2019 List of Accredited Online Catholic Colleges

Founded in 1898 and named after the 17th-century French priest Saint Vincent de Paul, DePaul University is a private Roman Catholic university located in Chicago, Illinois. The university offers several online Bachelor of Arts programs, dozens of online Master of Science programs, a number of online certificate programs and hundreds of online courses. Some of the degree programs are fully online, while others are available in a hybrid format. The university’s mission is centered on “Vincentian personalism,” a belief that every person has inherent, God-given dignity and should be treated accordingly. The curricula for both online and traditional on-campus programs stress the values of inclusivity, personalism and professionalism.

A private Jesuit institution in Jersey City, New Jersey, St. Peter’s University was founded in 1872 by the Society of Jesus. The university strives to provide a rigorous academic education, while preparing students to become ethical leaders who are ready to serve their community and promote social justice. They offer more than 50 undergraduate and 13 graduate programs. Their online degree programs include a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Higher Education in General Administration. The university is one of 28 Jesuit universities and colleges in the U.S., and the only one located in New Jersey.

Located in Philadelphia and Lower Merion, Pennsylvania, Saint Joseph’s University is a private, coeducational Roman Catholic Jesuit institution. It was founded by the Society of Jesus in 1851. The university’s mission is to promote an inclusive and diverse learning environment that develops the whole person, encourages critical thinking, ethical decision-making, social justice, and finding God's presence in all things. SJU offers a variety of online programs, including certificate, associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fields including general studies, business, psychology, criminal justice, and education. Their MBA is available with many different majors and can be completed in as little as a year. Distance students are provided with services throughout their academic program to help them succeed. These include academic advising, tech support, and interaction with their professors and peers.

Felician University is a private Franciscan college in New Jersey. It has changed names several times since its founding in 1923, with its most recent change in 2015. The university’s stated mission is to provide a strong academic experience to help students reach their full potential, preparing them to face the challenges of the 21st century. The curricula promote a love of learning and desire for God, an awareness of the need to serve others and respect for all of creation. Several online degrees are offered, including several master’s programs, doctoral programs, and an RN to BSN program. Their online religious degree, a Master of Arts in Religious Education, is a 33-credit-hour program that prepares students for educational ministry within the Church.

A private, Roman Catholic liberal arts college located in Worcester, Massachusetts, Assumption College offers several graduate and undergraduate degrees. The institution prepares students for critical thought, responsible citizenship and compassion-based service to others – all against the backdrop of the Catholic tenet of the unity of faith and reason. Some degree programs are available fully online, and others are offered in a blended format. Among the fully online options is a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities with a concentration in theology. In this program, students choose eight courses in the theology concentration with options including Moral Theology, Religion in America, and Religion and Modernity. Distance students receive a wealth of support services to help them succeed, including academic counseling, online tutoring and access to the library.

Founded in 1870 by the Jesuits, Loyola University Chicago is a private Catholic research university located in Chicago, Illinois. Seeking to pass on a strong Catholic tradition and Ignatian heritage, students are called upon to serve others, promote justice, be ethically aware and search for truth. More than a dozen online degree programs are available in such areas as arts and sciences, health sciences, education, and nursing. Several online certificate programs and many individual courses are offered as well. Online religious degrees at Loyola include a Master of Divinity, a Master of Arts in Christian Spirituality, and a Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies. All religious programs can be taken on campus or fully online.

More than a dozen degree programs are offered online at Duquesne University, a private, Catholic university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Bachelor of Science degrees are available in Computer Systems Technology and Organizational Leadership, and an RN-BSN program is also offered. Online master’s degrees are offered in business, education, liberal arts and nursing; three doctorate programs in nursing are available as well. Online students can be assured of an interactive and collaborative virtual classroom environment. Online coursework is as robust as in a traditional classroom, and distance learners are held to the same academic standards. Founded 140 years ago by the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, DU is committed to the highest standard of education; elevated spiritual and moral values; and a diverse, ecumenical environment.

DeSales University, a private Catholic university in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, offers traditional, online and hybrid courses and programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Several online degree programs are available at DU, including a Bachelor of Arts in Theology. This program is delivered in an accelerated format and helps students gain a deeper understanding of the divine calling of every person to a life of love. The 120-credit-hour curriculum explores how faith contributes to a meaningful life, and what it means to embrace the Catholic religion in the humanist tradition of St. Francis de Sales. An online certificate in theology is also available. All of their online programs were designed to allow students to complete their coursework while balancing other commitments.

