At $32,798/yr net price, The Catholic University of America graduates earn $73,250/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $39,250/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $32,798 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $131,192 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $73,250/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$39,250/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 81.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $22,216/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $19,709/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $25,667/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $31,131/yr |
| $110,001+ | $39,898/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $100,690 | $61,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Doctoral | $89,092 | |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Master | $73,769 | |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering. | Bachelor | $71,015 | |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $71,015 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $69,338 | $26,976 |
| Psychology, General. | Doctoral | $69,338 | |
| Civil Engineering. | Bachelor | $67,101 | $24,625 |
| Law. | Doctoral | $64,162 | $147,964 |
| Architecture and Related Services, Other. | Doctoral | $63,997 |
The Risk Factor
81.3% of students at The Catholic University of America graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
The Catholic University of America gives you a solid financial return, but the outcome depends heavily on your major. With median earnings of $73,250 ten years out and median debt held to $26,000, you graduate owing less than one year of typical post-degree pay. An 81% graduation rate and 83% retention mean most people who start actually finish, which is the single biggest factor in whether the price pays off at all.
Engineering and nursing carry the return here. Biomedical and electrical engineering top the list around $71,000, and civil engineering pairs strong pay with the lowest debt of the group at roughly $24,600. Nursing lands close behind and feeds directly into the DC-area hospital market. Mechanical engineering earns the least of the five listed programs while carrying the highest debt, so it's the weakest math among the technical majors. Note that every program-level salary above is for a bachelor's degree. the school's theology, philosophy, and humanities offerings aren't in this earnings data, and you should not assume they match these figures.
The main financial risk is the sticker price. At $32,798 a year, a humanities or arts degree with no salary data behind it is a real gamble, since the engineering and nursing numbers won't carry over. The net price tiers also work backward in one spot: families earning $48,000 to $75,000 pay more ($25,667) than families under $48,000, so a middle income doesn't guarantee a middle price.
This school fits you if you're heading into engineering or nursing and can land aid that pulls your net price toward the lower-income tiers. If you're paying the full $39,898 that families over $110,000 face and studying a field with no earnings track record here, look harder at cheaper options before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Catholic University of America worth the cost?
The Catholic University of America costs $32,798 annually and graduates earn a median of $73,250 after 10 years, which puts ROI in the middle range for private universities. Nursing and business programs show strong earning potential, but other majors may struggle to justify the cost.
What are the best paying majors at The Catholic University of America?
Nursing programs at The Catholic University of America lead earnings with graduates making around $100,690, followed by business administration at $89,092. Engineering and human resources programs also perform well, while other majors typically earn less than the school average.
How much debt do students graduate with from The Catholic University of America?
Students at The Catholic University of America graduate with a median debt of $26,000, which is manageable compared to the national average. The 81% graduation rate means most students finish their degrees, though one in five students leave without graduating.
Does The Catholic University of America offer good financial aid?
The Catholic University of America's net price of $32,798 suggests moderate financial aid since the sticker price is higher. Students should compare aid packages carefully, as the high acceptance rate of 86% may mean less merit aid competition than at more selective schools.