Overview
Washington, DC The Catholic University of America is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Washington, District Of Columbia. There are currently 2,958 undergraduates at CUA and the school’s acceptance rate is 86%. The tuition at CUA is $54,186.
CUA is a Roman Catholic school. That means that the administration is affiliated with the Roman Catholic faith. Classes may be designed with religious principles in mind, or some schools may even incorporate prayer into their schedule. Other schools with a religious affiliation may not be as active in their incorporation of the faith. It's a good idea to ask an admissions officer or current student what role faith has at CUA to help you make an educated decision.
City
Scholarships & Financial Aid
$75,006
$41,589
$33,417
Cost Breakdown
Estimated Cost:
$75,006for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
The sticker price at CUA is $75,006. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at CUA would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
The Catholic University of America Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at The Catholic University of America need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for The Catholic University of America is 001437.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.
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Pell Grants at The Catholic University of America
13% of students at The Catholic University of America receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to The Catholic University of America.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
CUA students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
Admissions
86%
Is CUA test-optional?
The Catholic University of America is test-blind, which means that it does not allow applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that they won’t consider these scores from any applicant. Decisions are based more heavily on grades, extracurricular activities, essays, interviews, and other factors.
Early Action
Early Decision I
Early Decision II
Regular Decision
What is the application deadline at CUA?
Students must apply by February 1 to enroll at CUA during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.
At CUA students also have the opportunity to apply Early Decision. In order to take advantage of this option, you’ll have to have your application in by November 1.
You can also choose to apply Early Decision II, with a later deadline of February 1.
And if you’re considering applying Early Action at CUA, remember that the deadline is November 1.
Should I apply Regular or Early Decision to CUA?
Applying to CUA with Early Decision can be a great decision if you are 100% sure you want to go there. You’ll find out your admissions decision earlier than other students, and some data shows that you may help your admissions chances. However, you should keep in mind that Early Decision is binding. If you do get into the school, you won’t be able to change your mind later. If there is any doubt in your mind, you should apply Early Action or Regular Decision instead.
Read more: All you need to know about Early Action vs Early Decision
Should I apply Early Action at CUA?
Early Action is a great option for students who want to hear back from a college before the Regular Decision admissions are released. At some colleges, applying Early Action can also help your admissions chances. However, this varies on a college-by-college basis, so it will not always give you a boost.
Be on the lookout for Single Choice Early Action or Restricted Early Action options. These are not the same as Early Action, and although they can be great options for some students, they are not a good fit for everyone. If you’re considering applying for Single Choice Early Action or Restricted Early Action, be sure to read the college’s admissions website carefully. Make sure that these restrictions fit with your college admissions plan.
Academics
Student/Faculty Ratio
11:1
Graduation Rate
76%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Business, Management, & Marketing
24%
24% of graduates
Social Sciences
15%
15% of graduates
Psychology
10%
10% of graduates
Engineering
9%
9% of graduates
Health Professions & Related Programs
8%
8% of graduates
Architecture
8%
8% of graduates
Philosophy & Religious Studies
5%
5% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
3%
3% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
3%
3% of graduates
Education
3%
3% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
2%
2% of graduates
History
2%
2% of graduates
Public Administration & Social Services
2%
2% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
2%
2% of graduates
Languages & Literatures
1%
1% of graduates
Physical Sciences
1%
1% of graduates
Mathematics
1%
1% of graduates
English Language & Literature
1%
1% of graduates
Liberal Arts & Humanities
1%
1% of graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
2,958
Pell Grant 12%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 6%
Undergrad Students Over 25 4%
Percent Male / Female 43% / 57%
Ethnic Diversity at CUA
63% White
16% Hispanic
8% Black
4% Multiracial
3% Unknown
3% Asian / Pacific Islander
3% International / Non-Citizen
Student Outcomes
Graduate Income
$73,250
Median Debt $26,000
Debt 10 years after graduation $276
Graduation Rate 76%
What is the graduation rate at The Catholic University of America?
76% of students who start at The Catholic University of America end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 18% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of The Catholic University of America go on to earn?
10 years after starting school at The Catholic University of America, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $73,250. This is $22,859 more than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at CUA take out in loans?
Graduates of CUA have to take out a median of $26,000 in federal student loans. This is $12,500 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
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