The Catholic University of America vs Saint Edward's University

Side-by-side comparison across admissions, costs, outcomes, campus life, and more. Data from US Department of Education.

πŸ’°
Best Value
Saint Edward's University
Lower Net Price
πŸ’Ό
High Earners
The Catholic University of America
Higher 10yr Salary
πŸ†
Most Selective
Saint Edward's University
Harder to get in
πŸŽ“
Graduation
The Catholic University of America
Higher success
Admissions Difficulty
Acceptance Rate
83.8%
83.7%
Avg SAT Score
Not reported
1,135
SAT Range (25th–75th)
Not reported
1030 – 1235
Avg ACT Score
Not reported
22
ACT Range (25th–75th)
Not reported
20 – 25
Cost & Financial Aid
Avg Net Price
$32,798
$23,636
Tuition (In-State)
$55,834
$51,384
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$55,834
$51,384
Pell Grant Rate % students receiving Pell Grants
16.7%
Not reported
Federal Loan Rate
48.5%
Not reported
Career Outcomes
Median Salary (10yr)
$73,250
$58,826
Graduation Rate
79.0%
64.6%
Retention Rate Freshmen who return for 2nd year
83.5%
78.0%
Campus Life
Total Enrollment
3,063
2,729
Undergrad Enrollment
3,187
Not reported
Type
Private
Private
Setting
Urban
Urban

πŸ“‹ Report Cards

The Catholic University of America

Academics
B+
Value
C
Admissions
C
Diversity
B+

Saint Edward's University

Academics
C+
Value
C
Admissions
C
Diversity
C+

βš–οΈ Expert Analysis

The Catholic University of America and Saint Edward's University are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Admissions: Saint Edward's University is more selective with a 83.7% acceptance rate compared to The Catholic University of America's 83.8%.

Cost: Saint Edward's University offers a lower average net price at $23,636, which is $9,162 less than The Catholic University of America ($32,798). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from The Catholic University of America earn a median salary of $73,250 ten years after enrollment, which is $14,424 more than Saint Edward's University graduates ($58,826).

Graduation: The Catholic University of America leads with a 79.0% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 83.5% vs 78.0%.

Campus Size: The Catholic University of America is the larger campus with 3,063 total students, while Saint Edward's University has 2,729.

Bottom Line: Saint Edward's University wins on affordability while The Catholic University of America leads in career earnings. Your choice depends on whether upfront cost or long-term ROI matters more.

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