Saint Louis University is a private, Roman Catholic, four-year research university with campuses in St. Louis, Missouri, and Madrid, Spain. Founded in 1818, it is the oldest university west of the Mississippi and the second-oldest Jesuit university in the country. Boasting an impressive enrollment of nearly 13,000, the school’s academic environment is built on the core values of ethics, spirituality and compassion. The approach to education is holistic, striving to transform mind, body, heart and spirit in order to produce tomorrow’s leaders. Distance learners have more than a dozen degree programs to choose from, as well as several minor and certificate programs. Master’s programs include applied analytics, cybersecurity, leadership and organizational development, and strategic intelligence.

A four-year, coeducational college located in Chicago, Illinois, Saint Xavier University was founded as a women’s college by the Sisters of Mercy in 1846. SXU’s stated mission is to teach students to think critically, communicate effectively, search for truth and benefit others by serving them with compassion. Its eight core values are respect, excellence, compassion, service, hospitality, integrity, diversity and learning for life. Several online bachelor’s and three master’s programs are available – along with three online educational endorsements and eight online certificate programs. At the university’s campus, nearly 70 degree programs are offered through three different schools: the College of Arts and Sciences, the Graham School of Management, and the School of Nursing and Health Sciences.

Located in Romeoville, Illinois, Lewis University is a private, Roman Catholic and Lasallian university with an enrollment of about 6,800 students. More than 100 degree programs are available, with more than a dozen graduate and undergraduate degrees offered fully online, including a Master of Business Administration, a Master of Science in Nursing, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and a Doctorate of Nursing Practice. Some online courses and programs require students to visit the campus for placement tests or proctored exams. LU’s five mission values are knowledge, fidelity, wisdom, justice and association. The school emphasizes the development of the whole person along with the pursuit of wisdom and justice.

Sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, Neumann University in Aston, Pennsylvania, is a private, Roman Catholic liberal arts college. Boasting an enrollment of nearly 2,600 students, NU's academic programs strive to promote a deeper understanding and appreciation of Catholic values. Social responsibility, personal accountability and reverence for all creation are among the core values embodied in the curricula. Two degree programs are fully offered online (the Bachelor of Science in Public Safety Administration and the Master of Science in Education); there are several other degrees available as hybrid programs.

A private Catholic university located in Baltimore, Maryland, Notre Dame of Maryland University was founded in 1873 by the School Sisters of Notre Dame. Students are inspired to serve others, be socially responsible, promote inclusivity in their communities and strive for academic excellence. NDMU offers Maryland’s only women’s college; the university’s three colleges combine for over 30 majors and minors, three five-year programs, and three doctoral degrees. Several online degree programs are offered, including a Bachelor of Arts in Business; master’s programs in contemporary communication and analytics; a Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership for Changing Populations; and an RN to BSN degree.

Brescia University, founded in 1925, is a coeducational Catholic university located in Owensboro, Kentucky. The university’s mission is holistic: to educate the total person in a supportive environment, while preparing them for success in leadership roles and motivating them to embrace justice, ethics, compassion, learning and service to others. More than 50 majors and minors are offered to students at BU, and online programs include five associate degrees, seven bachelor’s degrees and two master’s programs. Included in the university’s online offerings is a Bachelor of Arts in Theology with an emphasis in pastoral studies. Graduates of this program are prepared to pursue a career as a youth minister, high school religion teacher, pastoral minister, director of religious education, catechetical leader or RCIA minister.

The University of St. Francis is a Catholic, Franciscan university with its main campus located in Joliet, Illinois. Through its academic programs, the university infuses its nearly 4,000 students with a desire to pursue not just an education, but knowledge, faith, wisdom and justice. Emphasis is also placed on compassion, peacemaking and respect for creation. Over 70 programs are available at USF, including bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Students seeking to complete their studies online have several options, with the school offering more than a dozen online degree programs – including master’s, bachelor’s and associate degrees. A business certificate and Autism Spectrum Disorders Endorsement program are also offered online.

Located in River Forest, Illinois, Dominican University seeks to combine both faith and reason in a religious education rooted in strong Catholic and Dominican traditions. Beyond receiving top-quality instruction, students leave with a stronger sense of the value of themselves and others along with a heightened awareness of their responsibility to the community. The university offers more than 50 undergraduate majors. Students can complete a bachelor’s degree in nursing, legal studies or human services online. A Master of Science in Accounting and an MBA are also available online. Their Master of Arts in Conflict Resolution is available as a mostly-online program, with two five-day intensive courses held on campus. Many online and off-campus courses are offered as well.

A private, Catholic liberal arts college, Anna Maria College is located in Paxton, Massachusetts. Their holistic approach to education prepares students to become leaders and professionals with a strong sense of ethics who are inspired to change the world around them. A Bachelor of Science in Fire Science and a Master of Public Administration, or MPA, are available online. The MPA is offered with a general track or with one of four different specializations: criminal justice, emergency management, fire and emergency services, and homeland security. The curricula of online programs are identical to their on-campus counterparts, and graduates have the same credentials and advantages as students who earn their degree in a traditional classroom environment.

