Best value Catholic colleges in the South

Catholic colleges in the South with a Faith grade of B or better, ranked by the value index: net price, graduation rate, earnings and debt.

11 schools qualify, ranked by value index.

How this list is made

Catholic undergraduate colleges on the Compass. Seminaries and graduate-only schools are not counted.
Faith grade B or better (Faith score 70 or higher). Cost and outcomes never change a grade.
In the South (U.S. Census Bureau region).
Has a value index from federal data (College Scorecard).
Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
Ordered by value index, highest first.

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

1
Georgetown University
Washington, DC · Private nonprofit
- Value index 67.7
- Net price $40,815 a year
2
University of St Thomas
Houston, TX · Private nonprofitHonor Roll
- Value index 66.5
- Net price $19,359 a year
3
University of Dallas
Irving, TX · Private nonprofitHonor Roll
- Value index 59.8
- Net price $22,610 a year
4
Loyola University Maryland
Baltimore, MD · Private nonprofit
- Value index 55.9
- Net price $30,574 a year
5
St. Mary's University
San Antonio, TX · Private nonprofit
- Value index 51.1
- Net price $21,145 a year
6
Xavier University of Louisiana
New Orleans, LA · Private nonprofit
- Value index 49.0
- Net price $17,127 a year
7
Loyola University New Orleans
New Orleans, LA · Private nonprofit
- Value index 44.6
- Net price $23,696 a year
8
Ave Maria University
Ave Maria, FL · Private nonprofitHonor Roll
- Value index 44.5
- Net price $24,860 a year
9
Spring Hill College
Mobile, AL · Private nonprofit
- Value index 41.7
- Net price $20,449 a year
10
Saint Leo University
Saint Leo, FL · Private nonprofit
- Value index 36.8
- Net price $21,293 a year
11
Belmont Abbey College
Belmont, NC · Private nonprofit
- Value index 32.8
- Net price $24,639 a year

School	Net price a year	Median debt	Earnings 10 years out	Graduation rate
Georgetown University	$40,815	$15,500	$103,494	95%
University of St Thomas	$19,359	$19,928	$59,224	69%
University of Dallas	$22,610	$23,117	$58,285	73%
Loyola University Maryland	$30,574	$27,000	$82,652	79%
St. Mary's University	$21,145	$25,563	$56,955	59%
Xavier University of Louisiana	$17,127	$24,053	$52,184	49%
Loyola University New Orleans	$23,696	$26,000	$52,927	59%
Ave Maria University	$24,860	$20,776	$49,520	54%
Spring Hill College	$20,449	$27,000	$51,500	52%
Saint Leo University	$21,293	$25,278	$48,364	45%
Belmont Abbey College	$24,639	$26,000	$47,937	47%

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