Did you know the University of Notre Dame, Georgetown University, and the University of San Diego are all Catholic Universities? Some of the best universities in the United States are Catholic universities. International students love Catholic Universities in the United States because of the quality of education. And you do not have to be Catholic to attend!
Catholic Universities – United States Edition Overview
In this edition of Catholic Universities – United States, we’ll see which colleges track demonstrated interest, acceptance, Early Decision and Early Action, and much more.
We will also go over scholarships for international students. These scholarships are very competitive so you’ll want to read this to know how to stand out.
If you see university admissions terms you don’t understand, read this!
Catholic Universities – United States condensed version
| Catholic Universities – United States Edition | ||||||||||
| Catholic Universities United States | Number of Students | Graduation Rate (6 yrs.) | Retention Rate | Acceptance Rate | Tracks Demonstrated Interest | Average GPA | Early Decision | Early Action | Cost | Scholarships for International Students |
| Boston College | 15,106 | 91% | 95% | 16% | Yes | 19% | Yes | No | $83,146 | No |
| College of the Holy Cross | 3,233 | 91% | 95% | 36% | Yes | N/A | Yes | No | $80,214 | Yes |
| Creighton University | 8,397 | 78% | 92% | 76% | Yes | 3.9 | No | Yes | $65,364 | Yes |
| DePaul University | 20,917 | 69% | 84% | 70% | Yes | 3.8 | No | Yes | $65,871 | Yes |
| Duquesne University | 8,107 | 76% | 84% | 88% | Yes | 3.85 | No | Yes | $63,720 | Yes |
| Fairfield University | 6,019 | 84% | 91% | 52% | Yes | 3.75 | Yes | Yes | $68,750 | Yes |
| Fordham University | 16,556 | 83% | 88% | 54% | Yes | 3.71 | Yes | Yes | $89,575 | Yes |
| Georgetown University | 20,984 | 96% | 96% | 12% | No | N/A | No | Yes | $88,782 | Yes |
| Gonzaga University | 7,381 | 85% | 92% | 76% | Yes | 3.69 | No | No | $74,249 | Yes |
| Lewis University | 6437 | 70% | 80% | 66% | Yes | 3.6 | No | Yes | $53,702 | Yes |
| Loyola Marymount University | 10,165 | 82% | 88% | 41% | No | 3.96 | Yes | Yes | $84,208 | Yes |
| Loyola University Chicago | 16,899 | 72% | 81% | 79% | Yes | 3.77 | No | No | $68,600 | Yes |
| Loyola University Maryland | 5238 | 79% | 85% | 83% | No | 3.66 | No | Yes | $68,600 | Yes |
| Marquette University | 11,167 | 82% | 89% | 87% | No | 3.57 | No | No | $67,856 | Yes |
| Molloy University | 4511 | 70% | 85% | 79% | N/A | 3.0 Min. | No | No | $56,945 | No |
| Providence College | 4737 | 89% | 92% | 58% | Yes | 3.47 | Yes | Yes | $80,249 | Yes |
| Saint Joseph’s University | 7863 | 82% | 86% | 88% | Yes | 3.69 | Yes | Yes | $67,080 | Yes |
| Saint Louis University | 13,546 | 81% | 87% | 70% | No | 3.95 | Yes | Yes | $66,154 | Yes |
| Saint Mary’s College of California | 2,765 | 72% | N/A | 88% | Yes | 3.72 | No | Yes | $74,634 | No |
| Santa Clara University | 2,914 | 90% | 94% | 53% | Yes | 3.67 | Yes | Yes | $82,125 | Yes |
| Seattle University | 7,121 | 74% | 82% | 85% | Yes | 3.62 | N/A | N/A | $73,613 | No |
| Seton Hall University | 9,881 | 72% | 83% | 73% | N/A | 3.64 | No | Yes | $65,963 | No |
| Siena College | 3651 | 76% | 85% | 70% | Yes | 3.54 | Yes | Yes | $64,190 | No |
| The Catholic University of America | 5,059 | 74% | 76% | N/A | N/A | N/A | Yes | Yes | $80,218 | No |
| The University of Scranton | 4,731 | 80% | 85% | 84% | Yes | 3.58 | No | Yes | $60,039 | Yes |
| University of Dayton | 11,674 | 81% | 88% | 74% | Yes | 3.76 | No | Yes | $67,265 | Yes |
| University of Notre Dame | 13,105 | 96% | 97% | 13% | Yes | N/A | No | Yes | $83,271 | Yes |
