There are several Catholic colleges in Texas, and it may be a bit cumbersome to decide which to attend. Each university is unique in course offerings, sports, and life on campus. Below, we'll give you some help by looking at five Catholic Texas colleges to see which might work best.
School Comparison
Most of the colleges listed in this table can be attended for less than $50,000 per year. With financial aid assistance available through all of these schools, any university can be accessible.
| School Name | Institution Type | Location | Undergraduate Tuition (2021-2022)* |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of the Incarnate Word | 4-year, private not-for-profit | San Antonio, TX | $33,100 |
| University of St. Thomas | 4-year, private not-for-profit | Houston, TX | $31,560 |
| University of Dallas | 4-year, private not-for-profit | Irving, TX | $46,864 |
| Saint Edward's University | 4-year, private not-for-profit | Austin, TX | $49,996 |
| St. Mary's University | 4-year, private not-for-profit | San Antonio, TX | $34,564 |
Source: *National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Overview of Catholic Universities in Texas
At Roman Catholic colleges, such as the ones found below, campus ministry is a very important part of student life. There are many programs and traditions that keep students engaged with the community and their own relationship with God.
University of the Incarnate Word
The University of the Incarnate Word works to ensure a successful first year for new students with the First Year Engagement program. Located in the Chapel Building, mentors help freshmen select their major, hone time management skills, learn about campus resources, and develop a sense of community. Also in the Chapel Building is the campus ministry office. Along with providing masses, the school puts together annual projects, such as the Golden Harvest and Into the Streets. Also, there are plenty of retreats, Bible study, and student counseling opportunities available. This college encourages diversity, and its students are 63% Hispanic and 63% female, according to NCES in 2021. With roughly 90 undergraduate majors and minors, there are plenty of areas from which you can choose.
University of St. Thomas
The University of St. Thomas, located in Houston, boasts small undergraduate class sizes of roughly 20 students, says the school website in 2022. St. Thomas has almost 40 undergraduate majors, including cell and molecular biology, general business, French, international developments, music education, nursing, and, of course, theology. Along with academics, there are a ton of on-campus activities to get involved in. The University of St. Thomas has retreats, campus worship opportunities, recreational sports, fitness classes, and the annual Celt's Day of Service. The Day of Service has become a tradition in which all students get out into the greater Houston area and help the community. Along with this, almost all the holidays are celebrated with campus activities and ways to strengthen your community spirit, such as pumpkin carving at Neewollah (Halloween spelled backwards) and drinking hot cocoa at a tree-lighting ceremony.
University of Dallas
In the 2020-2021 school year, 100% of undergraduate students who applied for financial aid at the University of Dallas received grants or scholarships, according to NCES. In the fall of 2021, there were 1,500 undergraduates enrolled in 29 majors and 1,038 graduate students enrolled in 20 graduate programs. Campus ministry is very present on campus, even so far as providing advice on how to become a priest or other member of clergy. The university also holds a summer Vocation Awareness Program to inform the public and students on what it is like to be clergy. There are also regular meetings of the Serra Club, an organization that encourages religious life and careers.
St. Edward's University
According to the 2022 U.S. News & World Report best colleges list, St. Edward's University ranked #8 as a top regional university in the West. The school has plenty of activities on campus, with 13 NCAA Division II teams, over 130 student organizations, and spiritual life opportunities. One program that is popular is an off-campus activity called the Service Break Experience, during which you can spend your summer, spring break, or other breaks in service and immersion. With this program, you'll spend almost a year preparing for your break and making sure it meets all four pillars the school encourages: justice, simple living, spirituality, and community. Spirituality doesn't end there, since the chapel is open from 8 am to 6 pm every day, with access 24-hours with a school ID. Also, there are retreats, Bible study, and Adoration Host given weekly. Some of the many undergraduate programs available at St. Edward's include kinesiology, criminology, photocommunications, medical laboratory science, and video game development.
St. Mary's University
According to the school website in 2022, St. Mary's University promotes an 11:1 student-to-teacher ratio, which keeps classroom learning intimate and personal. St. Mary's is unsurprisingly a Marianist Catholic College, meaning that it belongs to the Society of Mary and the Daughter of Mary Immaculate. Along with weekday masses and Sunday mass, every Thursday there is confession available in the Assumption Chapel. There are 13 residence halls on campus, and for any student with an address outside of Bexar County, living on campus is a requirement. Also an NCAA Division II member, St. Mary's has five men's sports teams and six women's to get involved with. St. Mary's offers over 50 undergraduate programs for students, including forensic science, nursing, finance and risk management, biochemistry, and electrical engineering.