Catholic School CompassAuthentically Catholic.

Catholic colleges that require the most theology

Catholic colleges that require every bachelor’s student to take three or more theology courses, then those that require two.

64 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score. The top 25 are shown.

How this list is made

  • Catholic undergraduate colleges on the Compass. Seminaries and graduate-only schools are not counted.
  • Theology or religious studies courses required of all bachelor’s students: three or more, or two.
  • Schools requiring three or more courses come first, then schools requiring two. Within each group, higher Compass Score comes first.
  • Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.

Updated Oct. 12, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.

  1. 1

    Thomas Aquinas College

    Santa Paula, CA · Private nonprofit
    • 3+ required theology courses
    • Required Catholic theology
  2. 2

    Benedictine College

    Atchison, KS · Private nonprofitHonor Roll
    • 3+ required theology courses
    • Required Catholic theology
  3. 3

    Santa Clara University

    Santa Clara, CA · Private nonprofit
    • 3+ required theology courses
  4. 4

    Ave Maria University

    Ave Maria, FL · Private nonprofitHonor Roll
    • 3+ required theology courses
  5. 5

    Christendom College

    Front Royal, VA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll
    • 3+ required theology courses
    • Required Catholic theology
  6. 6

    John Paul the Great Catholic University

    Escondido, CA · Private nonprofit
    • 3+ required theology courses
    • Required Catholic theology
  7. 7

    Manhattan University

    Riverdale, NY · Private nonprofit
    • 3+ required theology courses
    • Required Catholic theology
  8. 8

    Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce

    Ponce, PR · Private nonprofit
    • 3+ required theology courses
    • Required Catholic theology
  9. 9

    University of Notre Dame

    Notre Dame, IN · Private nonprofitHonor Roll
    • 2 required theology courses
    • Required Catholic theology
  10. 10

    Providence College

    Providence, RI · Private nonprofitHonor Roll
    • 2 required theology courses
    • Required Catholic theology
  11. 11

    Boston College

    Chestnut Hill, MA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll
    • 2 required theology courses
  12. 12

    University of Scranton

    Scranton, PA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll
    • 2 required theology courses
    • Required Catholic theology
  13. 13

    Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia

    Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll
    • 2 required theology courses
    • Required Catholic theology
  14. 14

    Georgetown University

    Washington, DC · Private nonprofit
    • 2 required theology courses
  15. 15

    Fordham University

    Bronx, NY · Private nonprofitHonor Roll
    • 2 required theology courses
  16. 16

    Creighton University

    Omaha, NE · Private nonprofit
    • 2 required theology courses
  17. 17

    Franciscan University of Steubenville

    Steubenville, OH · Private nonprofitHonor Roll
    • 2 required theology courses
    • Required Catholic theology
  18. 18

    University of Dallas

    Irving, TX · Private nonprofitHonor Roll
    • 2 required theology courses
    • Required Catholic theology
  19. 19

    University of Portland

    Portland, OR · Private nonprofit
    • 2 required theology courses
  20. 20

    Loyola Marymount University

    Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit
    • 2 required theology courses
  21. 21

    University of St Thomas

    Houston, TX · Private nonprofitHonor Roll
    • 2 required theology courses
    • Required Catholic theology
  22. 22

    Seattle University

    Seattle, WA · Private nonprofit
    • 2 required theology courses
    • Required Catholic theology
  23. 23

    University of San Diego

    San Diego, CA · Private nonprofit
    • 2 required theology courses
  24. 24

    St. John's University-New York

    Queens, NY · Private nonprofitHonor Roll
    • 2 required theology courses
    • Required Catholic theology
  25. 25

    Assumption University

    Worcester, MA · Private nonprofit
    • 2 required theology courses
    • Required Catholic theology

Compare cost and outcomes

SchoolNet price a yearMedian debtEarnings 10 years outGraduation rate
Thomas Aquinas College$26,196$18,000$55,61984%
Benedictine College$27,891$24,599$53,17562%
Santa Clara University$50,062$19,162$109,18388%
Ave Maria University$24,860$20,776$49,52054%
John Paul the Great Catholic University$34,666$26,968$56,93064%
Manhattan University$27,256$26,000$86,31664%
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce$13,192$15,500$24,90849%
University of Notre Dame$26,780$19,000$99,98095%
Providence College$48,523$27,000$87,05486%
Boston College$41,704$19,000$103,93791%
University of Scranton$32,568$27,000$74,65280%
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia$29,689$25,500$86,88179%
Georgetown University$40,815$15,500$103,49495%
Fordham University$44,338$24,300$85,56982%
Creighton University$31,568$25,000$73,91183%
Franciscan University of Steubenville$23,589$23,384$50,03075%
University of Dallas$22,610$23,117$58,28573%
University of Portland$28,210$21,370$82,80480%
Loyola Marymount University$48,381$19,500$78,34979%
University of St Thomas$19,359$19,928$59,22469%
Seattle University$34,662$19,883$75,27276%
University of San Diego$30,365$22,940$86,52284%
St. John's University-New York$29,999$25,000$69,57166%
Assumption University$29,498$27,000$74,89575%

Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.

By state

All top school lists →