Catholic Colleges

Georgetown University's 12.23% acceptance rate makes it the most selective Catholic institution nationally, yet the college market extends far beyond elite admissions. Mount Carmel College of Nursing demonstrates this range with its $12,939 net price, the lowest among 226 Catholic colleges nationwide. The earnings potential varies dramatically, from $65,409 to $109,183, with Santa Clara University graduates commanding the highest median salaries at $109,183 annually. Catholic colleges serve varied career paths, from specialized nursing programs that feed directly into America's healthcare shortage to liberal arts institutions preparing students for law, business, and technology sectors. The graduation rate spectrum spans from 44.6% to 100%, with St. Joseph's College of Nursing achieving perfect completion rates among its 283 nursing students. These institutions anchor communities from Syracuse to San Diego, producing healthcare professionals for major hospital systems, business leaders for Fortune 500 companies, and educators for public school districts facing teacher shortages. The net price range of $12,939 to $50,959 reflects both specialized programs and full universities, with many schools offering significant financial aid packages that make Catholic education accessible across economic backgrounds.

Schools

$30,248

Avg. Net Price

$76,152

Avg. Earnings

77.6%

Avg. Graduation Rate

College listings
#	School	Enrollment	Net Price	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	St. Joseph's College of Nursing Syracuse, New York	283	$29,688	100.0%	22.2%
2	Georgetown University Washington, District of Columbia	7,462	$39,433	94.3%	12.2%
3	University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, Indiana	8,923	$27,823	96.8%	12.9%
4	Boston College Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts	9,865	$39,866	91.0%	16.7%
5	Villanova University Villanova, Pennsylvania	7,005	$44,876	92.4%	23.4%
6	Santa Clara University Santa Clara, California	6,235	$50,959	88.5%	52.1%
7	College of the Holy Cross Worcester, Massachusetts	3,015	$36,868	89.6%	36.4%
8	Mount Carmel College of Nursing Columbus, Ohio	573	$12,939	70.9%	63.4%
9	Fairfield University Fairfield, Connecticut	4,938	$46,274	83.8%	52.2%
10	Good Samaritan College of Nursing and Health Science Cincinnati, Ohio	455	$22,626	75.0%	75.0%
11	Providence College Providence, Rhode Island	4,170	$45,538	87.9%	52.8%
12	Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences Lancaster, Pennsylvania	1,548	$37,208	67.0%	45.7%
13	University of San Diego San Diego, California	5,619	$31,265	81.6%	52.6%
14	Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, California	7,171	$45,723	79.8%	41.3%
15	Fordham University Bronx, New York	10,239	$42,581	80.3%	54.1%
16	Immaculata University Immaculata, Pennsylvania	1,265	$29,464	64.5%	69.7%
17	Assumption College for Sisters Denville, New Jersey	35		100.0%
18	Gonzaga University Spokane, Washington	5,098	$36,371	86.9%	69.7%
19	Mercy College of Ohio Toledo, Ohio	982	$15,709	44.6%	46.2%
20	Molloy College Rockville Centre, New York	3,185	$26,870	71.8%	76.6%
21	Holy Apostles College and Seminary Cromwell, Connecticut	203	$16,073	100.0%
22	University of Dayton Dayton, Ohio	8,099	$31,236	81.5%	74.1%
23	Sacred Heart University Fairfield, Connecticut	6,904	$45,459	74.5%	65.7%
24	Creighton University Omaha, Nebraska	4,231	$32,380	80.5%	75.7%
25	University of Mary Bismarck, North Dakota	2,280	$18,568	68.2%	81.4%
26	Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	4,742	$35,487	79.8%	88.7%
27	Rockhurst University Kansas City, Missouri	1,702	$23,165	75.6%	66.5%
28	Divine Word College Epworth, Iowa	61		100.0%
29	Saint Anselm College Manchester, New Hampshire	2,032	$34,744	83.2%	82.3%
30	Thomas Aquinas College Santa Paula, California	539	$25,032	82.0%	84.7%
31	Thomas More College of Liberal Arts Merrimack, New Hampshire	95	$21,511	61.5%
32	Stonehill College Easton, Massachusetts	2,477	$29,969	80.8%	73.4%
33	Siena College Loudonville, New York	3,447	$32,697	75.8%	80.4%
34	University of San Francisco San Francisco, California	5,697	$39,495	71.1%	71.2%
35	St. John Fisher University Rochester, New York	2,579	$28,150	74.4%	73.1%
36	University of St Francis Joliet, Illinois	1,292	$16,284	64.6%	58.4%
37	Salve Regina University Newport, Rhode Island	2,102	$35,682	74.9%	69.5%
38	Franciscan University of Steubenville Steubenville, Ohio	2,775	$23,987	77.1%	66.7%
39	Marquette University Milwaukee, Wisconsin	7,238	$29,237	80.1%	87.2%
40	Loyola University Maryland Baltimore, Maryland	3,975	$29,633	80.5%	83.5%
41	College of Saint Mary Omaha, Nebraska	455	$14,986	59.4%	64.6%
42	Ave Maria University Ave Maria, Florida	1,229	$23,655	55.5%	44.2%
43	Gwynedd Mercy University Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania	1,141	$27,141	58.5%	58.4%
44	Madonna University Livonia, Michigan	1,637	$17,815	58.1%	64.8%
45	Canisius University Buffalo, New York	1,768	$18,322	70.7%	77.7%
46	University of Detroit Mercy Detroit, Michigan	2,289	$16,179	68.1%	90.5%
47	DePaul University Chicago, Illinois	14,283	$29,141	70.0%	70.2%
48	University of Scranton Scranton, Pennsylvania	3,589	$30,528	80.8%	84.4%
49	Manhattan College Riverdale, New York	2,928	$26,881	66.0%	82.3%
50	University of Portland Portland, Oregon	3,104	$36,371	80.4%	92.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Georgetown University stand out among Catholic colleges?