Founded in 1940 by the Adrian Dominican Sisters, Barry University is a private Catholic university located in Miami Shores, Florida. The university’s mission is to foster a rich educational environment that inspires students to seek knowledge and truth, with a view to changing both themselves and the world around them. More than 100 degree programs are available at the university, with several online degree programs offered. Students can earn a degree online that opens up career opportunities in administration, management, health services, and other fields.

Founded in 1960 by the Brothers of Christian Instruction, Walsh University is a non-profit, coeducational Roman Catholic institution located in North Canton, Ohio. The university’s mission is to encourage students to allow the example and teachings of Jesus Christ to guide them both inside and outside of the classroom. WU boasts nearly 3,000 students from 40 states and 34 countries and has a satellite campus near Rome, Italy. The university offers nearly 100 bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degree programs. WU also has a generous offering of online programs, with more than 10 undergraduate and graduate degrees available in multiple tracks and concentrations. Additionally, WU offers an online Doctor of Nursing Practice.

Located in Great Falls, Montana, the University of Providence is a private Roman Catholic university that was founded in 1932 as a college for women. It became coeducational five years later. The university offers a variety of associate, undergraduate, and graduate degrees. Students who qualify can study abroad in Italy, England, or Sweden. Additionally, more than a dozen degree programs are available online in fields including business, healthcare, counseling and criminal justice. Distance students can “attend” class live, or view courses at their convenience. UP’s mission is to provide students with a liberal arts education for “living and making a living.” They are encouraged to develop character, competence and commitment. The programs stress the importance of contributing to the community, as well as searching for and understanding truth.

Founded in 1955 by the Society of Mary, Chaminade University is a private, Marianist university (one of only three among Catholic colleges in the U.S.) on Hawaii’s island of Oahu. The curricula are firmly ensconced in a nurturing environment designed to develop the whole person – mind, body, and spirit. More than a dozen online degree programs are available at the university – including associate programs and bachelor’s degree programs. Included is an online Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies. The program gives students a firm foundation in both Roman Catholic theology and Marianist philosophy. It delves into such subjects as faith, ethics, spiritual growth and social justice, as well as the history of Catholic teachings and the Church’s relationship with other major religions in the world.

A private, Catholic liberal arts school located in Nashua, New Hampshire, Rivier University was founded in 1933 by the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary. It was named after its primary foundress, Anne-Marie Rivier, and boasts an enrollment of approximately 2,500 students. The university’s curricula are infused with Judeo-Christian and Catholic values. The university’s holistic approach is aimed at influencing both the minds and hearts of students so they are prepared to change the world in significant ways after graduation. More than a dozen online degree programs are available, including master’s and bachelor’s programs and one doctorate; most have a health care focus. Online programs are offered in a convenient format and distance students have access to services such as personal advising, program resources and tech support.

Marian University, located in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, is a coeducational Roman Catholic liberal arts university that was founded in 1936 by the Congregation of Sisters of Saint Agnes. The values-based education that students receive is designed to go outside of the classroom; the university seeks to transform the heart and mind so graduates are prepared for a life of leadership and service to others. A total of 10 undergraduate and seven graduate degree programs are offered. One of their unique offerings is a Master of Science in Thanatology, which teaches students how to support individuals and families dealing with end-of-life issues, loss, and bereavement. Online programs are delivered in either a 7-week accelerated format, a traditional 15-week semester or a flexible schedule, depending on the program chosen.

Founded in 1923 as a nursing school, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University is a private Catholic university in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It is sponsored by the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady, North American Province. The university strives to fulfill the vision of its founders by emphasizing skill in the professional sphere, critical thinking, and faith based on the teachings of the Catholic Church. Community, democracy, and social justice are core values highlighted in the academic programs. The programs are offered through three schools: the School of Arts and Sciences, the School of Health Professionals and the School of Nursing. An RN to BSN and a Master of Health Administration are available fully online, with courses accessible 24/7 and a host of support services offered.

Affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church through the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Immaculata University was founded as a women’s college in 1920. It is a private, co-educational Roman Catholic university located in Malvern, Pennsylvania. More than 75 degree programs are offered at IU, more than a dozen of which are also available online – including associate, master's and bachelor's programs. Catholic tradition remains at the core of IU’s academic offerings; faith, community, knowledge, virtue and service are stressed. A holistic approach to personal and professional development strives to prepare students for leadership roles in society, motivate them to always seek truth, advocate justice and seek ways to promote cooperation between faith and culture.