Catholic higher education

Main building of the Catholic University in Ružomberok, Slovakia.

Catholic University of Toulouse, Toulouse, France.

Chapel of the faculty of medicine of Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon.

A Catholic university is a private university run by the Roman Catholic Church or by Roman Catholic organizations such as religious institutes. Those with closer ties to the Holy See are specifically called pontifical universities.

By definition, Catholic canon law states that "A Catholic school is understood to be one which is under control of the competent ecclesiastical authority or of a public ecclesiastical juridical person, or one which in a written document is acknowledged as Catholic by the ecclesiastical authority" (Can. 803). Although some schools are deemed "Catholic" because of their identity and a great number of students enrolled are Catholics, it is also stipulated in canon law that "no school, even if it is in fact Catholic, may bear the title 'Catholic school' except by the consent of the competent ecclesiastical authority" (Can. 803 §3).

According to the census of the Vatican's Congregation for Catholic Education, the total number of Catholic universities and higher education institutions around the world is 1,358. The Dominican Order is "the first order instituted by the Church with an academic mission", founding studia conventualia in every convent of the order, and studia generalia at the early European universities such as the University of Bologna and the University of Paris. The Catholic religious order with the highest number of universities around the world today is the Society of Jesus with 114.

Like other private schools, Catholic colleges and universities are generally nondenominational, in that they accept anyone regardless of religion or denominational affiliation, race or ethnicity, nationality, or civil status, provided the admission or enrollment requirements and legal documents are submitted, and rules & regulations are obeyed for a fruitful life on campus. However, non-Catholics, whether Christian or not, may or may not participate in otherwise required campus activities, particularly those of a religious nature.

Partial list of universities

Albania

• Catholic University "Our Lady of Good Counsel", Tirana

Angola

• Catholic University of Angola, Luanda

Argentina

• Austral University, Buenos Aires
• Catholic University of Santiago del Estero, Santiago del Estero
• Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina, Buenos Aires
• Saint Thomas Aquinas University of the North, San Miguel de Tucumán
• Universidad Católica de Salta, Salta
• Universidad Católica de Córdoba, Cordoba
• Universidad del Salvador, Buenos Aires

Australia

• Australian Catholic University, campuses nationwide including Sydney
• Campion College, Toongabbie, near Sydney
• University of Notre Dame Australia, campuses in Fremantle, Sydney, Broome

Austria

• Catholic-Theological Private University Linz, Linz
• Catholic University College of Education Graz (CUCE Graz), Graz; f.2007
• International Theological Institute, Trumau(near Wien)
• Private University College of Education of the Diocese of Linz (Ph-Linz), Linz; f.1968

Bangladesh

• Notre Dame University Bangladesh, Dhaka

Belgium

• Catholic University of Brussels, Brussels
• Catholic University of Leuven, Leuven (before 1968), succeeded by:
  • Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve (French)
  • Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven (Flemish)
• Facultés universitaires catholiques de Mons, Mons
• ICHEC Brussels Management School (Institut Catholique des Hautes Etudes Commerciales), Brussels
• Katholieke Hogeschool Kempen, Geel
• Saint-Louis University, Brussels, Brussels
• St John Berchmans University College, Heverlee, Heverlee
• Université de Namur, Namur

Benin

• Université Catholique de l'Afrique de l'Ouest, Cotonou

Bolivia

• Universidad Católica Boliviana Tarija, Unidad Académica Regional Tarija;
• Universidad Católica Boliviana Cochabamba, Unidad Académica Regional Cochabamba;
• Universidad Católica Boliviana Santa Curz, Unidad Académica Regional Santa Cruz;
• Unidad Académica Campesina-Carmen Pampa, Carmen Pampa; a satellite campus of the Catholic University of Bolivia

Brazil

• Centro Universitário da FEI, São Bernardo do Campo
• Centro Universitário Franciscano, Santa Maria
• Institutos Supereriores de Ensino La Salle, Niterói
• Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas, Campinas
• Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Goiás, Goias
• Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte
• Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Curitiba
• Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro
• Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre
• Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo, São Paulo
• Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília
• Universidade Católica de Pelotas, Pelotas
• Universidade Católica de Pernambuco, Recife
• Universidade Católica de Petrópolis, Petrópolis
• Universidade Católica do Salvador, Salvador
• Universidade Católica de Santos, Santos
• Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande
• Universidade da Amazônia, Belém
• Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos, São Leopoldo
• Universidade Santa Úrsula, Rio de Janeiro
• University of Vale do Paraíba, São José dos Campos

