The Catholic University of America vs. Trinity College

Comparable Facts

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

The Catholic University of America is larger than Trinity College based on total student enrollment (5,243 students vs. 1,948 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The Catholic University of America is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Trinity Washington University is in Washington, DC (Large City setting).
• The Catholic University of America is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Trinity Washington University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The Catholic University of America 11:1; Trinity Washington University 9:1.

The Catholic University of America vs. Trinity College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, The Catholic University of America or Trinity College? 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 Trinity Washington University than The Catholic University of America ($11,755 vs. $32,705).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Trinity Washington University are 33.1% lower than at The Catholic University of America ($12,180 vs. $18,200).
• The Catholic University of America is 119.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Trinity College (about $31,768 more per year; $58,378.00 vs. $26,610.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 119.4% higher at The Catholic University of America than at Trinity Washington University (about $31,768 more per year; $58,378.00 vs. $26,610.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The Catholic University of America than at Trinity Washington University (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The Catholic University of America students is 90.6% larger than aid received by Trinity Washington University students ($42,657 vs. $22,386).

The Catholic University of America vs. Trinity College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, The Catholic University of America or Trinity College? 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 Trinity College and The Catholic University of America.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: The Catholic University of America - Test-free; Trinity College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: The Catholic University of America Jan 15, 2027; Trinity College Mar 1, 2027.
• Trinity College has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) 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. 20.2% at Trinity College.

The Catholic University of America vs. Trinity College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for The Catholic University of America and Trinity College? 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 Trinity Washington University's (45%).
• Graduates from The Catholic University of America earn a median of about $17,200 more per year than Trinity College graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,600 vs. $41,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The Catholic University of America graduates have a $5,543 lower median loan debt than Trinity College graduates ($26,106 vs. $31,649).
• Among borrowers, The Catholic University of America graduates have an estimated $58 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Trinity College graduates ($269 vs. $327).
• More The Catholic University of America graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Trinity College students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 33%)

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.