| University of Portland | 3,771 | 79% | 86% | 92% | Yes | 3.42 | No | No | $74,560 | Yes |
| University of San Diego | 8,815 | 83% | 90% | 53% | Yes | 4.01 | No | No | $76,700 | Yes |
| University of San Francisco | 9,688 | 74% | 80% | 71% | Yes | 3.65 | Yes | Yes | $83,662 | Yes |
| University of St. Thomas | 9,792 | 80% | N/A | N/A | N/A | 3.69 | N/A | N/A | $66,048 | No |
| Villanova University | 10,383 | 90% | 96% | 23% | Yes | 3.89 | Yes | Yes | $85,316 | Yes |
| Xavier University | 6,651 | 75% | 83% | 84% | Yes | 3.68 | No | No | $66,445 | Yes |
Catholic Universities – United States Edition
Boston College
Academic Programs
Boston College has an acceptance rate of 16% and a graduation rate of 91%. You can be one of the 1,725 international students who call Boston College their home. Choose from one of their 90+ undergrad or graduate degree programs. The school also has a law school and a school of theology. Boston College does not track demonstrated interest.
Housing
Boston College has 30 residence halls. You can live in traditional residence halls or apartment-style residence halls.
Location
Newton, Massachusetts
English Language Test
TOEFL – 100
IELTS – 7.5
PTE – 68
International Student Cost
$83,146
College of the Holy Cross
Academic Programs
College of the Holy Cross has an acceptance rate of 36% and a graduation rate of 91%. College of the Holy Cross considers demonstrated interest.
Housing
You be amongs the 90% of studnts who choose to live on campus. You can choose from one of the 11 traditonal residence halls, or townhouses.
Location
Worcester, Massachusets
English Language Test
Most competitive candidate scores
TOEFL – 100
IELTS – 7
DET – 120
International Student Cost
$80,214
College of the Holy Cross has a limited number of scholarships for international students. The average scholarship is $48,000.
Creighton University
Academics Programs
Creighton University has an acceptance rate of 76% and a graduation rate of 78%. Choose from one of the 100+ undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Creighton University tracks demonstrated interest and has an average GPA of 3.9. Creighton also has a medical school and a law school.
You can also select the accelerated bachelor’s to master’s that allows you to start earning your master’s degree while still earning your bachelor’s. The program saves you time and money!
Housing
You can live in one of the eight residence halls in either community, suite, or apartment styles.
Location
Omaha, Nebraska
English Language Test
TOEFL – 100
IELTS – 7.0
International Student Cost
$65,364
Creighton University has limited scholarships for international students, averaging $37,000.
DePaul University
Academic Programs
You can choose from one of the 250+ degree programs. It is also an R2 research university and has a law school. Depaul University has an acceptance rate of 70% and a graduation rate of 69%. Depaul University tracks demonstrated interest.
Housing
You can live in traditional residence halls or high-rise apartments in Chicago.
Location
Chicago, IL
English Language Test
IELTS – 6.5
TOEFL – 80
International Student Cost
$65,871
A limited number of scholarships are available for international students that average $17,000.
Duquesne University
Academics Programs
Duquesne University has an acceptance rate of 88% and a graduation rate of 76%. The average GPA is 3.85. Duquesne University tracks demonstrated interest.
Choose from one of the 100+ undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
Housing
You can live in one of the seven residence halls and even participate in Living Learning Centers.