Cameroon

• Catholic University Institute of Buea, Buea
• Catholic University of Cameroon, Bamenda
• Catholic University of Central Africa, Yaounde

Canada

• Assumption University (Windsor), Windsor, Ontario
• Brescia University College, London, Ontario
• Campion College, Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan
• Collège universitaire de Saint-Boniface, Saint Boniface, Manitoba
• Corpus Christi College (Vancouver) & St. Mark's College, Vancouver, Vancouver, British Columbia
• Dominican University College, Ottawa, Ontario
• King's University College (University of Western Ontario), London, Ontario
• Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Nova Scotia
• Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy, Barry's Bay, Ontario
• Redeemer Pacific College, Langley, British Columbia
• Regis College, Toronto, Ontario
• Saint Mary's University (Halifax), Halifax, Nova Scotia
• Saint Paul University, Ottawa, Ontario
• St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Nova Scotia
• St. Jerome's University, Waterloo, Ontario
• St. Joseph's College, Edmonton, Edmonton, Alberta
• St. Mary's University College, Calgary, Calgary, Alberta
• St. Paul's College (Manitoba), Fort Garry, Manitoba
• St. Thomas More College, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
• St. Thomas University (New Brunswick), Fredericton, New Brunswick
• Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec
• Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec
• Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec
• Université Sainte-Anne, Pointe-de-l'Église, Nova Scotia
• University of St. Michael's College, Toronto, Ontario
• University of Sudbury, Sudbury, Ontario

Chile

• Alberto Hurtado University, Santiago
• Catholic University of the Holy Conception, Concepcion
• Catholic University of the Maule, Talca
• Catholic University of the North, Antofagasta
• Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Santiago
• Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso, Valparaiso
• Silva Henríquez Catholic University, Santiago
• Temuco Catholic University, Temuco
• Universidad Finis Terrae, Santiago
• University of the Andes, Chile, Santiago

China

• Catholic university in Hong Kong, Hong Kong
• University of Saint Joseph (Portuguese: Universidade de São José), Macau; formerly Macau Inter-University Institute

Colombia

• Catholic University of Colombia, Bogota
• La Salle University, Colombia, Bogota
• Our Lady of the Rosary University, Bogota; f.1653
• Pontifical Bolivarian University, Medellin
• Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogota
• Saint Martin University, Bogota
• Saint Thomas Aquinas University, Bogota
• Sergio Arboleda University, Bogota
• Universidad Católica de Oriente, Rionegro(near Medellin)
• University of La Sabana, Chía

Congo, Democratic Republic of

• Académie des Beaux-Arts (Kinshasa), Kinshasa
• Université Catholique du Congo, Kinshasa

Costa Rica

• Universidad Católica de Costa Rica, San José; f.1993
• Universidad De La Salle, San José; f.1994
• Universidad Juan Pablo II, San José

Croatia

• Croatian Catholic University, Zagreb ; f.2005

Cuba

• Universidad Católica de Santo Tomás de Villanueva, Havana

Czech Republic

• Catholic Theological Faculty, Charles University in Prague, Prague
• Palacký University of Olomouc Saint Cyril and Methodius Faculty of Theology, Olomouc
• Faculty of Theology of University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, České Budějovice (Budweis)

Dominican Republic

• Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra, Santiago de los Caballeros
• Universidad Católica Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo
• Universidad Católica Tecnológica del Cibao, La Vega

Ecuador

• Politecnica Salesiana University, Cuenca
• Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito
• Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil, Guayaquil
• Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (La Universidad Católica de Loja), Loja

El Salvador

• Universidad Centroamericana, San Salvador

Ethiopia

• Ethiopian Catholic University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (ECUSTA), Addis Ababa

