The Catholic University of America

Admission to Catholic University of America is comparatively accessible, with the university accepting a large majority of those who apply as its standing gradually improves. In the 2027 U.S. News American University Rankings, the school placed 148th, improving from 178th in 2024. For 2025, the undergraduate admit rate reached 82.8%, which is higher than 90% of peer schools in its comparison group of private comprehensive universities with similar rankings. Meanwhile, the school enrolled a modest fraction of those admitted, registering a yield rate of 13.4%. This indicates that while the university offers admission generously, only a small portion of accepted applicants decide to enroll. For prospective applicants, these patterns mean that meeting standard academic preparation requirements gives a very high likelihood of receiving an acceptance letter. The rising rank also indicates a positive shift in its comparative evaluation, though admission selectivity remains relatively low across the board.

Catholic University of America operates under a test-blind admissions policy, meaning that standardized test scores are not considered in the review process even if submitted. In earlier application cycles before this policy took effect, such as in 2015, 85% of enrolling first-year students submitted SAT scores and 30% submitted ACT scores. For international students looking for general benchmarks on academic credentials, applicant cases collected by Forward Pathway, which are unofficial records rather than institutional figures, offer some perspective. Within Forward Pathway's records of 86 admitted international applicant cases, the median unweighted grade point average was 3.67, alongside a median SAT score of 1200. Because standardized test results will not be reviewed by the admissions committee, prospective applicants should focus their preparation on course selection, maintaining strong high school grades, and demonstrating consistent academic performance across all four secondary years.

Undergraduate degrees at Catholic University of America show noticeable concentration, though the largest majors do not entirely align with its highest-ranked fields. In 2025, the top three bachelor majors accounted for 44.4% of all bachelor graduates, led by Business Administration and Management and followed by Registered Nursing. While business produces the most graduates, healthcare is where the institution achieves its strongest undergraduate national recognition, with the nursing school ranking 56th in the 2027 U.S. News rankings. Nursing also delivers substantial financial returns: in 2023 earnings data, graduates in registered nursing earned a median income of $87,466 one year after completion. At the graduate level, specialized fields demonstrate solid academic standing, including Library and Information Science ranked 38th in 2025 and Social Work ranked 60th in 2024. International representation differs sharply by level, as international students made up just 3.3% of bachelor graduates in 2025 while participating far more heavily in quantitative graduate programs.

The student body at Catholic University of America in 2025 is comprised primarily of undergraduates alongside a sizable graduate division, with White and Hispanic students representing the largest domestic groups. International and Asian representation varies significantly between undergraduate and graduate divisions. Graduate programs host the vast majority of international scholars, where international students numbered 507, accounting for 24.5% of all graduate students. Meanwhile, Asian student representation is smaller across campus. Among graduate students, Asian students totaled 65, making up 3.1% of that population, with similar low-single-digit shares observed across undergraduate classes where international students also form small groups. This creates an academic environment where domestic students make up the overwhelming majority of undergraduate life, while global perspectives are concentrated in master's and doctoral classrooms.

Undergraduate enrollment at Catholic University of America is heavily concentrated among traditional college-age students. In 2025, undergraduates aged 18 to 19 constituted 45.4% of the undergraduate body, while those aged 20 to 21 made up 38.5%. This concentration means daily undergraduate life is largely shared among peers who recently completed high school. Conversely, the graduate division draws from a broader adult age range, with students aged 25 to 29 forming the largest group at 26.4%. For incoming students, this demographic profile means the undergraduate campus community consists almost entirely of young adults progressing through their four-year degrees, coexisting with an older graduate student population.

International enrollment at Catholic University of America follows contrasting trajectories depending on the degree level. Among undergraduates, the international presence has steadily declined, with international students accounting for 2.9% of the undergraduate population in 2025. Conversely, international representation at the graduate level has expanded significantly over the past decade, reaching 24.5% of all graduate students in 2025. This divergence is equally visible among graduating classes. International students comprise only a slight fraction of bachelor's degree recipients, where domestic students heavily dominate common majors such as business and nursing. In contrast, international graduate students make up a substantial proportion of advanced degrees and concentrate heavily in specialized quantitative and STEM programs. For example, international scholars earned 87.5% of master's degrees awarded in Data Analytics, General, alongside high participation in electrical engineering. Prospective international applicants will therefore find a small undergraduate peer group, whereas graduate departments in analytical and technical fields offer a highly internationalized academic setting.

Applicants considering Catholic University of America can explore several other prominent universities situated within a short distance across the District of Columbia. Just 1.4 kilometers away sits Howard University, which ranked 73rd among National Universities in the 2027 rankings. Nearby Gallaudet University is located 1.8 kilometers away and held rank 179. Moving toward central Washington, George Washington University is positioned 3.6 kilometers away with a 2027 national rank of 59, while Georgetown University is located 4.4 kilometers away, ranking 23rd among National Universities. These institutions provide a variety of academic environments in the greater metropolitan area.

Campus safety at the Catholic University of America has trended positively in recent years, with internal behavioral infractions representing the vast majority of documented issues. The crime rate per 1,000 students stood at 13.2 in 2025, down from earlier years. During the period from 2023 to 2025, routine campus disciplinary enforcement accounted for most recorded incidents, highlighted by 545 alcohol disciplinary referrals along with a smaller number of drug violations. Serious crimes were comparatively rare across those years, though the campus did record 22 robberies as well as scattered incidents of motor vehicle theft and stalking. For prospective students evaluating campus life, these patterns show that campus security primarily handles student conduct regulations rather than frequent violent threats. However, because the campus is located in Washington, D.C., incoming undergraduates should still maintain general urban safety awareness, especially when traveling around adjacent neighborhoods after dark.