The Catholic University of America
The Catholic University of America — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
The Catholic University of America at a Glance
The Catholic University of America (CUA) is a private Catholic research university in Washington, D.C., United States. It is one of two pontifical universities of the Catholic Church in the United States – the only one that is not primarily a seminary – and the only institution of higher education founded by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Established in 1887 as a graduate and research center following approval by Pope Leo XIII, the university began offering undergraduate educa…
1887
139 years old
$391M
$390.9 million (2025)
5,366
3,055 undergrad · 2,311 grad
455
176 acres
12+
Identity
How to Apply to The Catholic University of America
Official admissions pageIs The Catholic University of America Worth It?
The Catholic University of America offers moderate value at $29,561/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $73,250, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 80% graduation rate means roughly 20% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How The Catholic University of America compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #27 of 124 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of Detroit Mercy | 79 | $15,232 | $71,030 |
| #2 | Saint Xavier University | 77 | $10,970 | $58,656 |
| #3 | Dominican University | 75 | $11,745 | $60,327 |
| #4 | Saint Peter's University | 72 | $12,199 | $57,815 |
| #5 | Ohio Northern University | 62 | $24,478 | $80,928 |
| #6 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #27 | The Catholic University of America | 50 | $29,561 | $73,250 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of The Catholic University of America's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at The Catholic University of America
The highest-earning program at The Catholic University of America is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $65,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Music at $21,400/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from The Catholic University of America earns $65,800, while a Music graduate earns $21,400. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Music.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $29,561/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $65,800 | $65,800 | $27,000 |
| Civil Engineering | $64,500 | $64,500 | $22,250 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $62,400 | $62,400 | $26,224 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $50,800 | $50,800 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $48,300 | $48,300 | $25,000 |
| Marketing | $47,300 | $47,300 | $25,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $44,200 | $44,200 | $25,500 |
| Architecture | $40,600 | $40,600 | $26,678 |
| Political Science and Government | $38,100 | $38,100 | $26,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $34,800 | $34,800 | $26,000 |
| Psychology, General | $33,600 | $33,600 | $26,000 |
| Music | $21,400 | $21,400 | $27,000 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Washington, DC
- Student Body
- 3,154 students
- Admission Rate
- 83%
- Graduation Rate
- 80%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $29,561
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $73,250
- Median Student Debt
- $26,000