Best Catholic colleges
Catholic colleges ranked by the Compass Score: 75% faith (the four pillars) and 25% Academic Excellence. Seminaries and graduate-only schools are excluded.
Rankings
Ranked lists of Catholic colleges, Catholic high schools, and Catholic life on every campus, each computed from the published grades.
Graded so far: 139 of 193 Catholic colleges (undergraduate), 319 of 3,777 other colleges, 423 of 1,090 Catholic high schools.
Catholic colleges
Undergraduate Catholic colleges, graded on the four faith pillars. Each ranking below sorts them by faith, by one pillar, by academics, or by value.
Strongest Catholic identity
Catholic colleges ranked by Faith alone: the average of the four pillars, with academics left out.
Best Catholic colleges for sacramental life
How readily students can attend Mass, go to confession, pray before the Blessed Sacrament, and find a priest.
Best Catholic colleges for theology and the core curriculum
What every undergraduate must study in theology and philosophy, and how the core draws on the Catholic intellectual tradition.
Best Catholic colleges for campus culture and residence life
The reach of campus ministry, retreats and student faith groups, and the residence-hall policies many families ask about.
Best Catholic colleges for service and Catholic social teaching
Service programs, how Catholic social teaching enters the curriculum, and both pro-life and justice work tied to the mission.
Catholic colleges with the strongest academics
Every four-year Catholic college ranked by Academic Excellence from federal data: graduation, retention, entering students’ preparation, faculty attention, and instructional investment.
Best value Catholic colleges
Catholic colleges with a Faith grade of B or better, ranked by the value index, a composite of net price, graduation rate, earnings, and debt from federal data. The grades themselves are not changed by cost.
Honor Roll
Catholic schools with a Faith grade of A and no pillar below B.
Top ten Catholic colleges
| Rank | School | Compass ScoreCompass Score: Catholic identity (75%) and academics (25%) for Catholic schools. | FaithFaith: the average of the four faith pillars. Other colleges are graded on Catholic life on campus instead. | AcademicsAcademic Excellence: a score from federal data on graduation, retention, test scores, faculty ratio, and spending. It never uses rankings or surveys. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Notre DameCatholic School Compass Honor Roll: a Faith score of 85 or higher (grade A), with all four faith pillars rated and none below 70.Catholic college: federal data lists a Roman Catholic affiliation (or it has been verified as Catholic), so it gets the full four-pillar faith scorecard. | AFaith: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.90 | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.100 | |
| 2 | Providence CollegeCatholic School Compass Honor Roll: a Faith score of 85 or higher (grade A), with all four faith pillars rated and none below 70.Catholic college: federal data lists a Roman Catholic affiliation (or it has been verified as Catholic), so it gets the full four-pillar faith scorecard. | AFaith: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.91 | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.93 | |
| 3 | Boston CollegeCatholic School Compass Honor Roll: a Faith score of 85 or higher (grade A), with all four faith pillars rated and none below 70.Catholic college: federal data lists a Roman Catholic affiliation (or it has been verified as Catholic), so it gets the full four-pillar faith scorecard. | AFaith: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.87 | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.98 | |
| 4 | University of ScrantonCatholic School Compass Honor Roll: a Faith score of 85 or higher (grade A), with all four faith pillars rated and none below 70.Catholic college: federal data lists a Roman Catholic affiliation (or it has been verified as Catholic), so it gets the full four-pillar faith scorecard. | AFaith: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.90 | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.84 | |
| 5 | Saint Joseph's University - PhiladelphiaCatholic School Compass Honor Roll: a Faith score of 85 or higher (grade A), with all four faith pillars rated and none below 70.Catholic college: federal data lists a Roman Catholic affiliation (or it has been verified as Catholic), so it gets the full four-pillar faith scorecard. | AFaith: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.89 | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.85 | |
| 6 | Georgetown UniversityCompass Recommended: a Faith score of 80 or higher, at least three of the four pillars rated, and none below C (55). A school with an Academic Excellence score must also reach 80 on its Compass Score.Catholic college: federal data lists a Roman Catholic affiliation (or it has been verified as Catholic), so it gets the full four-pillar faith scorecard. | BFaith: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.84 | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.98 | |
| 7 | Thomas Aquinas CollegeCompass Recommended: a Faith score of 80 or higher, at least three of the four pillars rated, and none below C (55). A school with an Academic Excellence score must also reach 80 on its Compass Score.Catholic college: federal data lists a Roman Catholic affiliation (or it has been verified as Catholic), so it gets the full four-pillar faith scorecard. | AFaith: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.86 | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.92 | |
| =8 (tied) | Fordham UniversityCatholic School Compass Honor Roll: a Faith score of 85 or higher (grade A), with all four faith pillars rated and none below 70.Catholic college: federal data lists a Roman Catholic affiliation (or it has been verified as Catholic), so it gets the full four-pillar faith scorecard. | AFaith: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.87 | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.89 | |
| =8 (tied) | University of MaryCompass Recommended: a Faith score of 80 or higher, at least three of the four pillars rated, and none below C (55). A school with an Academic Excellence score must also reach 80 on its Compass Score.Catholic college: federal data lists a Roman Catholic affiliation (or it has been verified as Catholic), so it gets the full four-pillar faith scorecard. | AFaith: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.93 | CAcademics: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.70 | |
| 10 | Benedictine CollegeCatholic School Compass Honor Roll: a Faith score of 85 or higher (grade A), with all four faith pillars rated and none below 70.Catholic college: federal data lists a Roman Catholic affiliation (or it has been verified as Catholic), so it gets the full four-pillar faith scorecard. | AFaith: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.93 | CAcademics: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.68 |
Sorted by Compass Score, highest first
- 1University of Notre DameCatholic School Compass Honor Roll: a Faith score of 85 or higher (grade A), with all four faith pillars rated and none below 70.Catholic college: federal data lists a Roman Catholic affiliation (or it has been verified as Catholic), so it gets the full four-pillar faith scorecard.