France

• Catholic Institute of Higher Studies - ICES (Institut Catholique d'Etudes Supérieures), La Roche-sur-Yon
• Catholic University of Lyon, Lyon
• Catholic University of Rennes, Rennes
• Catholic University of Toulouse, Toulouse
• Catholic University of the West, Angers
• Centre Sèvres, Paris; Jesuit institution
• ECAM Lyon (L'Ecole Catholique d'Arts et Métiers), Lyon
• École supérieure des sciences économiques et commerciales (ESSEC Business School), Cergy-Pontoise
• Institut Catholique de Paris, Paris
• Université Catholique de Lille, Lille

Germany

• Catholic University of Applied Sciences Mainz, Mainz
• Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, Eichstätt & Ingolstadt
• Munich University of Philosophy, Munich
• University of Freiburg Faculty of Theology, Freiburg

Ghana

• Catholic Institute of Business and Technology, Accra; affiliated to the University of Ghana
• Catholic University College of Ghana, Fiapre

Guatemala

• Rafael Landívar University, Guatemala City
• Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, Guatemala City; f.1676
• Universidad Mesoamericana, Guatemala City

Haiti

• University Notre Dame of Haiti (Université Notre Dame d'Haïti), Port-au-Prince

Honduras

• Universidad Católica de Honduras, Tegucigalpa and various campuses throughout the country

Hungary

• Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Budapest

India

• Amala Institute of Medical Sciences, Thrissur
• Assam Don Bosco University, Guwahati
• Christ University, Bangalore
• De Paul Institute of Science & Technology (DIST), Angamaly
• Don Bosco Institute of Technology, Mumbai, Mumbai
• Father Muller Medical College, Mangalore
• Jesus and Mary College, New Delhi
• Jubilee Mission Medical College and Research Institute, Thrissur
• Loyola College, Chennai, Chennai
• Malankara Catholic College, Mariagiri, Marthandam
• Pushpagiri Medical College, Thiruvalla
• Sathyabama University, Chennai
• St. John's Medical College, Bangalore
• St. Xavier's College, Calcutta, Kolkata; f.1860
• St. Xavier's College, Mumbai, Mumbai; f.1869
• Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneswar

Indonesia

• Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia, Jakarta; 8 schools including School of Medicine
• De La Salle Catholic University, Manado, Manado
• Parahyangan Catholic University, Bandung
• Sanata Dharma University, Yogyakarta
• Sekolah Tinggi Filsafat Pineleng, Manado
• Soegijapranata Catholic University (Unika Soegijapranata), Semarang
• Universitas Atma Jaya Makassar, Makassar
• Universitas Atma Jaya Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta

Ireland

• All Hallows College, Dublin; affiliated with Dublin City University
• Catholic University of Ireland, Dublin; became National University of Ireland
• Mary Immaculate College, Limerick; a college of the University of Limerick
• St. Patrick's, Carlow College, Carlow
• St Patrick's College, Maynooth
• St. Patrick's College, Thurles

Italy

• Libera Università Maria SS. Assunta (LUMSA), Roma
• Studium Generale Marcianum, Venezia
• Università Campus Bio-Medico, Roma
• Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano
• Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele), Milano

Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire)

• Université Catholique de l'Afrique de l'Ouest, Abidjan

Japan

• Elisabeth University of Music, Hiroshima
• Kyoto Notre Dame University, Kyoto
• Nagasaki Junshin Catholic University, Nagasaki
• Nanzan University, Nagoya
• Notre Dame Seishin University, Okayama
• Seisen University, Tokyo
• Shirayuri Women's University, Tokyo
• Sophia University, Tokyo
• St. Catherine University (Japan), Matsuyama
• St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki
• St. Thomas University, Japan, Amagasaki
• Tokyo Junshin University, Tokyo
• University of the Sacred Heart (Japan), Tokyo

Jordan

• American University of Madaba, Madaba

Kenya

• Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Nairobi
• Hekima College, Nirobi; Jesuit
• Regina Pacis University College, Nairobi
• Strathmore University, Nairobi
• Tangaza College, Nairobi
• Uzima University College, Kisumu

Korea

• Catholic Kwandong University, Gangneung
• Catholic Sangji College, Andong
• Catholic University of Daegu, Daegu
• Catholic University of Korea, Seoul
• Catholic University of Pusan, Pusan
• Gwangju Catholic University, Naju
• Mokpo Catholic University, Mokpo
• Sogang University, Seoul

