On this campus. In these classrooms. This story is as much yours as it is ours, and we can’t wait to see what you do with it. The story you create here may be the most important one you ever write.
Nestled just north of Capitol Hill sits Catholic University. Step onto campus and find yourself immersed in a world within a world — in both a powerful and historic city, and surrounded by lush green landscapes and cherry blossom trees. With 176 acres, Catholic University has the largest campus in Washington, D.C. Here, students of all backgrounds, races, and religions write the next chapter of our world’s future together.
Washington, D.C., is a city of politics, parades, festivals, museums (did we mention most of them are free?), professional sports, theatres, concerts, shopping, parks, restaurants, monuments, waterways, and trendy neighborhoods.
Our 12 schools and 44 research centers and facilities attract world-class faculty, guests, speakers, visiting scholars as well as government, corporate, foundation, and non-profit financial support.
At Catholic University, we do all we can to help our graduates chase their dreams. Our location in Washington, D.C., means students have access to internships in every field imaginable.
Take a virtual tour of Catholic University's campus. See what it's like to walk across campus, tour a residence hall room, and more.
At 136 years and counting, Catholic University remains the one and only national university of the Catholic Church in the United States. So it should be no surprise to hear that we believe in the promise and power of doing what’s right — passing those lessons on through six generations now of successful and conscientious alumni.
At CatholicU, we embrace you and the development of your character — regardless of your religious belief. We believe in the compatibility of faith and reason, and we pride ourselves on expressing these ideals through acceptance, service, and always striving to better ourselves and the lives of others.
Did you know more than 40% of CatholicU students regularly participate in community service?
Donald Shirley
Musician and Composer Depicted in Oscar-Winning Green Book
Class of 1953
Sr. Thea Bowman
Educator and Evangelist for African Americans, Servant of God
Class of 1970, 1973
Martin O'Malley
Former Governor of Maryland
Class of 1985
Brian M. Cashman
General Manager of MLB's New York Yankees
Class of 1989
Angela Santomero
Creator of Blue's Clues and Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood
Class of 1990
Michael J. Bidwell
President of the NFL's Arizona Cardinals
Class of 1990
John McCarthy
Political Strategist Named to Forbes 30 Under 30 for Politics
Class of 2013
Here is where your story starts to pick up. It’s where the pieces start to fall into place. This is where passion turns into professions, research into the roadmap for your future. Sure, it’s laid out in a curriculum, but there’s always room for a plot twist.
“Community service for me really speaks to the importance of the life and dignity of the person.”
"I could tell right away the swim team was a welcoming community and one where I could excel without sacrificing my academics."
"One of the amazing opportunities I've been able to do here at CatholicU is starting my own business. I felt unconditional support from my professors who even offered to meet and advise me outside of the classroom."
"I want to give back what I have received. And I believe I can do that as part of the Conway School of Nursing community."
"I’ve always had an interest in engineering and computing. My professors helped guide this pursuit for knowledge by guiding me to different organizations on campus that support this desire"
"Catholic University has been extremely supportive of the ROTC program here... I've been blessed with a lot of great opportunities."
At CatholicU, you get to be a part of creating new knowledge. And that’s true no matter your year or field of study. Our faculty research all kinds of topics, from politics and public policy to healthcare, engineering, and technology, and beyond. There aren’t many universities where you can earn a co-author credit on a published paper while you’re still an undergrad. Here, research is for everyone.
University Research Day is an annual celebration of the joy of discovery, bringing students and faculty together from all disciplines to learn from one another. Recent undergraduate research topics have included Roman cement, tutoring students with ADHD, the patent process, Captain America, Andy Warhol, and even our neighborhood of Brookland.
Study abroad is the dream of so many students, especially here at Catholic University. It’s the chance to explore 25 countries across 6 continents. We make this dream as accessible as possible to all our students with financial aid and scholarships. Our flagship program is in Rome. Built on the side of Janiculum Hill in the ancient neighborhood of Trastevere, the University’s Rome Center offers breathtaking views of the Eternal City from its many windows and balconies. The Pantheon and Colosseum are just across the Tiber River. Students are encouraged to spend as much time as possible engaged in the local community, improving their Italian language skills and learning more about Roman life by participating in the centuries-old traditions of the city.
Explore study abroad options
Ireland
CatholicU offers multiple programs in Ireland, including a Parliamentary internship program in Dublin and the Irish Summer Institute, which examines how migration has shaped Irish society and identity.
Morocco
Offered in conjunction with the Arab American Language Institute, this program immerses students in the Arabic language and Moroccan culture. Students stay with a family to enhance their language skills, learn the culture firsthand, and participate in family activities like weddings and holidays.
United Kingdom
The British Parliamentary Internship is a popular program in which students work in Westminster with a Member of Parliament. Courses focus on British history and politics.
Australia
The Conway School of Nursing offers an exchange program with the Australian Catholic University in Melbourne, adding an international dimension to nursing education.
