Catholic University's Student Population: A Comprehensive Overview

The Catholic University of America, a private Catholic research university in Washington, D.C., has a large student population. As of Fall 2023, the university had a total undergraduate enrollment of 3,139 students, with 43.4% male and 56.2% female students. The university's campus spans 176 acres and is the largest college campus in D.C. With 12 schools and over 70 undergraduate programs, Catholic University offers a wide range of educational opportunities for its students.

Undergraduate enrollment: 3,139 (fall 2023)

The Catholic University of America (CUA) is a private Catholic research university in Washington, D.C. It is the only pontifical university of the Catholic Church in the United States. CUA had a total undergraduate enrollment of 3,139 students in the fall of 2023, comprising 43.4% male students and 56.2% female students. This number makes up more than half of the total student population at CUA, which is large enough to expose students to a diverse group of people while remaining small enough to not feel overwhelming.

CUA's 176-acre campus is the largest in Washington, D.C., and is located just three miles north of Capitol Hill in the heart of the Brookland neighborhood. The campus provides a residential oasis for its undergraduate and graduate students, all of whom are seeking a distinctive educational experience rooted in deeper meaning.

With 12 schools, over 70 undergraduate programs, and 32 research centers and facilities, CUA maintains the nurturing feel of an undergraduate college. The university welcomes students of all faiths from around the globe to study with world-class faculty at the forefront of their fields. CUA offers a broad educational experience, including competitive play in intercollegiate sports, with nearly a fifth of its students competing in 25 Division III programs.

CUA's central location gives students access to unrivalled internship opportunities in the nation's capital. Students can gain practical experience in their field of study by interning at national and international companies, government organizations, and nonprofits.

Total student population: 5,171 (fall 2023)

The Catholic University of America, a private Catholic research university in Washington, D.C., has a total student population of 5,171 as of Fall 2023. This includes 3,139 undergraduate students and 2,032 graduate students. The university, which was founded in 1887, offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including liberal arts, professional education, and personal development. It has a gender distribution of 43.4% male students and 56.2% female students, with students coming from all 50 states and around the world. The university's campus spans 176 acres and is known for its natural beauty, with manicured gardens and classic collegiate buildings.

The Catholic University of America provides a well-rounded educational experience, combining academic excellence with extracurricular opportunities. The university has a strong focus on intercollegiate sports, with nearly 20% of its students participating in 25 Division III programs. It also offers various club and intramural sports options, such as flag football, ice hockey, and sailing. Additionally, the university prioritizes service, with students engaging in weekly service opportunities throughout Washington, D.C.

With a diverse student population and a wide range of programs, The Catholic University of America offers a comprehensive educational experience that prepares students for their future endeavors.

Gender distribution: 43.4% male, 56.2% female

The Catholic University of America, a private Catholic research university in Washington, D.C., has a diverse student body with a slight female majority. As of Fall 2023, the university's gender distribution stood at 43.4% male and 56.2% female among its 3,139 undergraduate students. This distribution is reflected in the overall student population, which includes graduate students, with 44% male and 53% female students.

The university's commitment to diversity and inclusion is evident in its welcoming of people from all faith traditions, cultural contexts, and identities. This is further reinforced by its motto, "Deus Lux Mea Est," which translates to "God is My Light." The university's dedication to fostering a diverse and inclusive community is also reflected in its student organizations, which include 13 cultural groups such as the CUA Gaels, the Student Organization of Latinos (SOL), and the Filipino Organization of Catholic University Students (FOCUS).

In addition to its focus on diversity and inclusion, The Catholic University of America offers a broad educational experience, including competitive intercollegiate sports and a variety of club and intramural sports. The university's location in the nation's capital provides students with unparalleled internship opportunities at national and international companies, government organizations, and nonprofits. With its combination of academic excellence and real-world experience, The Catholic University of America empowers its students to make a positive impact in the world.

The Catholic University of America's gender distribution of 43.4% male and 56.2% female among its undergraduate students contributes to a vibrant and inclusive campus community. The university's commitment to diversity and its range of academic and extracurricular opportunities make it a compelling choice for higher education.

On-campus housing: 64% of students live in college-owned housing

On-campus housing is a popular choice for students at the Catholic University of America (CUA), with 64% of students opting to live in college-owned accommodation. This percentage translates to a large number of students, given that CUA has a total undergraduate enrolment of 3,139 as of fall 2023.

The university offers a range of housing options, from traditional-style residence halls to suite and apartment accommodations within five distinct areas of the campus. CUA's on-campus housing policy requires full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate students to live on campus for the first six semesters of their enrollment. This policy is underpinned by the university's belief in the benefits of on-campus living for academic success, personal development, and involvement within the campus community.

The Office of Housing Services at CUA manages and provides residential living environments that are well-maintained, safe, and modern, catering to the changing needs of students. The single-sex residence halls are coupled with programs directed towards students' personal, spiritual, and moral development, fostering an environment consistent with the Catholic intellectual tradition.

While on-campus housing is not mandatory for all students, the university strives to accommodate those who wish to live on campus, provided they adhere to application deadlines and remain flexible in their housing choices. The variety of residential buildings available ensures that on-campus living is enjoyable and rewarding throughout students' academic careers at CUA.

Pope visits: three popes have visited the university

The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., has had the honour of hosting three popes since its founding in 1887. It is the only American university to have been visited by three popes and is one of only two universities to have ever received a visit from a pontiff.

The first visit was from Pope John Paul II on October 7, 1979. The university had just seven weeks to prepare for the visit, which included transforming the old gym into a suitable site for the pope's address. The pope first visited the Shrine (now a basilica) where students cheered him from the steps. He then delivered a major speech on Catholic higher education to a crowd of 2,000 people, including 240 heads of Catholic institutions of higher learning from across the country. The University chorus and orchestra performed several times during the program, including a hymn prepared by music professor Robert Ricks, “Serdeczna Matko”.

The second visit was from Pope Benedict XVI on April 16, 2008. This time, the university had more time to prepare, and students played a larger role. Architecture students designed the altar, papal chair, pulpit, and lectern to be used during the Mass celebrated by the pope at Nationals Park. A choir of 17 music students from the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music performed the eighth-century chant “Laudes Regiae: Christus Vincit” as the pope entered the University centre’s Great Room. The pope met with U.S. bishops and presided over Solemn Vespers in the Crypt Church, greeting thousands of students and alumni on the University Mall. The next day, he returned to campus and delivered an address on education to a packed audience of more than 400 Catholic educators.

The third visit was from Pope Francis on September 23, 2015. During his visit, the pope celebrated Mass outdoors on the east portico of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, canonizing the 18th-century missionary Blessed Junípero Serra. More than 25,000 people flocked to the campus for the event, and the 6,700 students at the university had the day off. The pope's visit sparked conversations on campus about openly evangelizing, with one student noting that the pope's call to "go forward and spread the good news" would hopefully apply not only on campus but also in the wider community.

The Catholic University of America is the largest college campus in Washington, D.C., with 3,139 undergraduate students and 2,400 graduate students as of fall 2023.

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