Hidden gem Catholic colleges
Strong faith life and solid results at a below-average sticker price, at colleges that admit most applicants.
7 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
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 80 or higher).
- Graduation rate of 60% or more and median earnings ten years after enrolling of $50,000 or more from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Sticker price (cost of attendance) below the median for Catholic colleges on the Compass, and an admission rate of 50% or more.
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 12, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
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Benedictine College
Atchison, KS · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- Sticker price $52,206 a year
- 62% graduate
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Franciscan University of Steubenville
Steubenville, OH · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- Sticker price $44,580 a year
- 75% graduate
- 5
University of St Thomas
Houston, TX · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- Sticker price $45,672 a year
- 69% graduate
- 6
John Paul the Great Catholic University
Escondido, CA · Private nonprofit- Sticker price $52,367 a year
- 64% graduate
- 7
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas Aquinas College | $26,196 | $18,000 | $55,619 | 84% |
| University of Mary | $17,770 | $24,000 | $60,909 | 67% |
| Benedictine College | $27,891 | $24,599 | $53,175 | 62% |
| Franciscan University of Steubenville | $23,589 | $23,384 | $50,030 | 75% |
| University of St Thomas | $19,359 | $19,928 | $59,224 | 69% |
| John Paul the Great Catholic University | $34,666 | $26,968 | $56,930 | 64% |
| Holy Cross College | $26,728 | $24,000 | $50,416 | 73% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.