Head-to-head · 2026
The Catholic University of America vs Trinity Washington University
Compare average net price ($29,561 at The Catholic University of America; $9,302 at Trinity Washington University), ROI score (6.19 vs 14.46), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($73,250 vs $53,804), and admissions selectivity (82.8% acceptance at The Catholic University of America; 99.5% at Trinity Washington University) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | The Catholic University of America | Trinity Washington University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 6.19 | 14.46 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $29,561 | $9,302 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $118,244 | $37,208 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $58,378 | $26,610 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $58,378 | $26,610 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $73,250 ✓ | $53,804 |
| Acceptance rate | 82.8% | 99.5% |
| Graduation rate | 79.5% ✓ | 49.3% |
| Retention rate | 86.5% ✓ | 69.2% |
| Median debt | $26,000 ✓ | $28,250 |
| Enrollment | 3,154 | 1,414 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | The Catholic University of America | Trinity Washington University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $17,358 | $7,928 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $17,895 | $8,554 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $24,723 | $8,502 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $28,295 | $13,623 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $37,651 | $15,307 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | The Catholic University of America | Trinity Washington University |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 10.8% | 13.3% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 6.3% | 7.6% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 0.9% | 10.4% |
| Psychology, General | 6.4% | 3.1% |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 0.3% | 8.1% |
| Political Science and Government | 5.3% | 2.1% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 0.3% | 4.7% |
| Biology, General | 1.6% | 3.1% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Trinity Washington University reports the lower average net price by $20,259 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $81,036 difference over four years ($37,208 vs $118,244).
The Catholic University of America reports $19,446 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($73,250 vs $53,804). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 86.5% at The Catholic University of America and 69.2% at Trinity Washington University. Median federal debt among completers is $26,000 vs $28,250, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
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Frequently asked
The Catholic University of America vs Trinity Washington University, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Trinity Washington University is cheaper — average net price $9,302 per year vs $29,561 at The Catholic University of America. The annual difference of $20,259 adds up to about $81,036 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
The Catholic University of America reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $73,250 vs $53,804 at Trinity Washington University. The gap in the federal data is $19,446. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
The Catholic University of America is more selective at 82.8% acceptance vs 99.5% at Trinity Washington University.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.