We rank the top Catholic colleges for you! If a college that is affiliated with the Catholic Church is an important consideration, don’t miss this list of the best for 2023.
Prospective students who are interested in attending a top ranked Catholic university have plenty of options. According to the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, there are currently 247 postsecondary colleges and universities that are affiliated with the Catholic Church. But which are the best college campuses for students with an interest in a Catholic higher education experience? Our college rankings look at the best colleges with a Catholic tradition.
Jump directly to our list of the best colleges with Catholic affiliation. Or find out what your other options are with a look at our full List of College Rankings.
Or read on to learn more...
Catholic universities and colleges typically offer access to the full range of undergraduate majors and degree programs. While campus life may reflect the Catholic faith, values, and disciplinary code, it is still entirely possible to pursue a full range of secular liberal arts degree programs in areas like history, literature, and philosophy.
Moreover, many Catholic schools are producing groundbreaking research in the life sciences, advancing social mobility through social sciences degree programs, and awarding degrees in the creative arts. In other words, each national university on our ranking list offers undergraduate majors in a full scope of disciplines.
Of course, most Catholic institutions also provide access to excellent theology and religious studies programs. As high school students weigh their options, those with a particular interest in the Catholic faith should consider those institutions which enjoy national recognition.
Speaking of recognition, the Catholic national universities that enjoy the most notoriety are often those with both exceptional academic and athletic traditions. Indeed, universities like Georgetown University and Notre Dame draw students as much with their storied sports programs as with their spiritual tradition or their rankings with U.S. News & World Report and other national ranking agencies.
Likewise, noteworthy private Illinois schools like Loyola and DePaul have excelled in the highly popular NCAA men’s basketball tournament.
In many ways, applying to a Catholic institution is a lot like applying to any other top university. There are a number of features that you’ll want to consider before choosing a top ranked Catholic university.
Accreditation is essential to ensuring that your Catholic school matches its proposed value proposition. Accreditation ensures the quality and credibility of your school and degree. Even more importantly, only students attending colleges and universities with accreditation from a Department of Education recognized accreditor will be eligible for financial aid.
Speaking of financial aid, it is important to fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to find out whether you’re eligible for student loans, Pell grants, or other federal grants.
The FAFSA also helps your prospective college or university determine your eligibility for other financial aid opportunities. The Office of Student Aid evaluates adjusted gross family incomes to determine financial aid eligibility for all students who submit a FAFSA.
Disadvantaged students awarded certain federal grants will typically not be required to repay this sum. You may be also able to match up with a Catholic university that assists economically disadvantaged students.
Indeed, the best value colleges are typically those which include generous financial aid packages. Often, this financial support offers the best pathway to getting your degree at an affordable cost and ultimately seeing your college investment realized.
Many nationally ranked Catholic schools are highly selective. As high school students weigh their options, they should consider the acceptance rate for the schools on their list.
Be sure that you’re not only looking at the best colleges with a Catholic tradition, but that you’re also looking realistically at your options. Factors like your GPA, SAT or ACT scores, and any additional national accolades earned might figure into your eligibility. Go beyond the college rankings to find a school that actually matches your personal criteria.
It’s not enough to simply seek schools graduating large proportions of their student body. Graduation rate is a somewhat limited metric for evaluating a school on your list.
You would be better served by learning more about the students who do graduate. What type of employment rate, earning power, and postgraduate education do the vast majority of alumni experience? You can learn a lot about a school by finding out what becomes of its graduates.
Many national universities include a full range of undergraduate majors as well as master’s and doctoral programs and certificate programs. If you are seeking a graduate degree through a Catholic school, you’ll find that many of the best Catholic colleges in America offer accredited degrees at every level. In most cases, pursuing a graduate degree would require you to earn a bachelor’s degree first.
