Rankings and Recognitions

Leading With Light | The Nation's Premiere Catholic University

Top academics, thriving community, and a beautiful, green campus are just the beginning of Catholic University's national leadership, as reflected in an array of rankings, recognitions, and other honors. We are committed to excellence in all areas at our institution.

Top Awards & Recognitions

• Top 50 “Best Catholic Colleges” in the U.S. — Niche
• Top 75 “Best Value Colleges” — U.S. News & World Report
• “Colleges of Distinction 2024-2025” — Colleges of Distinction
• “Guide to Green Colleges: 2025 Edition” — Princeton Review

Catholic Excellence

Catholic University remains the only comprehensive research university recommended by the Newman Guide, which highlights faithfully Catholic colleges.

More of the Best

• One of Princeton Review's Best 390 Colleges in America
• Catholic University was ranked by the college guide publisher Niche on lists for 
  • 100 Best Catholic Colleges in the U.S.
  • Best Colleges in America
• Catholic University is ranked #74 for best value by U.S. News and World Report.
• Catholic University is in the Colleges of Distinction, a group of fewer than 400 institutions from across the nation assessed for their strengths in four primary areas of student and family interest: quality of teaching, student engagement, sense of community, and successful postgraduate outcomes.

Sustainability

• #21 Best Green Colleges in the U.S. (College Consensus)
• The University is recognized as a STARS Silver Institution by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.

Military

• Silver Military Friendly® Ranking 4-years running
• The Catholic University of America also was ranked #13 in the mid-Atlantic region by Military Times for their 2023 Best for Vets: Colleges list. 

Schools & Academics

Here are just a few of the top rankings our schools have landed in recent years:

• U.S. News & World Report included the School of Engineering on its lists of Best Engineering Schools, Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs, and Best Graduate Engineering Programs.
  • The engineering school is also considered a Best College for Engineering in America by Niche.
• The Columbus School of Law is ranked within the top 100 U.S. News & World Report's Best Law Schools in America.
• The Conway School of Nursing was ranked #27 on the U.S. News and World Report’s list of the 220 Best Graduate Schools for Nursing. 
  • The online master's in nursing program is #32 in the nation.
  • The undergraduate program in nursing is #43 in the country, placing it in the top six percent of nursing programs.
• U.S. News & World Report ranked four of Catholic University’s Arts and Sciences graduate programs in its top 200 list: English, History, Political Science, and Psychology. 
• Niche names the School of Philosophy among the nation's top 100 Best Colleges for Philosophy in America.
• The National Catholic School of Social Service continues to be a U.S. News & World Report Best School for Social Work.