Lebanon

• Antonine University, Baabda
• College La Sagesse St Joseph - Ashrafieh, Beirut
• Notre Dame University - Louaize, Zouk Mosbeh
• Saint Joseph University, Beirut
• Université Saint-Esprit de Kaslik, Kaslik

Lithuania

• St. Ignatius of Loyola College, Kaunas(Garliava)

Luxembourg

• Sacred Heart University Luxembourg, Luxembourg City

Madagascar

• Université Catholique de Madagascar, Antananarivo

Malawi

• Catholic University of Malawi, Montfort

Mexico

• Anahuac Mayab University, Mérida
• ITESO, Guadalajara; Jesuit university
• La Salle University of Chihuahua, Chihuahua
• Pontifical University of Mexico, Ciudad de México
• Tamaulipas Institute of Higher Education, Altamira
• Universidad Anáhuac Cancún, Cancún
• Universidad Anáhuac México Norte, Huixquilucan
• Universidad Anáhuac del Sur, Ciudad de México
• Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara, Guadalajara
• Universidad de Monterrey, Monterrey
• Universidad del Valle, Ciudad de México
• Universidad del Valle de Atemajac, Zapopan
• Universidad Iberoamericana, Noroeste
• Universidad Iberoamericana, Plantel Laguna
• Universidad Iberoamericana, Santa Fe, Cuidad de México
• Universidad Intercontinental, Ciudad de México
• Universidad La Salle, Ciudad de México
• Universidad Panamericana, Ciudad de México
• Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla, Puebla

Mozambique

• Catholic University of Mozambique (Universidade Católica de Moçambique), Beira

Nepal

• St. Xavier's College, Kathmandu, Kathmandu

Netherlands

• Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen (non ex corde)
• University of Tilburg, Tilburg

New Zealand

• The Catholic Institute of Aotearoa New Zealand, Wellington

Nicaragua

• Catholic University of Dry Tropic Farming and Livestock, Estelí
• Catholic University Redemptoris Mater, Managua
• Central American University (Managua), Managua

Nigeria

• Caritas University, Amorji-Nike
• Catholic University of Nigeria, Abuja; Veritas University
• Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu
• Madonna University (Ihiala), Ihiala
• Our Saviour Institute of Science and Technology, Enugu

Pakistan

• Notre Dame Institute of Education, Karachi
• Sargodha Institute of Technology, Sargodha

Palestine

• Bethlehem University, Bethlehem

Panama

• Universidad Católica Santa María La Antigua, Panama City

Papua New Guinea

• Divine Word University, Madang

Paraguay

• Universidad Católica Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, Asuncion

Peru

• Antonio Ruiz de Montoya University, Lima
• Catholic University Los Angeles of Chimbote, Chimbote
• Catholic University of Santa María, Arequipa
• Catholic University of Trujillo, Trujillo
• Universidad Católica de San Pablo, Arequipa
• Universidad de San Martín de Porres, Lima
• University of Piura, Piura & Lima
• University of the Pacific (Peru), Lima

Philippines

Main article: List of Catholic universities and colleges in the Philippines

There are more than 40 universities — besides many colleges — in the Philippine Catholic Church. Among these universities some are;

• Angeles University Foundation, Angeles City
• Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City
• Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Manila
• De La Salle University, Manila
• Holy Angel University, Angeles City
• Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines, Manila
• Saint Louis University (Philippines), Baguio City
• Saint Mary's University, Bayombong
• University of Saint Louis Tuguegarao, Cagayan

Poland

• Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Warsaw
• Jesuit University of Philosophy and Education Ignatianum, Kraków
• John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Lublin
• Opole University, Opole
• Pontifical University of John Paul II, Kraków

Portugal

• Catholic University of Portugal, Lisbon; Porto; Minho ; Viseu
• Paula Frassinetti-Superior School of Education, Porto

Puerto Rico

• Bayamon Central University, Bayamon
• Ponce School of Medicine, Ponce
• Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, Ponce
• University of the Sacred Heart, Santurce, San Juan

Romania

• Roman Catholic Theological Institute of Iaşi, Iaşi

Rwanda

• Catholic University of Kabgayi, Gitarama

Sierra Leone

• University of Makeni, Makeni

Singapore

• LASALLE College of the Arts, Singapore

Slovakia

• Catholic University in Ružomberok, Ružomberok
• Faculty of Theology, University of Trnava, Bratislava

