Choosing Catholic Higher Education
Whether you are a faithful practitioner of the Catholic tradition or have no affiliation, you'll find that Catholic higher education offers a unique path: delivering academic excellence, preparing students to become leaders, and exploring today’s professional responsibilities while incorporating personal responsibility for social justice.
A long tradition of academic excellence
Catholic colleges and universities are universally renowned for their academic excellence and are among the world's most prestigious learning institutions. Many Catholic institutions are cited again and again in college rankings featured in U.S. News & World Report, Barron's, Time, and Money magazines. Catholic education is synonymous with critical thinking, evaluating society's challenges, and bringing intelligence, practicality, and ethics to problem-solving. Catholic colleges foster creativity and independence: you’ll discover and develop gifts that lead you to make great contributions to society.
A holistic learning environment
In college you’re not just preparing for life — you’re living it! That’s why Catholic colleges and universities focus on developing well-rounded graduates, capable of creative problem-solving and rising to meet challenges, both inside and outside the classroom. The sense of community drives the experience, with opportunities to develop responsibility as part of service clubs, spiritual retreats, professional and social clubs, and more.
A values-oriented education
Catholic colleges and universities offer a strong foundation for fostering faith development for students coming from all faith traditions, or no faith tradition. Catholic students will find fellowship and worship opportunities through organizations, Mass offerings, and retreats. Students of other (or no) faith traditions will find a welcoming community made up of diverse perspectives. The values-oriented education that comes from conversations about faith and ethics shapes today's students into tomorrow's leaders — ethical decision-makers, committed individuals, and fully prepared respondents meeting society's increasing challenges.
The call to serve
Education for action and service is woven into the core of academics and co-curricular programs. Students are educated on issues of social justice and how to use their talents and gifts to enact change. You’ll find that the call to service is more than filler for your résumé; it is a way of life that will stay with you long after you graduate. The result is a legacy of graduates who are prepared for a happy life because they value service, community, learning and action.
Diversity of options
Catholic colleges and universities in the United States are extremely diverse, with each institution offering distinctive strengths — academically, culturally and spiritually. In choosing the right school for you, consider enrollment size; location; or academic, athletic and social offerings. You'll find women’s colleges; a historically black university; major universities with law, medical, and other professional schools; and institutions granting pontifical degrees. You might also consider the religious order of the institution and its particular mission, finding one that resonates with you.
"At its best, Catholic education is inclusive, transformative, and offers students the opportunity to develop themselves spiritually, academically, and emotionally...Catholic education emphasizes the utilization of God's gifts for the betterment of the world in which we exist."
– Brian Troyer, Dean of Admissions, Marquette University (WI)
