The Catholic University of America officially opened as an institution of higher education in 1889. It is the only National University of the Catholic Church in the United States and is unique among universities in the United States even among Catholic universities. The university seeks to cultivate a new generation of Catholic Minds, to find new and exciting ways to apply the inexhaustible resources of the Catholic intellectual tradition, and to take the best thinking of Catholic Minds, past and present, to help solve the problems of contemporary life and enrich the culture around it.

Students choose from among 72 bachelor's programs, 103 master's programs and 66 doctoral programs. The University began offering undergraduate education in 1904. It has thousands of undergraduates and graduate students enrolled in 12 schools of architecture and planning, arts and sciences, business and economics, canon law, engineering, law, professional studies, music, nursing, philosophy, social service, and theology and religious studies. All of the schools offer graduate degrees and/or professional degrees.

The University is the largest college campus in Washington, DC. It is a 176-acre residential campus, the largest and greenest in the city. It's Brookland neighbourhood, with restaurants and retail shops adjacent to campus, is the perfect complement to on-campus living.