South Africa

• St Augustine College of South Africa, Johannesburg

South Sudan

• Catholic University of South Sudan, Juba & Wau
• St. Mary's University in Juba, Juba

Spain

• Abat Oliba CEU University, Barcelona
• Catholic University of Ávila, Avila
• CEU San Pablo University, Madrid
• Comillas Pontifical University, Madrid
• ESADE, Barcelona
• Loyola University Andalusia, Cordoba & Seville
• Pontifical University of Salamanca, Salamanca
• Ramon Llull University, Barcelona
• Saint Louis University Madrid Campus, Madrid
• Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia, Murcia
• Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera, Valencia
• Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Madrid
• University of Deusto, Bilbao
• University of Navarre, Pamplona
• Valencia Catholic University Saint Vincent Martyr, Valencia

Sri Lanka

• Aquinas University College, Colombo

Sudan

• Comboni College for Science and Technology, Khartoum

Sweden

• Newman Institute (Uppsala), Uppsala

Switzerland

• Faculty of Theology University of Lucerne, Luzern
• University of Fribourg, Fribourg

Taiwan

• Cardinal Tien College of Healthcare and Management, New Taipei
• Fu Jen Catholic University, Taipei
• Providence University, Taichung
• Wenzao Ursuline College of Languages, Kaohsiung

Tanzania

• Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza
• Ruaha Catholic University, Iringa
• St. Augustine University of Tanzania, Nyegezi & Malimbe
• St. Joseph University In Tanzania, Dar es Salaam

Thailand

• Assumption University, Bangkok
• Saint John's Group of Schools and University, Bangkok

Uganda

• Uganda Martyrs University, Nkozi

Ukraine

• Superior Institute of Religious Sciences of St. Thomas Aquinas, Kiev
• Ukrainian Catholic University, Lviv

United Arab Emirates

• Saint Joseph University - Dubai, Dubai

United Kingdom

• Digby Stuart College, London; constituent college of University of Roehampton
• Heythrop College, London; constituent college of University of London
• Leeds Trinity University, Leeds
• Newman University, Birmingham
• St. Mary's University College (Belfast), Belfast
• St Mary's University, Twickenham, London

United States

Main articles: History of Catholic education in the United States and List of Roman Catholic universities and colleges in the United States

There are 244 Catholic higher education degree-granting institutions in the United States. Among the most well known are Boston College, Georgetown University, University of Notre Dame, and The Catholic University of America.

Uruguay

• Universidad Católica del Uruguay Dámaso Antonio Larrañaga, Montevideo
• Universidad de Montevideo, Montevideo

Vatican

• Alphonsian Academy ; Redemptorists
• Institute of the Theology of the Consecrated Life Claretianum ; Claretians
• Patristic Institute Augustinianum ; Augustinians
• Pontificio Ateneo Sant Anselmo ; Benedictine
• Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum ; Legionaries of Christ
• Pontifical Biblical Institute ; Jesuits
• Pontifical Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies ; White Fathers
• Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music
• Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family
• Pontifical Oriental Institute ; Jesuits
• Pontifical University Antonianum ; Franciscans
• Pontificia Università Gregoriana ; Jesuits
• Pontificia Università Lateranense ; Diocese of Rome
• Pontifical University of the Holy Cross ; Opus Dei
• Pontifical University of St. Bonaventure ; Conventual Franciscans
• Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) ; Dominicans
• Pontifical Urbaniana University ; Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples
• Salesian Pontifical University ; Salesians

Venezuela

• Andrés Bello Catholic University, Caracas
• Santa Rosa Catholic University, Caracas
• Universidad Monteávila, Caracas
• Universidad Católica del Táchira, San Cristóbal

Vietnam

• Loyola University Chicago Vietnam Center, Ho Chi Minh City

Zambia

• Charles Lwanga College of Education, Monze
• DMI St. Eugene University, Chibombo & Chipata
• Zambia Catholic University, Kalulushi

Zimbabwe

• Catholic University of Zimbabwe, Harare

Academic rankings

Some of the universities, including Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, are ranked in the top list of universities according to the Times Higher Education journal. There is so far no list of academic rankings of Catholic universities.