield University

• Location: Fairfield, Connecticut
• Undergraduate Enrollment: 4,706
• Acceptance rate: 52%

Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1942, Fairfield University is proud to be a Jesuit Catholic University. This is demonstrated by the way the Catholic faith is woven throughout Fairfield’s varied curriculum. Fairfield states that they “attend to the whole self–body, mind, and spirit” through intellectual studies and opportunities for students to practice the Catholic faith and upholding Jesuit traditions. 

Georgetown University

• Location: Washington, DC
• Undergraduate Enrollment: 7,343
• Acceptance rate: 12%

Founded in 1789, Georgetown is the oldest and perhaps most well-known Jesuit institute of higher education in the country. Georgetown embraces the Jesuit mission of “seeking God in all things.” The culture and curriculum of Georgetown strives to do that by emphasizing service to others, especially those most in need. Academically, Georgetown is consistently ranked in the top thirty national universities, as well as being known around the world for their foreign relations/ public policy programs. 

Also see: How many colleges should I apply to?

Manhattan College

• Location: Riverdale, New York
• Undergraduate Enrollment: 3,066
• Acceptance rate: 82%

Manhattan College is a Lasallian Catholic institution founded in 1853 by the Brothers of the Christian Schools. Even today, Manhattan College emphasizes the Lasallian mission through the five core Lasallian principles; faith in the presence of God, respect for all people, quality education, inclusive community and concern for the poor and social justice. Manhattan College is known for its strong academic programs especially in the engineering field. 

Manhattan College student experience

I’m about to enter my junior year at Manhattan College, and I’ve learned a lot about how they incorporate Lasallian values into our everyday learning. I was first introduced to Lasallian values during my orientation, where there was a presentation on what it meant. Manhattan College requires students to take three religion courses at some point during their four years, where they reinforce these core values. In addition, there are plenty of immersive religious clubs to join, including Catholic, Muslim, and Jewish clubs. Everyone is welcome at Manhattan College, regardless of your faith. A popular club is the L.O.V.E. Program, which frequently has retreats with the goal of spreading Lasallian values. Even though Manhattan College is a small private Catholic college, they give out generous merit scholarships that have helped make college affordable for students like me.

Carrie Gilmore | Student, Manhattan College

Santa Clara University

• Location: Santa Clara, California 
• Undergraduate Enrollment: 6,103
• Acceptance rate: 52%

Santa Clara University is rooted in their Roman Catholic Faith and Jesuit tradition. There are many opportunities on campus for students to connect with their Catholic faith including liturgy, reconciliation, sacramental formation, student religious clubs, immersion programs and much more. Santa Clara University emphasizes that no matter your religion or spiritual affiliation, there will be something for you at Santa Clara! 

Related: Top Catholic scholarships

University of Notre Dame

• Location: Notre Dame, Indiana
• Undergraduate Enrollment: 8,917
• Acceptance rate: 13%

Founded by the Congregation of the Holy Cross in 1842, the University of Notre Dame is one of the most well-known teaching universities in the United States (not to mention their football team!). Notre Dame was founded by Rev. Edward F. Sorin, who envisioned a Catholic university “dedicated to religious belief no less than to scientific knowledge.” This vision is a reality, as Notre Dame is one of the leading research universities in the world, especially in regard to STEM fields. 

University of Portland

• Location: Portland, Oregon
• Undergraduate Enrollment: 3,368
• Acceptance rate: 93%

The University of Portland is a private Catholic university founded in 1901 and is affiliated with the Congregation of Holy Cross which also founded the University of Notre Dame. There are many opportunities on campus for students to connect with the history of Catholicism on campus. The University of Portland encourages students of all faith backgrounds to attend! 

Also see: Tips for successful college applications

Villanova University

• Location: Villanova, Pennsylvania
• Undergraduate Enrollment: 6,926
• Acceptance rate: 23%

Founded in 1842, Villanova University is the only Augustine Catholic University in the United States. Villanova was named for a Spanish Augustinian priest, Thomas García (1486-1555). St. Thomas of Villanova believed all learning should make a difference in the world. Villanova continues to embrace that thinking through their motto, Veritas, Unitas, Caritas—Truth, Unity, and Love. Villanova now consists of five colleges, including Liberal Arts and Sciences, Engineering, School of Business, Nursing, and Law School. No matter which school students attend, they can attend mass at the majestic St. Thomas of Villanova Church right on campus.

Also see: What are the oldest universities in the US?

Check out other Catholic colleges

These are only 10 of the many amazing Catholic colleges out there. There are over 200 Catholic colleges and universities in the US, so do your research and find the right Catholic school for you! Our extensive list of Catholic colleges and universities is a great place to start.

Also see: How to choose a college

Frequently asked questions about Catholic colleges