Sometimes college takes a whole lot of faith to get through, and sometimes college gets you through with a whole lot of faith. If you’re looking for amazing Catholic colleges and universities that will support you in your faith and academics, look no further than this list! Here, you can explore institutions in the Midwestern and Western United States that are looking for students just like you. Just click the green “Connect me” buttons below the schools you’re interested in. Each college will then reach out to you with more information. Who knows? You could be on the right path to your academic future!
College of Saint Benedict
College of Saint Benedict is a private Catholic Benedictine liberal arts college for women in St. Joseph, Minnesota—just 70 miles from the Twin Cities. CSB’s more than 1,600 students benefit from a unique partnership with Saint John’s University, offering over 37 majors—including top-ranked programs in Nursing and Biology—and access to 3,300 acres of forests and lakes. The college is a national leader in global education, with over 40% of students participating in study abroad programs.
Franciscan University of Steubenville
Franciscan University of Steubenville is a private Catholic institution with a joyful, faith-filled campus in Steubenville, Ohio. The University offers a rigorous undergraduate curriculum across dozens of programs, including nursing, business, and theology, while maintaining a supportive 15:1 student-faculty ratio. Led by dedicated professors, students integrate their studies with a vibrant campus life that replaces traditional Greek organizations with peer-led Faith Households. Undergraduates also benefit from a popular, transformative study abroad program at a restored fourteenth-century monastery in Gaming, Austria.
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John Paul the Great Catholic University
John Paul the Great Catholic University is a private coeducational institution located in Escondido, California—30 miles northeast of downtown San Diego. The University’s unique academic model combines hands-on projects, mentorship, and portfolio preparation with a Catholic liberal arts education in literature, theology, and philosophy. Opportunities for spiritual growth include daily Mass, confession, adoration, rosary, retreats, and service projects.
Mount Saint Mary’s University
Mount Saint Mary’s University is a church-affiliated liberal arts college in Los Angeles, California. Mount Saint Mary’s is the only women’s Catholic university in the western United States and the only women’s university in Los Angeles, serving 2,600+ women across two campuses and online. Students can choose from more than 30 majors and nearly 50 minors, participate in study abroad and faculty research, and pursue other experiential learning opportunities that complement their classroom studies.
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Rockhurst University
Rockhurst University is a private Jesuit Catholic institution located on a scenic 55-acre campus in Kansas City, Missouri. Serving over 3,000 students, the University offers more than 70 degree programs rooted in a prestigious liberal arts tradition and a 14:1 student-faculty ratio. Students benefit from state-of-the-art facilities like the Magis Activity Center and the renovated Sedgwick Hall for nursing. With 15 NCAA Division II athletic teams and 50+ student organizations, Rockhurst fosters a tight-knit community dedicated to leadership and service.
Saint John's University
Saint John's University is a private Benedictine Catholic liberal arts college for men in Collegeville, Minnesota—located on a sprawling 3,300-acre campus of lakes and forests. Saint John’s more than 1,400 students benefit from a unique partnership with the College of Saint Benedict, offering access to 38 majors and 40 minors—including Global Business Leadership and Accounting—as well as over 100 clubs. The University also features the Benedictine Institute, which integrates the campus's rich spiritual heritage with academic life.
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis University is a Jesuit Catholic university in St. Louis, Missouri. With nearly 13,000 students on campus and a 9:1 student-faculty ratio, the University offers 90 undergraduates and more than 100 graduate and professional programs. SLU provides nearly 200 student organizations, including the InterFaith Alliance and Java with the Jesuits; events and services through Campus Ministry; opportunities to serve, including mission trips; and more.
University of Dayton
University of Dayton is a top-tier Marianist Catholic research institution located in southwest Ohio. Serving over 9,700 students, the University offers more than 80 undergraduate majors while maintaining a supportive 14:1 student-faculty ratio. Students gain hands-on experience through robust programs, including a top-50 entrepreneurship curriculum and premier materials research. Grounded in service, community, and faith, UD boasts an impressive 97% post-graduation success rate, making it a stellar investment for your academic future.
Want to attend college in another part of the country? Check out this list of Great Catholic Colleges and Universities in the Northeast and South.