Location
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
English Language Test
TOEFL – 70
IELTS – 6.0
International Student Cost
$63,720
Duquesne University has limited scholarships for international students, averaging $28,000.
Fairfield University
Academics Programs
Fairfield University has an acceptance rate of 52% and a graduation rate of 84%. The average GPA is 3.75. Fairfield Univeristy tracks demonstrated interest. You can choose from one of the 100+ undergraduate and graduate programs.
Housing
You can live in one of the 11 residential halls in traditional and suite-style housing.
Location
Fairfield, Connecticut
English Language Test
TOEFL – 80
IELTS 6.5
International Student Cost
$68,750
Fairfield University has a limited number of scholarships for international students averaging $50,000.
Fordham University
Academic Programs
Fordham University has an acceptance rate of 54% and a graduation rate of 83%. You can choose from one of the 70+ degrees offered on one of their three campuses. The school has a Manhattan, New York, the Bronx and Westchester campus. Fordham University tracks demonstrated interest.
Housing
You can live in one of the 14 residence halls or even one of the Learning and Living Communities.
Location
New York, New York
English Language Test
TOEFL 90
IELTS 7.0
International Student Cost
$89,575
International students are automatically considered for scholarships. There are limited scholarships for international students averaging $35,000.
Georgetown University
Academic Programs
Georgetown University is the oldest Catholic and Jesuit university in the United States. The school has international students from 166 countries. Georgetown has a graduate rate of 96% and an admit rate of 12%. You can choose from over 70 degree programs.
Georgetown University does not track demonstrated interest.
Housing
You can live in one of 18 residential halls on campus. You can choose from traditional dormitories and apartments.
Location
Washington D.C.
English Language Test
TOEFL – 100
IELTS – 7.5
International Student Cost
$88,782
Georgetown University has limited scholarships for international students that average $76,000.
Gonzaga University
Academics Programs
Gonzaga University has an acceptance rate of 76% and a graduation rate of 85%. The average GPA is 3.69. Gonzaga University tracks demonstrated interest.
Housing
You can live in one of the traditional residential halls, suites, or apartment-style housing.
Location
Spokane, Washington
English Language Test
TOEFL – 88
IELTS 6.5
International Student Cost
$72,249
Gonzaga University has limited scholarships for international students, averaging $33,000.
Lewis University
Academics Programs
Lewis University has an acceptance rate of 66% and a graduation rate of 70%. The average GPA is 3.6. Lewis University tracks demonstrated interest. You can choose from one of their 100+ degrees.
Housing
You can be one of the 1,200 students that live on campus. You can live in one of the 12 residence halls.
Location
Romeoville, Illinois
English Language Test
TOEFL – 79
IELTS – 6.5
PTE – A – 52
Duolingo – 105
International Student Cost
$53,702
Lewis University has limited scholarships for international students, averaging $25,000.
Loyola Marymount University
Academic Programs
Loyola Marymount University has an acceptance rate of 41% and a graduation rate of 82%. The average GPA is 3.96. You can choose from one of the 50+ undergraduate and graduate programs. Loyola Marymount University does not track demonstrated interest.
Housing
You can live in one of the residence halls, suites, apartments, or houses.
Location
Los Angeles, California
English Language Test
TOEFL – 90
IELTS – 6.5
International Student Cost
$84,208
Loyola Marymount University has a limited number of scholarships for international students, averaging $5,000.
Loyola University Chicago
Academic Programs
You can choose from one of the 100+ degree programs. Or you can attempt one of the 70+ programs where you can earn a bachelor’s and graduate degree in just five years. Loyola University Chicago has an acceptance rate of 79% and a graduation rate of 72%. Loyola University Chicago tracks demonstrated interest.
Housing
You can live in one of the 23 residence halls. Choose from traditional residence halls, apartments, and high-rise residences.
Location
Chicago, IL
English Language Test
TOEFL – 79
IELTS – 6.5
International Student Cost
$68,600
Loyola University Maryland
Academics Programs
Loyola University Maryland has an acceptance rate of 83% and a graduation rate of 79%. The average GPA is 3.66. Loyola University Maryland does not track demonstrated interest.
