Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks The Catholic University of America #1033 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $3,556 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 43.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks The Catholic University of America #390 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — reflecting strong graduate outcomes relative to cost. The Catholic University of America combines academic rigor with practical career preparation, delivering above-average financial outcomes across its programs. The institution's business-focused curriculum and Washington, DC location provide graduates with distinctive professional advantages.
Azimuth ranks The Catholic University of America #1033 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private research university (Carnegie R2) in Washington, DC, Catholic University of America enrolls roughly 3,154 undergraduates. Retention is 86.5% and the six-year graduation rate is 79.5%, reflecting solid institutional capacity to convert enrollment into degree completion. Where The Catholic University of America performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks The Catholic University of America #390 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $79,320. They earn about $3,556 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing The Catholic University of America in the 43.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's program portfolio centers on Business, which aligns with strong early-career earnings outcomes and positions graduates for sustained financial growth. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. The Catholic University of America sits in the 23.9 percentile for access and the 10.7 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. 20.3% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 10.1% are first-generation college students. As a private institution with a published cost of attendance, Catholic University of America relies on need-based financial aid to bridge the gap between sticker price and what families pay. Mobility outcomes rank in the 39.1 percentile, reflecting the institution's ability to move graduates into stable, well-compensated career pathways relative to peer institutions.
The Catholic University of America's published cost of attendance is $75,481, but need-based aid reshapes that figure across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $17,358; middle-income families pay around $24,723; and higher-income families pay approximately $37,651. Azimuth ranks The Catholic University of America #1273 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. The university's aid structure combines need-based grants with federal and institutional loan options. Families apply for aid using the FAFSA and CSS Profile. The gap between sticker price and net price reflects the institution's commitment to need-based aid, though the affordability rank indicates that post-graduation debt service remains a meaningful consideration relative to peer institutions. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $50,215; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $79,320, median federal debt of $26,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $294 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
The Catholic University of America is a strong fit for students interested in business, social sciences, and humanities who want a private university experience in Washington, DC. Graduates earn median earnings four years after enrollment of $79,320, placing The Catholic University of America in the 86.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $3,556 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 43.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls a substantial share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 20.3% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 10.1% are first-generation — and delivers completion rates of 66.1% for Pell recipients. Published cost of attendance is $37,651, and low-income families pay a net price of approximately $17,358 after need-based aid. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 82.8% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors Business and related fields — students whose interests align with those areas will find strong outcomes.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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Financial GPS Tool
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This is the The Catholic University Of America hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
The Catholic University of America's published cost of attendance is $75,481, but need-based aid reshapes that figure across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $17,358; middle-income families pay around $24,723; and higher-income families pay approximately $37,651.
Azimuth ranks The Catholic University of America #1273 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
The university's aid structure combines need-based grants with federal and institutional loan options. Families apply for aid using the FAFSA and CSS Profile.
The gap between sticker price and net price reflects the institution's commitment to need-based aid, though the affordability rank indicates that post-graduation debt service remains a meaningful consideration relative to peer institutions. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $26,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $50,215; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $79,320, median federal debt of $26,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $294 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of the Catholic University of America earn median 4-year earnings of $79,320, placing The Catholic University of America in the 86.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The Catholic University of America sits in the 43.0 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks The Catholic University of America #390 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects The Catholic University of America's concentration in business and professional fields.
Business Administration is the largest program with 135 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $87,907, performing at 1.3x the national benchmark for the field. The Psychology, General program graduates 85 students earning $52,846, and the The Political Science program graduates 74 students earning $73,917.
Nursing and Architecture round out the top five, with graduates earning $96,949 and $69,838 respectively. The institution's dominant program family — Business — anchors the earnings profile and drives the long-term financial outcomes for most graduates.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Sioux Falls Similar quality tier (#28225 ranked) | SD | 83% | $54,521 | #28225 | Compare |
University Of New Haven Similar quality tier (#28226 ranked) | CT | 60% | $60,126 | #28226 | Compare |
University Of Dubuque Similar quality tier (#28219 ranked) | IA | 89% | $51,190 | #28219 | Compare |
Clark University Similar quality tier (#28227 ranked) | MA | 40% | $62,381 | #28227 | Compare |
Gannon University Similar quality tier (#28228 ranked) | PA | 74% | $58,845 | #28228 | Compare |
Accounting and Related Services
23 graduates
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
66 graduates
Civil Engineering
19 graduates
Economics
29 graduates
Mechanical Engineering
40 graduates
The Catholic University of America's program mix centers on Business, anchoring its academic portfolio in applied professional fields. Business Administration is the largest program with 135 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $87,907, followed by Psychology, General with 85 graduates earning $52,846, Political Science with 74 graduates earning $73,917, Nursing with 66 graduates, and Architecture with 59 graduates.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 796 students annually, several deliver strong four-year earnings outcomes. The highest-earning programs reflect the institution's professional and business orientation.
Nursing graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $96,949 with 66 graduates, while Economics delivers $91,962 for 29 graduates. Mechanical Engineering earns $90,355 across 40 graduates, and Business Administration and Political Science round out the earnings leaders.
These programs cluster in fields where employers actively recruit and where direct-to-workforce pathways are standard. The program distribution reflects The Catholic University of America's identity as a private Catholic institution in Washington, DC.
Business represents 23% of graduates, with Social Sciences at 15% and Engineering at 9%, anchoring the institution's focus on applied professional and business-oriented fields. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these dominant program families align with national labor-market demand and wage growth trajectories.
