Catholic Colleges & Universities

Catholicism itself aims for a deep understanding of all creation in order to bring people closer to Jesus Christ.  Hence, intellectual pursuit has been a hallmark of the Church’s existence over the past two millennia.  Consequently, many scholars, Catholic as well as non-Catholic, attend Catholic educational institutions at every level from kindergarten to post-doctoral studies.

The Catholic Intellectual Tradition began in the first centuries after Christ’s death. It is identified by two characteristics: the classic texts, art, architecture, music, science, and technology to be cherished, studied, and handed on as well as the holistic way of considering those things that is the fruit of centuries of experience, prayer, action, and critical reflection.

The 264 American Catholic colleges & universities have a wide variety of strengths and specialties.   For some, adherence to the teachings of the Catholic Church is a very high priority.  These schools encourage living in a Catholic manner with their dorm and campus policies. Like all Catholic schools, these institutions are open to students of all, or no, faiths.  These schools include:

Ave Maria University

Benedictine College

Catholic University of America

Franciscan University

University of Dallas

Wyoming Catholic College

Some Catholic colleges and universities are highly selective and offer some of the most academically rigorous programs in the country.  These schools accept students with very high test scores, GPAs, and significant extracurricular accomplishments.  Among these are:

College of the Holy Cross

Fordham University

Georgetown University

Marist College

Santa Clara University

University of Notre Dame

Villanova University

Additionally, a number of highly selective non-Catholic colleges have strong Catholic communities on campus, including:

Barnard College

Columbia University

Cornell University

Duke University

Harvard College

Lehigh University

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Stanford University

University of Pennsylvania

University of Southern California

University of Virginia

Vanderbilt University

Numerous Catholic colleges are generous with need based financial aid. Most or all of this aid consists of scholarships, grants, and work study, none of which needs to be repaid.  These are a few very generous Catholic institutions:

Boston College

College of the Holy Cross

Georgetown University

Thomas Aquinas College

University of Notre Dame

Loyola U. of Maryland

College of St. Benedict

St. John’s University (MN)

Lastly, a number of Catholic colleges have highly rated online degree programs.  These include:

1 Villanova University

2 Georgetown University

3 College of St. Scholastica

4 Duquesne University

5 Creighton University

6 Gonzaga University

7 St. Mary of the Woods

8 St. Joseph’s College (NY)

9 Wheeling Jesuit University

10 Misericordia University

In conclusion, Catholic colleges & universities offer excellent opportunities for students to explore and expand upon the current body knowledge in every field of study from a thoroughly holistic (interdisciplinary) perspective.  Additionally, Catholic schools welcome students of all ethnic and national backgrounds and faith traditions and are as generous as possible with financial aid of all sorts.

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