Italy
Our flagship program is in Rome. Students live in the University's Rome Center in the bustling neighborhood of Trestevere, not far from Vatican City and numerous historic sites.
The Center for Academic and Career Success is here to help you make the most out of the incredible opportunities available to you, both in D.C. and at CatholicU, through individualized support to help you develop as a person and as a professional. Need help finding the right course? Or a path that aligns with your passions? We've got you covered. Ready for the next step? We’ve got close ties to organizations all over the region. By the time they graduate, approximately 64% of our students complete at least one internship.
These are just a few of the D.C.-based organizations where students have interned or worked (and you could be next):
|
Foreshadow your success“Being in D.C. is a big advantage of the University in terms of getting experience because everyone is looking for interns.” —Kevin Kelley, B.S.B.A. ‘13 As a business major, Kevin Kelley worked tirelessly to carve a path for himself in the world of professional sports. As a junior, he landed an internship with D.C. United, the city’s Major League Soccer franchise, that gave him his first taste of what life after graduation could look like. Thanks to the University’s D.C. location, Kelley was able to turn his internship into a full-blown career. He has advanced into the role of events manager for the World Champion Washington Nationals, a position he describes as his “dream job.” |
Every good character in a story needs some dynamic development. No one wants a one-track mind or one-path story. The best, most-worn books always have some adventure. Some notes left in the margins. That’s what all the stuff outside the classroom is: it’s the rest of the story filling in the blanks. So get to doodling.
National champs and perennial league championship contenders, our CatholicU Cardinals define the term “successful student-athletes.” From a history of college football greatness to the development of an intercollegiate sports program now supporting 25 Division III teams, the Cardinals have always been at the forefront.
Our women's lacrosse team has claimed 13 Landmark Conference Championships, including eight straight. No matter the sport, as a proud Cardinal, you will join the ranks of athletic greats — whether you’re in the game or cheering from the sidelines.
| Men's Varsity Sports | Women's Varsity Sports |
|---|---|
|
|
In 2020, Catholic University’s men’s and women’s swim teams were the first to win simultaneous titles at the Landmark Conference Championships. Two of our swimmers won individual national titles. This kind of athletic greatness spans all our teams, with three Cardinal track and field athletes also holding individual national titles.
But our high regard for the value of athletics is about more than victories. We structure our athletic programs to maximize their contribution to student development, knowing that sports help foster qualities that are vital in life: hard work, resilience, cooperation, respect for others, and leadership.
As a first-year student, you’ll be living on campus in one of our single-sex residence halls.
You’ll live with peers, build lifelong friendships, and be guided by a resident assistant who can help you with any needs.
Feeling hungry? Explore any of our 15 dining options, including familiar names like Starbucks and Chick-fil-A.
Our campus is alive with events for students. From Halloween on Campus to celebrations like Capital Fest and Cardinalpalooza, there’s always something to anticipate on each calendar page.
Explore more than 100 student organizations and clubs or create your own. Play club rugby, write poetry, or join an academic or professional student club.
Campus Ministry offers lots of ways to live your faith: immersion trips, homeless food runs, other service opportunities, prayer, worship — and they're always available for spiritual support when you need it.
The Center for Cultural Engagement fosters a diverse and accepting campus environment. It sponsors cultural events throughout the year, and provides support for students who are the first in their families to attend college.
The Center for Academic and Career Success provides an integrated approach and individual support to enable you to flourish in your studies and make the right connections to help you launch your career.
Over the last three years, Catholic University has offered scholarships and/or grants to 94% of first-year students. We offer a comprehensive financial aid program that includes academic scholarships, need-based aid, Federal Work Study, and other forms of financial assistance.
2023-2024
Undergraduate Tuition and Direct Costs
| Tuition* | $54,630 |
| Fees (Activity) Allowance | $1,204 |
| Housing | $11,020 |
| Food | $7,590 |
| Direct Cost | $74,444 |
Average tuition and room-and-board costs after scholarship and grants to first-year students: $34,793
*Tuition for students in Architecture and Engineering is $53,700.
Are you ready to write your story?
Where will your plot take you? To distant lands or to downtown D.C.? Will you study art or accounting, engineering or English? Where will your comfort spot on campus be? How will your faith evolve? Catholic University is a great place to answer these questions. If you choose to enroll here, you’ll have the characters, setting, twists and turns, mentors, morals, and mettle you need to create the strongest narrative you possibly can. Your time here will be so much more than a chapter or a short story — it’s the beginning of the series of a lifetime. We can’t wait to see what you come up with.
Email: cua-admissions@cua.edu
Phone: 202-319-5305
Toll-Free: 800-673-2772
Fax: 202-319-6533
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mailing Address
The Catholic University of America
Office of Undergraduate Admission
620 Michigan Ave, N.E. Washington, DC 20064
Campus Address
Father O’Connell Hall, Room 102
611 Alumni Lane