Housing
You can live in one of the traditional residence halls or themed housing.
Location
Baltimore, Maryland
English Language Test
TOEFL – 80
IELTS – 6.5
Duolingo – 115
International Student Cost
$68,600
Loyola University Maryland has limited scholarships for international students averaging $35,000.
Marquette University
Academic Programs
Marquette University has an admit rate of 87% and a graduation rate of 82%. The average GPA is 3.57. You can choose from over 70 undergraduate programs. The school also has a law school. Marquette University does not track demonstrated interest.
Housing
You can live in one of the residence halls or the university apartments.
A great way to be in a close-knit community is to live in one of The Living and Learning Communities with others who share similar interests.
Location
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
English Language Test
TOEFL – Reading:18, Listening: 18, Speaking: 20, Writing 20
IELTS – Reading: 6.5, Listening: 6.5, Speaking: 6.5, Writing: 6.0
Duolingo – 115
International Student Cost
$67,856
Marquette University has limited scholarships for international students, averaging $26,000.
Molloy University
Academics Programs
Molloy Univeristy has an acceptance rate of 79% and a graduation rate of 70%. You must have at least a 3.0 to apply.
Housing
You can live in traditional residence halls or suites.
Location
Rockville Centre, New York
English Language Test
TOEFL – 79
IELTS – 6.5
PTE – 54
Duolingo – 110
International Student Cost
$56,945
Providence College
Academics Programs
Providence College has an acceptance rate of 58% and a graduation rate of 89%. The average GPA is 3.47. Providence College tracks demonstrated interest.
Housing
You can live in one of the 16 residence halls on campus. Choose from traditional residence halls to suite-style or apartments.
Location
Providence, Rhode Island
English Language Test
TOEFL – 90
IELTS – 7.0
Duolingo – 120
International Student Cost
$80,249
Providence College has limited scholarships for international students, averaging $60,000.
Saint Joseph’s University
Academics Programs
Saint Joseph’s University has an acceptance rate of 88% and a graduation rate of 82%. The average GPA is 3.69. Saint Joseph’s University tracks demonstrated interest. You can choose one of 200+ undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
Housing
You can live in one of the nine traditional halls or special residential housing.
Location
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
English Language Test
TOEFL – 79
IELTS 6.5
Duolingo – 105
International Student Cost
$67,080
Saint Joseph’s University has a limited number of scholarships for international students, averaging $20,000
Saint Louis University
Academic Programs
Saint Louis University has an acceptance rate of 70% and a graduation rate of 81%. You can be one of the over 13,000 students on campus. You will be in good company with other international students from over 80 countries. Choose from one of the 200+ undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Saint Louis University does not track demonstrated interest.
Housing
You can live in one of the 11 halls in suite-style, traditional halls or apartments.
Location
St. Louis, Missouri
English Language Test
TOEFL – 80
IELTS – 6.5
Duolingo – 110
International Student Cost
$66,154
Saint Louis University has a limited number of scholarships for international students that average $27,000
Saint Mary’s College of California
Academic Programs
Saint Mary’s College of California has an acceptance rate of 88% and a graduation rate of 72%. The average GPA is 3.72. You can choose from over 200+ undergraduateand graduate programs. Saint Mary’s College of California tracks demonstrated interest.
Housing
You can live in traditional residence halls, suite-style or townhouse apartments.
Location
Moraga, California
English Language Test
TOEFL – 79
IELTS 6.5
International Student Cost
$74,634
Santa Clara University
Academic Programs
Santa Clara Univeristy has an acceptance rate of 53% and a graduation rate of 90%. The average GPA is 3.67. Santa Clara University tracks demonstrated interest. You can choose from one of the 50+ degrees.
Housing
You can live in one of the Residential Learning Communities, residence halls or townhomes.