Tuition + fees
$48K
Acceptance
77%
Graduation
72%
Student body
15K
Median SAT/ACT
1230/28
Tuition + fees
$42K
Acceptance
84%
Graduation
75%
Student body
7K
Median SAT/ACT
1155/25
Tuition + fees
$42K
Acceptance
69%
Graduation
70%
Student body
19K
Tuition + fees
$49K
Acceptance
70%
Graduation
80%
Student body
10K
Median SAT/ACT
1265/28
Tuition + fees
$45K
Acceptance
78%
Graduation
79%
Student body
6K
Tuition + fees
$44K
Acceptance
84%
Graduation
78%
Student body
7K
Median SAT/ACT
1195/25
Tuition + fees
$56K
Acceptance
58%
Graduation
89%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1285/29
Tuition + fees
$37K
Acceptance
89%
Graduation
54%
Student body
<1K
Median SAT/ACT
1022/22
Tuition + fees
$39K
Acceptance
93%
Graduation
58%
Student body
3K
Tuition + fees
$27K
Acceptance
100%
Graduation
39%
Student body
<1K
Median SAT/ACT
920/19
Tuition + fees
$40K
Acceptance
81%
Graduation
62%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1110/24
Tuition + fees
$29K
Acceptance
68%
Graduation
51%
Student body
2K
Tuition + fees
$46K
Acceptance
86%
Graduation
72%
Student body
2K
Tuition + fees
$32K
Acceptance
64%
Graduation
41%
Student body
6K
Tuition + fees
$33K
Acceptance
94%
Graduation
58%
Student body
6K
Median SAT/ACT
1045/20
Tuition + fees
$20K
Graduation
55%
Student body
<1K
Tuition + fees
$45K
Acceptance
90%
Graduation
59%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1005/20
Tuition + fees
$26K
Acceptance
71%
Graduation
46%
Student body
9K
Tuition + fees
$30K
Acceptance
66%
Graduation
35%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
975/17
Tuition + fees
$35K
Acceptance
71%
Graduation
60%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1115/24
Tuition + fees
$41K
Acceptance
95%
Graduation
58%
Student body
<1K
Tuition + fees
$36K
Acceptance
82%
Graduation
59%
Student body
1K
Tuition + fees
$27K
Acceptance
90%
Graduation
66%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1050/20
Tuition + fees
$34K
Acceptance
72%
Graduation
63%
Student body
2K
Tuition + fees
$40K
Acceptance
81%
Graduation
68%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
945/22
Tuition + fees
$31K
Acceptance
60%
Graduation
42%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1087/22
Tuition + fees
$44K
Acceptance
73%
Graduation
73%
Student body
3K
Tuition + fees
$26K
Acceptance
93%
Graduation
57%
Student body
<1K
Tuition + fees
$45K
Acceptance
66%
Graduation
73%
Student body
9K
Tuition + fees
$33K
Acceptance
71%
Graduation
41%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1005/18
Tuition + fees
$34K
Acceptance
72%
Graduation
64%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1075/22
Tuition + fees
$25K
Acceptance
52%
Graduation
64%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1015/20
Tuition + fees
$34K
Graduation
56%
Student body
<1K
Tuition + fees
$34K
Acceptance
80%
Graduation
47%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1070/22
Tuition + fees
$39K
Acceptance
73%
Graduation
73%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1075/23
Tuition + fees
$28K
Acceptance
78%
Graduation
61%
Student body
1K
Tuition + fees
$35K
Acceptance
85%
Graduation
52%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1035/21
Tuition + fees
$35K
Acceptance
68%
Graduation
65%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1075/23
Tuition + fees
$36K
Acceptance
84%
Graduation
62%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1070/24
Tuition + fees
$40K
Acceptance
65%
Graduation
59%
Student body
1K
Tuition + fees
$35K
Acceptance
89%
Graduation
54%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1037/20
Tuition + fees
$35K
Acceptance
97%
Graduation
59%
Student body
2K
Tuition + fees
$37K
Acceptance
81%
Graduation
60%
Student body
1K
Tuition + fees
$36K
Acceptance
82%
Graduation
49%
Student body
<1K
Median SAT/ACT
1030/21
Tuition + fees
$40K
Acceptance
73%
Graduation
48%
Student body
1K
Tuition + fees
$22K
Acceptance
68%
Graduation
39%
Student body
1K
Tuition + fees
$39K
Acceptance
68%
Graduation
68%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1085/22
Tuition + fees
$34K
Acceptance
79%
Graduation
70%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1165/24
Tuition + fees
$27K
Acceptance
53%
Graduation
49%
Student body
<1K
Median SAT/ACT
1035/22
Tuition + fees
$32K
Acceptance
77%
Graduation
56%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
975/19
To find other top schools, check out our complete list of Online Program Rankings.
Check out the College Admissions Process Guide for additional tips on finding, applying to, and getting into the college of your choice.
See our Resources Guide for much more on studying, starting your job search, and more.