Our student population is large enough to expose you to a diverse group of people, but small enough to not be overwhelming. Undergraduates make up more than half the population at 2,929 students. These students come from all over the United States and the world. Here you’ll meet many people with different backgrounds, and we’re sure you’ll make lifelong friends.
Learn more facts about Catholic UniversityOur student organizations are central to campus life. Stop by a University event and you might catch a dance performance by cultural organizations like CUA Gaels, the Student Organization of Latinos (SOL), or the Filipino Organization of Catholic University Students (FOCUS). After dinner, attend an informational meeting for an academic group like the Marketing Society or Biology Club. At CatholicU, there are countless ways to get involved with our many artistic, professional, faith-based, or athletic organizations.
Explore CatholicU’s student organizations
Catholic University is just three Metro stops away from the National Mall. Since we have our own Metro stop next to campus, students can be in the heart of the nation’s capital within minutes. The National Mall is home to the Smithsonian Institution and many of its museums, including the Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the National Gallery of Art. The large green space is ideal for sports, picnics, or studying with friends. You can also take a walk to explore the monuments that honor the nation’s history, such as the World War II Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial.
Learn more about studying in Washington, D.C.Just north of Capitol Hill, beside the Brookland/CUA Metro Station, and across the street from a neighborhood full of restaurants and shops sits Catholic University. Step onto campus and find yourself immersed in a world within a world, an oasis of natural beauty in the heart of one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities. Stroll through our 176-acre, tree-lined landscape past manicured gardens and classic collegiate buildings. And feel right at home.
Learn more about the biggest, greenest campus in D.C.
Students at Catholic University engage in a broad educational experience, including competitive play in intercollegiate sports. Nearly a fifth of our students compete in our 25 Division III programs. We also offer a variety of club and intramural sports. You can play flag football on a competitive intramural sports team, join a club sport like ice hockey or sailing, or virtually compete with our Esports team.
Learn more about Cardinal AthleticsAs a Catholic University, service is central to what we do. Although there are fewer opportunities because of the pandemic, every day of the week, our students still can be found serving at different locations throughout D.C. Whether it’s bringing food and fellowship to people experiencing homelessness, harvesting vegetables at the nearby Franciscan Monastery’s garden, or teaching children to read, you’ll find many ways to use your talents to serve those in need.
Learn about service at CatholicU
The right financial fit is as important as the right academic and social fit when choosing a university, and we take great pride in providing financial assistance that makes Catholic University affordable. To do so, we offer a comprehensive financial aid program that includes academic scholarships, need-based aid, Federal Work-Study, and other forms of financial assistance. The average tuition and room-and-board cost after scholarships and grants to first-year students over the last three years is $33,325.
Learn how a CatholicU education is affordablePope John Paul II in 1979, Pope Benedict XVI in 2008, and Pope Francis in 2015. When Pope Francis celebrated Mass for 30,000 people gathered on our campus in 2015, it was the third time a Pope had visited CatholicU. In 1979, Pope John Paul II commended the University as a place “where sincere commitment to scientific research and study goes together with a deep commitment to authentic Christian living.” In 2008, Pope Benedict XVI came here to call upon Catholic educators “to evoke among the young the desire for the act of faith.” And in 2015 Pope Francis encouraged us with these words: "¡Adelante! Siempre adelante." ("Keep moving forward. Always forward.")
Read more about papal visits to CatholicU
Our students take advantage of the unrivaled internship opportunities that Washington, D.C. provides. Here, they do important work at national and international companies, government organizations, and nonprofits while gaining practical experience in their field of study. Through the unique academic and professional growth opportunities internships provide, you’ll learn that D.C. really is an extension of The Catholic University classroom.
Learn more about internshipsWith more than 130 undergraduate programs to pick from, students at The Catholic University of America are able to find their calling and pursue their interests. Our programs are rooted in a strong liberal arts foundation and the Catholic intellectual tradition. Whether you want to study the humanities, prepare for the business world, dive into scientific research, or perform on the stage, Catholic University has a program to offer.
Find your Program