Catholic is in the name, and it is officially The National University of the Catholic Church, but that doesn’t mean you have to be Catholic to attend The Catholic University of America (CUA). 

While 80% of students are Catholic, Rebecca Allen, senior associate dean of admissions, assured our visiting group of college counselors that all faiths and religions are welcome. My tour guide, a student from Los Angeles who did happen to be Catholic, said that she had two professors who were Jewish and one who was Islamic and she felt that the university culture was very open to all religious perspectives. Students do have to take 2 or 3 religion classes, depending on their major and a wide variety of choices are available.

When describing why she chose Catholic, our tour guide said it originally wasn’t high on her list. Then she went to visit and was blown away by how close the community was and how much she felt like she would be valued on the campus. “That wasn’t at all how I felt when visiting some of the state schools in California,” she said. 

Small University, Large Campus

As the largest self-contained campus in Washington, D.C., CUA might warrant a spot on your college list if you want a small school (3300 undergraduates) in a major city with a comprehensive advising (including integrated academic and career advising) program. Every student has a dedicated four-year professional advisor and a major advisor. 

At CUA you’ll be part of a strong campus community as well as a global research university with a 7:1 faculty-student ratio. The school is right on the Metro with easy access to all areas of the city and the airport. All students take a “Washington 101” class as part of the Freshman Experience to master the Metro, learn about the best food trucks, and how to take advantage of all the free museums in D.C.

TEST-OPTIONAL FOR ALL PROGRAMS 

One unique aspect of CUA is that it is test-optional for all of its programs, even for Honors, Engineering and Nursing. “Our emphasis is on four years in a classroom vs. four hours on a Saturday morning,” Allen says. 

NEW AND NOTABLE PROGRAMS

Are you interested in both music and business? CUA has a new dual degree in Business Management and Music. 

The Busch School of Business offers 15 different specializations including Entrepreneurship, 

Sports Management, and Business and Public Policy.

The School of Architecture and Planning offers an uncommon 5-year dual degree program in architecture and civil engineering. Students are identified as a potential candidate after their freshman year.

CUA offers the premier school of social work in the U.S., including a 5-year master’s program.

Nursing is the most competitive major and the only major in which you have to apply directly. A recent $20 million donation to build a new nursing building means that the 90 spots currently available for nursing majors will double by 2022. 

National Institute of Health affiliations mean that Biology and Biochemistry students work on cutting-edge research. 

A 3+3 BA/JD program with CUA’s Columbus School of Law allows students to apply after their freshman year.

MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS

Merit scholarships are offered from $10,000 to $25,000. Legacy students receive $1,000 annually automatically. Members of a Catholic parish can receive $4,000 per year.

Archdiocesan Scholarships offer full tuition. For consideration, students must be at the top of their high school class with at least a 3.8 unweighted GPA in a highly demanding curriculum. Finalists must participate in an interview with university faculty. No separate application is required.