Georgetown maintains the lowest acceptance rate at 12.23% among all Catholic institutions, enrolling 7,462 students with graduates earning a median $103,494 annually. The university's Washington location provides unique access to government internships and policy careers, contributing to its 94.30% graduation rate and competitive admissions profile.

How affordable are Catholic nursing colleges compared to traditional universities?

Catholic nursing colleges offer significant cost advantages, with Mount Carmel College of Nursing at $12,939 net price and Good Samaritan College at $22,626. These specialized programs produce graduates earning $75,103 and $66,111 respectively, providing strong return on investment for healthcare careers facing national shortages.

Where do Catholic college graduates earn the highest salaries?

Santa Clara University graduates command the highest median earnings at $109,183 annually, followed closely by Boston College at $103,937. Both universities benefit from proximity to major economic centers, with Santa Clara's Silicon Valley location and Boston College's access to finance and healthcare industries driving salary premiums.

Is there significant variation in graduation rates among Catholic colleges?

Graduation rates span from 44.6% to 100% across Catholic institutions. St. Joseph's College of Nursing achieves perfect completion with 283 students, while larger universities like Notre Dame maintain 96.80% rates with 8,923 enrolled students, demonstrating strong outcomes across different institutional sizes and focuses.

What acceptance rates should students expect at Catholic colleges?

Catholic college acceptance rates range from Georgetown's highly selective 12.23% to more accessible options reaching 76.6%. Mid-tier institutions like Villanova accept 23.39% of applicants, while regional colleges often maintain acceptance rates above 50%, providing multiple pathways to Catholic higher education.

How do Catholic colleges support different career paths beyond traditional majors?

Catholic colleges serve varied professional tracks, from specialized nursing programs with 70-100% graduation rates to full universities preparing students for technology, finance, and public service. The $65,409 to $109,183 earnings range reflects career diversity, with technical programs and liberal arts degrees both leading to strong employment outcomes.

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Catholic Colleges