
620 Michigan Ave., N.E., Washington, DC 20064, USA


The Catholic University of America supports a variety of intercollegiate athletic programs that compete primarily in the NCAA Division III. Its athletic teams, known as the Cardinals, provide opportunities for student-athletes to participate in multiple sports while maintaining a balance with their academic commitments.
The university offers both men's and women's sports, including basketball, cross country, fencing, golf, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, tennis, and track and field. Additionally, men can compete in baseball and football, while women have options such as volleyball and softball. These programs foster competitive experiences as well as community engagement and school spirit.
Student-athletes benefit from training facilities, coaching staff dedicated to their development, and support services aimed at ensuring a successful student experience both on and off the field. The range of sports available allows students with diverse athletic interests to find suitable teams to join during their college years.
The Catholic University of America offers a variety of student groups and associations that cater to diverse interests and community involvement. Among these are Cardinals for Life, Habitat for Humanity, Program Board, Filipino Organization of Catholic University Students, and Centerstage Theatre Company. These organizations provide opportunities for students to engage in service, cultural activities, leadership, and the performing arts.
The Catholic University of America hosts a moderately sized student body, with 861 freshmen and 68 transfer students, totaling 929 new enrollees, placing the university in the average range compared to other institutions. This indicates that while the university attracts a steady stream of new students, it is not among the largest or smallest in terms of freshman and transfer class sizes.
The age distribution across both undergraduate and graduate students reveals a diverse range of stages in life. Most undergraduates are traditionally aged, with 1,426 students between 18 and 19 years old and 1,208 students aged 20 to 21. However, the university also accommodates older students, including 263 aged 22 to 24 and smaller numbers extending through various older age brackets, up to 7 students above 65 years of age. Graduate students predominantly fall into the 25 to 49 age categories, highlighting a substantial segment of adult learners continuing their education later in life.
Regarding ethnic diversity, The Catholic University of America shows an average representation of various groups. The largest demographic identified is white students, numbering 1,699. Hispanic students form the next largest group at 704, followed by African American students totaling 275. Smaller groups include Asian students (104), those identifying with two or more races (160), and very small numbers of Native and Pacific Islander students. Additionally, there are 139 students whose ethnic identity is recorded as unknown. These figures place the university's diversity levels around the median compared to peer institutions.
The Catholic University of America offers a campus experience spread over 173 acres, providing students with various opportunities for involvement in arts and media. Students can participate in campus newspaper activities, drama productions, radio broadcasts, and chorus performances, contributing to a vibrant cultural atmosphere. However, there is no campus band or television station.
Support services on campus include a health clinic and psychological counseling, ensuring that students have access to medical and mental health care. Additionally, there is an office dedicated to veterans' affairs, reflecting attention to the needs of veterans within the student body. Although there is no legal services office or women's center, the campus provides key resources to support student well-being.
With a student-faculty ratio of 11 to 1, students can expect relatively small class sizes, fostering more personalized interaction with faculty compared to many larger institutions. The total enrollment is average-sized, with just over 5,200 students, and about 742 full-time degree-seeking students. The university attracts students from approximately 37 countries, contributing to a diverse campus community.
The Catholic University of America offers students access to three libraries, a number considered high and placing the institution in the top 30% nationwide. The main facility, Mullen Library, is supported by two additional libraries, which collectively position the university's library resources in the top 35% for the number of other libraries available.
The combined holdings include over 1.1 million books, ranking the university within the top 25% for collection size. Digital resources are substantial as well, with nearly one million eBooks available, putting the institution in the top 35% in this category. Additionally, there are more than 15,000 subscriptions and over 213,000 digital subscriptions, both reflecting an average level of availability compared to peer institutions.
While the number of databases provided is relatively modest, totaling 208 and placing the university below the median, students benefit from established hours of service totaling 91 weekly hours. Physical and digital access to collections is available, supported by trained staff and access to shared collections, ensuring reliable support for research and study needs.
Total enrollment
5243Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen
742Member of Athletic Associations
Data not availableTotal staff
312 full time, 277 part timeVeterans affair office
YesMain library name
Mullen LibraryNumber of libraries on campus
3Reservable study rooms in library
No24h access
NoPhysical facilities
YesAccess to digital/electronic resources
YesStaff trained to provide and interpret library materials
YesEstablished library hours
YesAccess to library collections that are shared with other institutions
Yes