Catholic University of America
(CUA)
About
The Catholic University of America (CUA) is a private Catholic research university in Washington, D.C., United States. It is one of two pontifical universities of the Catholic Church in the United States – the only one that is not primarily a seminary – and the only institution of higher education founded by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Established in 1887 as a graduate and research center following approval by Pope Leo XIII, the university began offering undergraduate education in 1904. In the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, it is classified as an R1 university.
Ranked Top 404 worldwide across 3 major ranking systems
Ranked in 12 subject rankings
Ranking Overview
QS
THE
ARWU
US News
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Key Facts
Historical Trend
THE
US News
Top Subjects
Subject Rankings
QS
2 subjects|
Subject
|
Rank
|
Score
|
Year
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Theology, Divinity & Religious Studies | 35 | 72.6 | 2026 |
| Philosophy | 151-200 | - | 2026 |
ARWU
4 subjects|
Subject
|
Rank
|
Score
|
Year
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineering | 201-300 | - | 2017 |
| Law | 201-300 | - | 2019 |
| Physics | 401-500 | - | 2025 |
| Earth Sciences | 401-500 | - | 2025 |
US News
2 subjects|
Subject
|
Rank
|
Score
|
Year
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Space Science | =234 | 39.7 | 2026 |
| Physics | 579 | 39.7 | 2026 |
THE
4 subjects|
Subject
|
Rank
|
Score
|
Year
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Arts & Humanities | 401–500 | 27.4 | 2026 |
| Psychology | 501–600 | 28.2 | 2026 |
| Physical Sciences | 601–800 | 32.8 | 2026 |
| Social Sciences | 801–1000 | 21.6 | 2026 |