Location
Santa Clara, California
English Language Test
TOEFL – 90
IELTS – 6.5
International Student Cost
$82,125
Santa Clara University has a limited number of scholarships for international students. The average scholarship is $36,000.
Seattle University
Academics Programs
Seattle University has an acceptance rate of 85% and a graduation rate of 74%. You can choose from over 90+ degrees. The average GPA is 3.62. Seattle University tracks demonstrated interest.
Housing
You can live in one of the seven residence halls or apartments.
Location
Seattle, Washington
English Language Test
TOEFL – 65
IELTS – 60
International Student Cost
$73,613
Seton Hall University
Academic Programs
Seton Hall University has an acceptance rate of 73% and a graduation rate of 72%. You can choose from one of the 150+ undergraduate and graduate degrees. Seton Hall University does not track demonstrated interest. The average GPA is 3.64
Housing
You can live in one of the traditional residence halls or suites on campus.
Location
South Orange, New Jersey
English Language Test
TOEFL – 79
IELTS – 6.0
International Student Cost
$65,963
Siena College
Academic Programs
Siena College has an acceptance rate of 70% and a graduation rate of 85%. The average GPA is 3.54. Siena College considers demonstrated interest. You can choose from one of the 40+ undergraduate and graduate programs.
Housing
You can live in one of the traditional residence halls, the townhouse community, or apartment style residence.
Location
Loudonville, New York
English Language Test
TOEFL – 65
IELTS – 5.5
International Student Cost
$64,190
A limited number of merit and need based aid is available for international students.
The Catholic University of America
Academics Programs
The Catholic University of America has a graduation rate of 74% and a retention rate of 76%. You can choose from one of their 250+ undergraduate and graduate programs.
Housing
You can live in traditional residence halls, suites, or apartments on campus.
Location
Washington D.C.
English Language Test
TOEFL – 80
IELTS 6.5
Duolingo – 105
PTE Academic – 58
International Student Cost
$80,218
The University of Scranton
Academics Programs
The Univeristy of Scranton has an acceptance rate of 84% and a graduation rate of 80%. The average GPA is 3.58. You can choose from 100+ undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The University of Scranton considers demonstrated interest.
Housing
You can live in traditional residence halls or apartments on campus.
Location
Scranton, Pennsylvania
English Language Test
TOEFL – 80
IELTS – 6.5
International Student Cost
$60,000
There are a limited number of scholarships for international students averaging $20,000.
University of Dayton
Academic Programs
The University of Dayton has an acceptance rate of 74% and a graduation rate of 81%. You can choose from 80 undergraduate and 50 graduate programs. Or you can select the Bachelor’s Plus Master’s Program, which allows you to complete your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in five years. The program saves you time and a 30% discount on graduate tuition. The University of Dayton tracks demonstrated interest.
Housing
You can live in one of the 14 residence halls on campus. Halls can accommodate 1-3 students in residence halls and apartments.
Location
Dayton, Ohio
English Language Test
TOEFL – 80
IELTS – 6.5
ITEP – 4.5
PTE – 60
Duolingo – 110
International Student Cost
$67,265
The University of Dayton has a limited number of scholarships for international students that average $35,000.
University of Notre Dame
Academic Programs
The University of Notre Dame has an acceptance rate of 13% and a graduation rate of 96%. You can choose from one of the 75+ undergraduate and graduate programs. Even though there are over 13,000 students, you will be happy to know that the student-to-faculty ratio is 9:1. The University of Notre Dame tracks demonstrated interest.
Housing
You can choose from one of the 32 residence halls on campus. Residence halls can house 1 – 5 students in suites.
Location
Notre Dame, Indiana
English Language Test
TOEFL iBT not accepted
TOEFL – 100
IELTS – 7.5
Duolingo – 120
PTE – 70
International Student Cost
$83,271
The University of Notre Dame has limited scholarships for international students, averaging $35,000.
University of Portland
Academic Programs
University of Portland has an acceptance rate of 92% and a graduation rate of 79%. The average GPA is 3.42. You can choose from one of the 60+ undergraduate and graduate programs. The University of Portland tracks demonstrated interest.