- FaithAFaith: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.90
- AcademicsAAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.100
- 2Providence CollegeCatholic School Compass Honor Roll: a Faith score of 85 or higher (grade A), with all four faith pillars rated and none below 70.Catholic college: federal data lists a Roman Catholic affiliation (or it has been verified as Catholic), so it gets the full four-pillar faith scorecard.
- FaithAFaith: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.91
- AcademicsAAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.93
- 3Boston CollegeCatholic School Compass Honor Roll: a Faith score of 85 or higher (grade A), with all four faith pillars rated and none below 70.Catholic college: federal data lists a Roman Catholic affiliation (or it has been verified as Catholic), so it gets the full four-pillar faith scorecard.
- FaithAFaith: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.87
- AcademicsAAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.98
- 4University of ScrantonCatholic School Compass Honor Roll: a Faith score of 85 or higher (grade A), with all four faith pillars rated and none below 70.Catholic college: federal data lists a Roman Catholic affiliation (or it has been verified as Catholic), so it gets the full four-pillar faith scorecard.
- FaithAFaith: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.90
- AcademicsBAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.84
- 5Saint Joseph's University - PhiladelphiaCatholic School Compass Honor Roll: a Faith score of 85 or higher (grade A), with all four faith pillars rated and none below 70.Catholic college: federal data lists a Roman Catholic affiliation (or it has been verified as Catholic), so it gets the full four-pillar faith scorecard.
- FaithAFaith: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.89
- AcademicsAAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.85
- 6Georgetown UniversityCompass Recommended: a Faith score of 80 or higher, at least three of the four pillars rated, and none below C (55). A school with an Academic Excellence score must also reach 80 on its Compass Score.Catholic college: federal data lists a Roman Catholic affiliation (or it has been verified as Catholic), so it gets the full four-pillar faith scorecard.
- FaithBFaith: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.84
- AcademicsAAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.98
- 7Thomas Aquinas CollegeCompass Recommended: a Faith score of 80 or higher, at least three of the four pillars rated, and none below C (55). A school with an Academic Excellence score must also reach 80 on its Compass Score.Catholic college: federal data lists a Roman Catholic affiliation (or it has been verified as Catholic), so it gets the full four-pillar faith scorecard.
- FaithAFaith: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.86
- AcademicsAAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.92
- =8 (tied)Fordham UniversityCatholic School Compass Honor Roll: a Faith score of 85 or higher (grade A), with all four faith pillars rated and none below 70.Catholic college: federal data lists a Roman Catholic affiliation (or it has been verified as Catholic), so it gets the full four-pillar faith scorecard.
- FaithAFaith: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.87
- AcademicsAAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.89
- =8 (tied)University of MaryCompass Recommended: a Faith score of 80 or higher, at least three of the four pillars rated, and none below C (55). A school with an Academic Excellence score must also reach 80 on its Compass Score.Catholic college: federal data lists a Roman Catholic affiliation (or it has been verified as Catholic), so it gets the full four-pillar faith scorecard.
- FaithAFaith: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.93
- AcademicsCAcademics: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.70
- 10Benedictine CollegeCatholic School Compass Honor Roll: a Faith score of 85 or higher (grade A), with all four faith pillars rated and none below 70.Catholic college: federal data lists a Roman Catholic affiliation (or it has been verified as Catholic), so it gets the full four-pillar faith scorecard.
- FaithAFaith: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.93
- AcademicsCAcademics: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.68
Your own weights
All colleges · Catholic life
These lists rank every college with a Catholic Life Score, Catholic and not: 75% campus Catholic life (campus ministry, Mass and confession, priests, student groups, nearby parishes) and 25% academics, one definition for every college. Catholic colleges receive it too, derived from their researched facts. Their Compass Score stays their headline. Public and private colleges are slices of the same ranking. See how we rate.
Best Catholic life at all colleges
Every college with a Catholic Life Score, Catholic and not: campus Catholic life (75%: campus ministry, priests, Mass and confession, student groups, nearby parishes) and academics (25%), on one yardstick.
