For centuries, the Catholic Church was central to higher ed, with Medieval and Renaissance-era schools setting standards for scholarly life. A lot has changed in a millennium, but what hasn’t changed is the academic reputation of Catholic education. From business and law to medicine and STEM research, Catholic colleges and universities continue to develop and transform, while holding on to the traditions of faith, community, and service leadership that define Catholic education.
Whether Catholic or not, students can look to College Consensus rankings for guidance to the college or university that meets their need for academic, professional, social, and personal growth and development.
The College Consensus ranking of the Best Catholic Colleges & Universities is comprehensive by design, bringing the results of the most trusted ranking publishers together with the most reputable student review sites. Catholic colleges and universities have long been an international standard for academic quality and rigor, but prospective students can look to College Consensus for a thorough look at the Catholic universities in America recognized as the best across the board. With a wide selection of Catholic colleges and universities in the US, students trust College Consensus’ ranking to show them the choice that is right for their needs.
How Did We Make Our Catholic Colleges Ranking of the Best Catholic Colleges & Universities?
College Consensus rankings combine the results of the most respected college ranking systems with the averaged ratings of thousands of real student reviews from around the web to create a unique college meta-ranking. This approach offers a comprehensive and holistic perspective missing from other college rankings. Visit our about page for information on which rankings and review sites were included in this year’s consensus rankings.
The Catholic Colleges & Universities category is limited to schools designated as Roman Catholic by the National Center for Education Statistics.
What’s Different About College Consensus Rankings?
College Consensus’ aggregate rankings are designed for new students and their families, who want a simpler way to compare colleges. There’s an overwhelming number of college rankings out there, all with their own methods, emphases, and biases, but College Consensus cuts through it all by taking in each other reputable ranking and student review. By putting expert and students’ perspectives on an equal footing, College Consensus intends to help students and families see the full scope of how their choices stack up against each other.
Note: The Top Consensus Ranked Catholic Colleges are listed in descending order by their Consensus score. In the event of ties, schools are ranked in alphabetical order with the same rank number.
1
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN
2
Georgetown University
Washington, DC
3
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA
4
College of the Holy Cross
Worcester, MA
5
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA
6
Villanova University
Villanova, PA
7
University of Dallas
Irving, TX
8
John Carroll University
University Heights, OH
9
Siena College
Loudonville, NY
10
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI
11
Saint Martin’s University
Lacey, WA
12
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA
13
Le Moyne College
Syracuse, NY
14
University of San Diego
San Diego, CA
15
Saint Mary’s College
Notre Dame, IN
16
College of Saint Benedict
Saint Joseph, MN
17
Mount Saint Mary’s University (CA)
Los Angeles, CA
18
University of Portland
Portland, OR
19
Providence College
Providence, RI
20
Manhattan College
Riverdale, NY
21
Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA
22
Loyola University Maryland
Baltimore, MD
23
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, MO
24
Saint Mary’s College of California
Moraga, CA
25
University of Scranton
Scranton, PA
26
Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL
27
Fordham University
Bronx, NY
28
University of Dayton
Dayton, OH
29
Stonehill College
Easton, MA
30
Rockhurst University
Kansas City, MO
31
Niagara University
Niagara University, NY
32
Creighton University
Omaha, NE
33
The College of Saint Scholastica
Duluth, MN
34
Saint Joseph’s University
Philadelphia, PA
35
Fairfield University
Fairfield, CT
36
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL
37
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
38
Saint Vincent College
Latrobe, PA
39
The Catholic University of America
Washington, DC
40
Holy Family University
Philadelphia, PA
41
Assumption University
Worcester, MA
42
Seattle University
Seattle, WA
43
University of St Thomas (MN)
Saint Paul, MN
44
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL
45
Molloy College
Rockville Centre, NY
46
DePaul University
Chicago, IL
47
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA
48
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ
49
Ave Maria University
Ave Maria, FL
50
University of Detroit Mercy
Detroit, MI
What Makes Catholic College Exceptional?
If you are wondering about the benefits of Catholic higher education, they are as follows:
- Catholic Atmosphere: One of the top benefits of attending a Catholic school is that you will be going to school in a Catholic atmosphere. Staying the course can be difficult for students and this is especially the case when they attend schools that do not promote living a Catholic lifestyle. However, by choosing to attend a Catholic college, you will eliminate many unnecessary distractions and you will be better able to focus on what matters most, school and religion.
- Catholic Spiritual Development: Another top benefit of attending a Catholic college is that it will help foster your spiritual growth. Worldly colleges are filled with distractions that serve to undermine your growth as a Christian. However, by attending a Catholic college, you will be able to deal with teachers, students, and other professionals who are interested in your spiritual development. Additionally, there are also many departments and resources dedicated to making sure your stay on track on a scholastic and spiritual level.
- Catholic Intellectual Tradition: As you already are aware, Catholic schools do not only focus on religion. In fact, being better educated and more involved in the community are innate to the Catholic Faith. So, not only will you receive opportunities to advance your religious schools of thought, but you will also be encouraged to participate in sports, politics, general interest clubs, and more.
Are Catholic Colleges Harder Than Secular Colleges?
If you are wondering if a Catholic university is harder than secular colleges, that is a bit of a loaded question. Catholic education benefits a lot of students. However, this is not without its costs. On the one hand, while a Catholic university tend to be stricter with regard to the rules and regulations, they also make it easier for Catholic students to feel accepted and heard. While attending a secular college may allow you more leniency in terms of your lifestyle choices, many Catholic students assert that they feel their faith is being undermined when attending a Catholic institution.
Additionally, in terms of Catholic education benefits, there is more of an innate respect for authority imparted on all students while attending Catholic colleges. This often takes Catholic students far in the working world. The values of receiving a Catholic education lie in the fact that you will be well educated and stronger in your faith when you attend a Catholic college. However, if you are looking to live more of a secular lifestyle in college, Catholic institutions can be quite challenging. If you attended Catholic church prior to college, you may find it to be an easy fit. However, if Catholic church wasn’t part of your experience, or you don’t identify with a Catholic heritage, you may feel like an outsider.
Are Catholic Colleges Really Conservative?
As with all colleges, this depends on which Catholic university you attend. On the one hand, conservative catholic colleges exist. Many colleges have a reputation for being exceptionally conservative and this is not just a myth. These schools tend to make their expectations well-known, therefore, they typically attract students that are willing to adhere to their rules and regulations. The most conservative Catholic university already has a reputation for being so. On the other hand, if you are considering attending a college that does not have such a reputation, they may be more on the liberal side of things.
What States Have the Most Catholic Colleges?
Which states have the most Catholic colleges:
- Catholic universities in California: There are 11 Catholic colleges in California.
- Catholic universities in Texas: There are 7 Catholic colleges in Texas.
- Catholic colleges in New York: There are 17 Catholic colleges in New York.
- Catholic colleges in Florida: There are 5 Catholic colleges in Florida.
- Catholic colleges in New England: There is a total of 29 Catholic colleges in the New England area.
