The Catholic University of America vs. Marian

Deciding between The Catholic University of America and Marian University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

The Catholic University of America
Marian University

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • The Catholic University of America Washington, DC
  • Marian Indianapolis, IN
  • Setting
  • The Catholic University of America Large City
  • Marian Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • The Catholic University of America 5,243
  • Marian 3,486
  • Type
  • The Catholic University of America Private 4 Year
  • Marian Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • The Catholic University of America
  • Marian
  • Religious Affiliation
  • The Catholic University of America Roman Catholic
  • Marian Roman Catholic
  • Status
  • The Catholic University of America Non-profit
  • Marian Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • The Catholic University of America
  • Marian

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • The Catholic University of America $58,378
  • Marian $40,664
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • The Catholic University of America $58,378
  • Marian $40,664
  • Room & Board
  • The Catholic University of America $18,200
  • Marian $13,850
  • Average Net Price
  • The Catholic University of America $32,705
  • Marian $22,786
  • Average Grant Aid
  • The Catholic University of America $42,657
  • Marian $32,351
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • The Catholic University of America 99%
  • Marian 97%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • The Catholic University of America 6,714
  • Marian 3,745
  • Admitted
  • The Catholic University of America 5,558
  • Marian 3,575
  • Acceptance Rate
  • The Catholic University of America 82.8%
  • Marian 95.5%
  • Enrolled
  • The Catholic University of America 13.4%
  • Marian 15.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • The Catholic University of America
  • Marian
  • Typical ACT score
  • The Catholic University of America
  • Marian
  • Average High School GPA
  • The Catholic University of America 3.52
  • Marian 3.56
  • Typical High School Grades
  • The Catholic University of America A-
  • Marian A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • The Catholic University of America Unavailable
  • Marian Unavailable
  • Applicant Competition
  • The Catholic University of America
  • Marian
  • ACT Range
  • The Catholic University of America
  • Marian
  • SAT Range
  • The Catholic University of America
  • Marian
  • Submit Test Scores
  • The Catholic University of America Test-free
  • Marian Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • The Catholic University of America Jan 15, 2027
  • Marian Aug 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • The Catholic University of America 11:1
  • Marian 13:1
  • Popular Majors
  • The Catholic University of America
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Architecture (11%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Engineering (7%)
  • Marian
    • Business (55%)
    • Health Professions (18%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (4%)
    • Psychology (3%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • The Catholic University of America 68%
  • Marian 58%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • The Catholic University of America $58,600
  • Marian $44,800
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • The Catholic University of America 77%
  • Marian 57%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • The Catholic University of America $26,106
  • Marian $27,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • The Catholic University of America $269
  • Marian $279

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • The Catholic University of America 48%
  • Marian 40%
  • % Women
  • The Catholic University of America 52%
  • Marian 60%
  • Racial Diversity
  • The Catholic University of America Medium
  • Marian Low
  • HBCU
  • The Catholic University of America No
  • Marian No
  • % White
  • The Catholic University of America 64%
  • Marian 72%
  • % Asian
  • The Catholic University of America 3%
  • Marian 2%
  • % Black
  • The Catholic University of America 5%
  • Marian 12%
  • % Hispanic
  • The Catholic University of America 13%
  • Marian 5%
  • % Native American
  • The Catholic University of America 0%
  • Marian 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • The Catholic University of America 0%
  • Marian 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • The Catholic University of America 5%
  • Marian 2%
  • % International
  • The Catholic University of America 5%
  • Marian 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • The Catholic University of America 4%
  • Marian 4%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • The Catholic University of America 8%
  • Marian 83%
  • % Out-of-State
  • The Catholic University of America 84%
  • Marian 10%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • The Catholic University of America Yes
  • Marian Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • The Catholic University of America No
  • Marian No
  • Meal Plan
  • The Catholic University of America Yes
  • Marian Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • The Catholic University of America No
  • Marian Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • The Catholic University of America No
  • Marian No
  • Learn More
  • The Catholic University of America Details
  • Marian Details

Comparable Facts

Compare The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC with Marian University in Indianapolis, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The Catholic University of America is larger than Marian based on total student enrollment (5,243 students vs. 3,486 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • The Catholic University of America is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Marian University is in Indianapolis, IN (Large City setting).
  • The Catholic University of America is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Marian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: The Catholic University of America 11:1; Marian University 13:1.

The Catholic University of America vs. Marian Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, The Catholic University of America or Marian? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Marian University than The Catholic University of America ($22,786 vs. $32,705).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Marian University are 23.9% lower than at The Catholic University of America ($13,850 vs. $18,200).
  • The Catholic University of America is 43.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Marian (about $17,714 more per year; $58,378.00 vs. $40,664.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 43.6% higher at The Catholic University of America than at Marian University (about $17,714 more per year; $58,378.00 vs. $40,664.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at The Catholic University of America than at Marian University (99% vs. 97%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by The Catholic University of America students is 31.9% larger than aid received by Marian University students ($42,657 vs. $32,351).

The Catholic University of America vs. Marian Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, The Catholic University of America or Marian? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Marian and The Catholic University of America.

  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: The Catholic University of America - Test-free; Marian - Test-free.
  • Typical fall application deadline: The Catholic University of America Jan 15, 2027; Marian Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled freshman Marian students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at The Catholic University of America (3.52).
  • Marian has a higher acceptance rate (95.5%) than The Catholic University of America (82.8%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at The Catholic University of America vs. 15.6% at Marian.

The Catholic University of America vs. Marian Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for The Catholic University of America and Marian? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

  • The Catholic University of America's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Marian University's (58%).
  • Graduates from The Catholic University of America earn a median of about $13,800 more per year than Marian graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,600 vs. $44,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, The Catholic University of America graduates have a $894 lower median loan debt than Marian graduates ($26,106 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, The Catholic University of America graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Marian graduates ($269 vs. $279).
  • More The Catholic University of America graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Marian students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 57%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.