If you’re interested in earning your degree at a Catholic college or university, you have great options all across the country. This time we’re focusing on the Northeastern and Southern United States. To help simplify your search, we’ve made it easy to quickly connect with all the schools on this list. Just click the “Connect me” button underneath each featured school, then they'll reach out to you with more information to aid in your college search. Let’s get started!
Caldwell University
Caldwell University is a church-affiliated liberal arts institution with a 70-acre campus in Caldwell, New Jersey—20 miles from New York City. The University enrolls approximately 2,300 full-time, part-time, and graduate students while offering small class sizes and a 13:1 student-faculty ratio. On the annual Service Day, classes are canceled as students, faculty, and staff provide assistance at various locations in New Jersey, from helping local food banks to painting classrooms in local Catholic schools to providing companionship to the elderly.
College of the Holy Cross
College of the Holy Cross is an exclusively undergraduate private liberal arts institution located on a 174-acre campus in Worcester, Massachusetts—around 50 miles from Boston. At Holy Cross, students design their own course of study with a curriculum consisting of common requirements, a major, and freely elected courses—allowing you to combine majors and/or add a minor or concentration. The College also offers many opportunities to participate in dialogues, identify and pursue your passions, and engage in meaningful community service.
Georgian Court University
Georgian Court University is a church-affiliated, coeducational liberal arts university with a 156-acre campus in Lakewood, New Jersey—60 miles from both Philadelphia and New York City. The University provides a comprehensive liberal arts education in the Roman Catholic tradition while maintaining its special, historic focus on the education of women. The Office of Campus Ministry supports the spiritual growth of all members of the GCU community and offers a wide range of programs and events to nurture spirituality, deepen a sense of vocation, and embody mercy.
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Iona University
Iona University is a coeducational Roman Catholic liberal arts institution with a 45-acre campus located on the Long Island Sound in New Rochelle, New York—just 16 miles from New York City. The University enrolls approximately 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students from diverse backgrounds and 43 countries while offering more than 60 combined programs of study in the School of Arts & Science and the School of Business. Iona’s Office of Mission & Ministry fosters a caring community through campus events, mission trips, and thousands of hours of volunteer service each year.
Loyola University Maryland
Loyola University Maryland is a comprehensive Catholic, Jesuit institution located in Baltimore, Maryland. With just under 4,000 undergraduates from 40 states, six continents, and more than 40 countries, Loyola is big enough to inspire and challenge you yet small enough to be welcoming, personal, and accessible. The University offers a distinctly taught Jesuit approach to education that allows students to master the skills and develop the knowledge and traits they need to learn, lead, and serve in a diverse and ever-changing world.
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Sacred Heart University
Sacred Heart University is a private coeducational institution with a 50-acre campus located in Fairfield, Connecticut. As the second-largest Catholic university in New England, SHU provides students with an education rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition. Approximately 9,000 students are enrolled in more than 80 undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs, benefitting from professional career coaches and peer mentors, short-term and semester-long programs around the globe, a First-Year Experience course, and more.
Saint Francis University
Saint Francis University is a church-affiliated college of liberal arts and sciences with a 600-acre campus in Loretto, Pennsylvania—90 miles east of Pittsburgh. Founded in 1847, SFU is one of the oldest Catholic universities in the country and the oldest one dedicated to Franciscan values. The University was also named the safest college campus in Pennsylvania by Niche for its safe and healthy environment with little or no campus crime, drugs, or alcohol usage.
Saint Joseph’s University
Saint Joseph’s University is a private four-year coeducational institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1851 by the Society of Jesus, Saint Joseph’s is the only Jesuit university in Philadelphia and provides a welcoming atmosphere for students from all backgrounds. Students make strong efforts to strengthen the local community and influence how the world around them works by spending semester breaks volunteering in places like Belgium, El Salvador, El Paso, Appalachia, and Guatemala.
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Salve Regina University
Salve Regina University is a private, church-affiliated liberal arts university with an 80-acre campus located in Newport, Rhode Island—35 miles from Providence. More than 2,700 undergraduate and graduate students can choose from 46 majors, 42 minors, and options to pursue combined bachelor’s/master’s degrees. The University’s long-established Sisters of Mercy and Catholic liberal arts traditions broaden minds, appreciate differences, and celebrate the exploration of purpose and potential.
Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University is a private, comprehensive church-affiliated university with a 58-acre campus in South Orange, New Jersey—14 miles from New York City. Over 6,000 undergraduates benefit from a 14:1 student-faculty ratio, an average class size of 21 students, and over 90 majors and programs to choose from. Seton Hall values integrity, compassion, and a commitment to helping others, embracing students of all faiths and inspiring them to become servant leaders who make a difference in the world.
St. John’s University
St. John’s University is a private Roman Catholic university with a 102-acre main campus located in the Jamaica section of Queens in New York City, New York. The University offers more than 100 programs of study built on an “options-oriented” core curriculum that prepares students for success in a challenging academic environment. Nearly 40% of St. John’s students study abroad at some point during their undergraduate careers, and countless others see the world through St. John’s–sponsored service plunges.
University of Dallas
The University of Dallas is a church-affiliated liberal arts institution with a 215-acre campus in Irving, Texas—on the northwest boundary of Dallas. The University provides an encouraging atmosphere for students looking to grow and deepen their faith with twice-daily Mass at the Church of the Incarnation, a chapel that’s accessible 24/7, an active campus ministry, and myriad service opportunities. While nearly 80% of the student body is Catholic, UD supports academic and religious freedom, and all faiths are welcome and heard on campus.
University of the Incarnate Word
University of the Incarnate Word is a private, religious-affiliated liberal arts university with a 200-acre main campus near the center of San Antonio, Texas. Founded in 1881 by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, UIW is the largest Catholic university in Texas and the only Catholic university in the Southwest with NCAA Division I athletics. With the Class of 2020 performing 45,151 hours of service alone, the University is committed to social justice and community service through transformative education.
University of Scranton
The University of Scranton is a private Catholic, Jesuit university on a 58-acre campus in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The University is devoted to the Jesuit maxim of cura personalis: individual attention to students and respect for the uniqueness of each member of the University community. Students can extend their academic experience by participating in internships, faculty-student research, study abroad, and unique honors opportunities such as the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program, the Business Honors Program, the Magis Honors Program in STEM, and more.
Villanova University
Villanova University is a private coeducational institution on a 254-acre campus in Villanova, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1842 by the Order of Saint Augustine, Villanova is the nation’s only Augustinian Catholic university. As part of their education, students are encouraged to enrich their lives by working for those in need, using their knowledge, skills, and compassion to better the world around them through academic and service programs.
Looking for colleges on the other side of the map? Check out our Great Catholic Colleges and Universities in the Midwest and West list too.
