Plenty of colleges call themselves Catholic, but not all of them stick to the basics—faith, tradition, and clear moral teaching. For families who care about those things, the options narrow pretty quickly.

While mainstream universities push politics and discord, these Catholic colleges are doubling down on truth. They’re serious about attracting students who know what they believe, why it matters, and how to live it. No woke slogans. No leftist nonsense. Just real education, rooted in faith and reason.

What is the top conservative Catholic college?

Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio is the top conservative Catholic college. This school is all in. Daily Mass is standing room only, and confession lines wrap around the building. Nearly the entire student body is Catholic. Theology professors and school leadership take an oath to uphold Church teaching. In a country drifting away from tradition, Franciscan is a lighthouse for conservative Catholic families.

List of the top conservative Catholic colleges

Each of the colleges below has earned a reputation for a strong Catholic identity, a serious academic mission, and a campus life rooted in tradition. They’re all recommended by trusted voices like the Cardinal Newman Society and backed by a growing number of Catholic families.

Franciscan University of Steubenville 

Where: Steubenville, OH

Acceptance rate: 72%

This university is known for its creative theology programs, healthy student households, and commitment to orthodoxy. Franciscan has seen major growth, and its campus life centers around the sacraments.

Thomas Aquinas College 

Where: Santa Paula, CA & Northfield, MA

Acceptance rate: 79%

With its Great Books curriculum and deep focus on Catholic philosophy, TAC is all about serious learning and faith formation. Students read the classics, attend daily Mass, and live in a tight-knit Catholic community.

Christendom College

Where: Front Royal, VA

Acceptance rate: 83%

Christendom takes no federal funding, so it can stay fully Catholic. The college has a strong liberal arts foundation and an environment that encourages vocations, mission work, and lifelong faithfulness.

Ave Maria University

Where: Ave Maria, FL

Acceptance rate: 43%

Founded in the early 2000s, this Florida college has grown fast by staying rooted in the truth. Students attend daily Mass, engage with strong Catholic faculty, and enjoy a rich spiritual life.

Benedictine College

Where: Atchison, KS

Acceptance rate: 76%

This Benedictine-run college has doubled down on its Catholic identity and seen increased enrollment. It connects deeply with the classical education movement and emphasizes a values-based student culture.

Belmont Abbey College

Where: Belmont, NC

Acceptance rate: 97%

Located in North Carolina’s Bible Belt, Belmont Abbey draws both Catholic and non-Catholic students with its focus on virtue, tradition, and welcoming community life—all grounded in the Benedictine way.

University of Dallas

Where: Irving, TX

Acceptance rate: 54%

UD’s core curriculum is built on Western civilization and Catholic thought. With its popular Rome program and close-knit student body, it’s a favorite among homeschoolers and classical educators.

University of Mary

Where: Bismarck, ND

Acceptance rate: 81%

This growing Catholic university offers a strong Catholic culture and a serious commitment to forming servant leaders. Its programs mix faith and professional preparation without compromise.

Thomas More College of Liberal Arts

Where: Merrimack, NH

Acceptance rate: N/A

TMC is small but mighty. With a heavy focus on Catholic tradition, beauty, and truth, students read the classics, attend daily Mass, and participate in campus life that’s centered on virtue.

Wyoming Catholic College

Where: Lander, WY

Acceptance rate: 97%

This college offers a creative mix of Catholic formation, Great Books learning, and wilderness adventure. No cell phones. No distractions. Just faith, fellowship, and instruction in the mountains of Wyoming.