Housing
You can live in one of the 11 traditional residence halls.
Location
Portland, Oregon
English Language Test
GTEC – 1181
Duolingo – 105
PTE – 58
TOEFL – 71
International Student Cost
$74,560
The University of Portland has a limited number of scholarships for international students. The scholarships average $50,00.
University of San Diego
Academic Programs
The University of San Diego has an acceptance rate of 53% and a graduation rate of 83%. Choose from a degree in the College of Arts and Sciences, business, engineering, nursing and Health, peace studies, leadership, and Education, and Law. The University of San Diego tracks demonstrated interest and has an average GPA of 4.01.
Housing
You can be one of the 2,650 students living in traditional residence halls and apartments.
Location
San Diego, California
English Language Test
TOEFL – 80
IELTS – 6.5
International Student Cost
$76,700
The University of San Diego has limited scholarships for international students, averaging $13,000.
University of San Francisco
Academic Programs
The University of San Francisco has an acceptance rate of 71% and a graduation rate of 74%. Students have an average GPA of 3.65. You can choose from one of their 100+ undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The University of San Francisco tracks demonstrated interest.
Housing
You can live in one of the seven traditional residence halls.
Location
San Francisco, California
English Language Test
TOEFL – 80
IELTS – 6.5
Duolingo – 125
International Student Cost
$83,662
The University of San Francisco has limited scholarships for international students, averaging $22,000.
University of St. Thomas
Academic Programs
The University of St. Thomas has a student body of over 9,000. The graduation rate is 80%. You can choose from one of the 200+ undergraduate and graduate programs.
Housing
You can live in one of the 19 residence halls, suites, and apartment-style housing.
Location
St. Paul, Minnesota
English Language Test
TOEFL – 80
IELTS – 6.5
Duolingo 105
Pearson PTE – 53
Oxford Test of English – 135
Cambridge – 176
International Student Cost
$66,048
Villanova University
Academic Programs
Villanova University has an acceptance rate of 23% and a graduation rate of 90%. The average GPA is 3.89. You can choose from one of the 60+ undergraduates and 40+ master’s programs. Villanova University tracks demonstrated interest.
Housing
You can choose from one of the 31 residence halls. Be one of the 5,300 students who live in traditional residence halls or apartment-style suites.
Location
Villanova, Pennsylvania
English Language Test
TOEFL – 90
IELTS – 6.5
International Student Cost
$85,316
Villanova University has limited scholarships for international students, averaging $58,000.
Xavier University
Academics Programs
Xavier University has an acceptance rate of 85% and a graduation rate of 82%. The average GPA is 3.62. You can choose from one of the 100+ degree programs. Xavier University tracks demonstrated interest.
Housing
You can live in one of the 11 residence halls in traditional rooms or apartment-style housing.
Location
Cincinnati, Ohio
English Language Test
TOEFL -79
IELTS – 6.5
International Student Cost
$66,445
Xavier University has a limited number of scholarships for international students averaging $30,000.
Frequently Asked Questions – Catholic Universities – United States Edition
What are Catholic Universities in the United States?
Catholic Universities are universities that are accredited and can award university degrees. Some schools award undergraduate and graduate degrees. Some Catholic universities have law schools and medical schools.
Do you have to be Catholic to attend a Catholic University?
You DO NOT need to be Catholic to attend most Catholic universities. But you may be required to take a religious course of your choosing.
Many Catholic universities have students of other faiths. and even have centers for other faiths. For example, Georgetown has Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, Dharmic, Orthodox Christian and interfaith programs and services.
What is the largest Catholic university in the United States?
Georgetown University has a student body of 20,984 and Depaul University has a student body of 20,917.
Conclusion Catholic Universities – United States
There are many Catholic universities and they vary by acceptance rates, scholarships for international students, average GPA and much more. This post provides the most important information in helping you decide if it’s the right school for you!
