Washington, DC · Private University
Is The Catholic University of America Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$73,250
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$55,834
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$55,834
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$223,336
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.31x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
5.8 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
81.3%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$26,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$32,798
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
The Catholic University of America graduates earn $28,250 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at The Catholic University of America ranked by graduate earnings
38 graduates
17 graduates
20 graduates
22 graduates
100 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at The Catholic University of America
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At The Catholic University of America, the gap between the highest-earning major (Finance and Financial Management Services: $87,663) and the lowest (Music: $35,385) is $52,278/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management ServicesBest ROI | $87,663 | 1.6x |
| Civil Engineering | $83,146 | 1.5x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $82,248 | 1.5x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $80,518 | 1.4x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $79,813 | 1.4x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $69,409 | 1.2x |
| Marketing | $67,030 | 1.2x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $62,150 | 1.1x |
| Political Science and Government | $61,154 | 1.1x |
| Architecture | $58,215 | 1.0x |
| Psychology, General | $55,808 | 1.0x |
| MusicLowest | $35,385 | 0.6x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
The Catholic University of America delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $73,250 10 years after starting, $28,250 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 5.8 years, faster than most colleges.
Ready to apply to The Catholic University of America?
See your odds of admission based on your GPA and test scores.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.