Catholic colleges where Pell Grant students thrive
Catholic colleges where at least a third of students receive federal Pell Grants, ranked by graduation rate.
Catholic colleges where Pell Grant students thrive10 schools
10 schools qualify, ranked by graduation rate.
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.
- At least a third of undergraduates receive Pell Grants, and the college has a graduation rate from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by graduation rate, highest first.
Updated Oct. 12, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
University of St. Thomas
Houston, TX · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- 69% graduate
- 42% receive Pell Grants
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN · Private nonprofit- 55% graduate
- 44% receive Pell Grants
- 7
- 8
- 9
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce
Ponce, PR · Private nonprofit- 49% graduate
- 81% receive Pell Grants
- 10
Xavier University of Louisiana
New Orleans, LA · Private nonprofit- 49% graduate
- 54% receive Pell Grants
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of St. Thomas | $19,359 | $19,928 | $59,224 | 69% |
| Manhattan University | $27,256 | $26,000 | $86,316 | 64% |
| Loyola University New Orleans | $23,696 | $26,000 | $52,927 | 59% |
| St. Mary's University | $21,145 | $25,563 | $56,955 | 59% |
| Alvernia University | $28,138 | $27,000 | $55,055 | 56% |
| University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne | $18,196 | $25,976 | $55,362 | 55% |
| Neumann University | $27,804 | $27,000 | $57,817 | 54% |
| Benedictine University | $22,313 | $22,500 | $63,446 | 50% |
| Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce | $13,192 | $15,500 | $24,908 | 49% |
| Xavier University of Louisiana | $17,127 | $24,053 | $52,184 | 49% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.