Best Catholic life at Catholic colleges
Catholic colleges ranked by the Catholic Life Score: 75% campus Catholic life and 25% academics, the same measure used for every college. Each one’s Compass Score remains its headline.
Best Catholic campus ministries at public universities
Public non-Catholic universities ranked by the Catholic Life Score: 75% campus Catholic life (campus ministry, priests, Mass and confession, student groups, nearby parishes) and 25% academics, the same measure used for every college.
Best Catholic campus ministries at private universities
Private non-Catholic colleges ranked by the Catholic Life Score: 75% campus Catholic life and 25% academics, the same measure used for every college.
Catholic high schools
Best Catholic high schools
Catholic high schools ranked by the Compass Score: 75% faith (the four pillars) and 25% academic indicators from federal data.
Catholic high schools with the strongest Catholic identity
Catholic high schools ranked by Faith alone: the average of the four pillars.
Top lists
Shorter lists on a single theme, built from the same grades and federal data. A list appears once at least five schools qualify.
Faith life
- Best Catholic colleges137 schools
- Catholic colleges with Mass every weekday86 schools
- Catholic colleges with weekly or perpetual adoration68 schools
- Catholic colleges that require the most theology64 schools
- Catholic colleges that require Catholic theology41 schools
- Catholic colleges with single-sex residence halls45 schools
- Catholic colleges with the strongest sacramental life129 schools
- Catholic colleges with the strongest Catholic core126 schools
- Catholic colleges with the strongest campus culture127 schools
- Catholic colleges with the strongest service and justice136 schools
- Catholic colleges with a full-time priest chaplain99 schools
Religious orders
- Best Jesuit colleges26 schools
- Best Franciscan colleges16 schools
- Best Benedictine colleges12 schools
- Best Dominican colleges8 schools
- Best Mercy colleges9 schools
- Best Holy Cross colleges6 schools
- Best Lasallian colleges5 schools
By major
- Best Catholic colleges for nursing103 schools
- Best Catholic colleges for engineering60 schools
- Best Catholic colleges for business135 schools
- Best Catholic colleges for education125 schools
- Best Catholic colleges for biology and pre-med133 schools
- Best Catholic colleges for psychology134 schools
- Best Catholic colleges for theology63 schools
- Best Catholic colleges for philosophy104 schools
- Best Catholic colleges for computer science75 schools
- Best Catholic colleges for communications and journalism123 schools
Cost and value
- Best value Catholic colleges82 schools
- Most affordable Catholic colleges with a strong faith grade82 schools
- Catholic colleges with the biggest discount off the sticker price82 schools
- Lowest net price for middle-income families82 schools
- Catholic colleges with the lowest student debt82 schools
- Catholic colleges with the best earnings for the price82 schools
- Catholic colleges that pay for themselves fastest79 schools
- Best Catholic colleges under $20,000 a year11 schools
- Hidden gem Catholic colleges7 schools
- Best value Catholic colleges in the Northeast30 schools
- Best value Catholic colleges in the Midwest29 schools
- Best value Catholic colleges in the South11 schools
- Best value Catholic colleges in the West11 schools
Outcomes and size
- Catholic colleges with the highest graduation rates136 schools
- Best small Catholic colleges64 schools
- Best large Catholic colleges6 schools
- Catholic colleges where the most freshmen return82 schools
- Catholic colleges with the most faculty per student82 schools
- Catholic colleges that spend the most on teaching82 schools
- Catholic colleges where Pell Grant students thrive10 schools
- Most selective Catholic colleges82 schools
By place
- Best Catholic colleges in the New York area11 schools
- Best Catholic colleges in the Chicago area7 schools
- Best Catholic colleges in the Boston area7 schools
- Best Catholic colleges in the Philadelphia area8 schools
- Best Catholic high schools in the New York area20 schools
- Best Catholic high schools in the Chicago area15 schools
- Best Catholic high schools in the Boston area17 schools
- Best Catholic high schools in the Philadelphia area14 schools
- Best Catholic high schools in the Los Angeles area13 schools
- Best Catholic high schools in the Washington, DC area18 schools
- Best Catholic high schools in the San Francisco Bay Area area12 schools
- Best Catholic high schools in the St. Louis area11 schools
- Best Catholic high schools in the Cleveland area5 schools
- Best Catholic high schools in the Pittsburgh area6 schools
Catholic life elsewhere
- Best Catholic life at Ivy League universities8 schools
- Best Catholic life at the 50 largest four-year universities25 schools
- Best Catholic life at Big Ten universities14 schools
- Best Catholic life at SEC universities13 schools
- Best Catholic life at ACC universities15 schools
- Best Catholic life at Big 12 universities14 schools
High schools
- Best Catholic high schools419 schools
- Best all-boys Catholic high schools57 schools
- Best all-girls Catholic high schools42 schools
- Catholic high schools with daily Mass104 schools
By state
Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming · Puerto Rico · Guam · U.S. Virgin Islands · American Samoa · Northern Mariana Islands
By region
Northeast · Midwest · South · West · Territories