Though they may have different religious orders—from Benedictine to Dominican, Franciscan to Jesuit, and many more in between—Catholic colleges and universities have many similarities. You’ll find that these schools all value giving back to the community and helping students grow both academically and spiritually. But they also accept students of many different faiths or no religion at all. If you’re looking for a place where faith, learning, and life are integrated on and off campus—or just a school with rigorous academics and a supportive community—this list is a great place to start your search.
All the colleges and universities listed below are Catholic institutions located in the Western United States, and you can connect with all of them quickly and easily! Just click the “Connect me” button underneath each featured school if you’re interested in learning more about them—then they'll reach out to you with more information. Start exploring and making valuable connections with these Catholic institutions now!
Gonzaga University
Gonzaga University is a church-affiliated university with a 131-acre campus in Spokane, Washington. With an average class size of 22 students and a supportive community, students are nurtured to grow in mind, body, and spirit. Gonzaga also offers scholarships for outstanding graduates from Catholic high schools.
Holy Names University
Holy Names University is a church-affiliated liberal arts institution with a 60-acre campus in Oakland, California. HNU offers a liberal arts education rooted in the Catholic tradition and is guided by the core values of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. Students serve as leaders, mentors, and activists in service learning projects, internships, and volunteer opportunities with Habitat for Humanity, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and more.
John Paul the Great Catholic University
John Paul the Great Catholic University is a private coeducational institution located in Escondido, California—30 miles northeast of downtown San Diego. The University’s unique academic model combines hands-on projects, mentorship, and portfolio preparation with a Catholic liberal arts education in literature, theology, and philosophy. Opportunities for spiritual growth include daily Mass, confession, adoration, rosary, retreats, and service projects.
Mount Saint Mary’s University
Mount Saint Mary’s University is a church-affiliated liberal arts college with a 53-acre campus located in Los Angeles, California. Mount Saint Mary’s is the only women’s Catholic university in the western United States—and the only women’s university in Los Angeles. Students can choose from more than 30 majors and nearly 50 minors, participate in study abroad and faculty research, and pursue other experiential learning opportunities.
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Regis University
Regis University is a private Jesuit, Catholic liberal arts university with a 90-acre campus in Denver, Colorado. As the only Jesuit university in the Rocky Mountain West, Regis embraces the Jesuit concept of cura personalis, or care for the entire person. Students give back to their community by standing up for social justice and using their education to make a positive impact.
Seattle University
Seattle University is a private, comprehensive, Jesuit-affiliated institution with a 50-acre campus in Seattle, Washington. The Jesuit educational ethos of social justice, global awareness, and diversity underlies all academic programs. Approximately 80% of Seattle U students provide service in the surrounding community, and a noteworthy number of students travel annually to places such as India, Belize, and Nicaragua on service trips.
University of Portland
University of Portland is a private church-affiliated institution with a 25-acre campus located four miles from downtown Portland, Oregon. As a comprehensive Catholic university grounded in the liberal arts, UP embraces a culture of curiosity by testing beliefs and challenging the expected. Experiential learning opportunities include internships, clinicals, student teaching, research, service immersions, and study abroad.
Interested in continuing your Catholic education somewhere else? Check out all our featured Catholic School Profiles.
