What Verdica's 753 score means for The Catholic University of America
The Catholic University of America's composite score of 753 places it in the "strong" band (740–799), indicating an education provider with solid regulatory standing and institutional performance. This score reflects data from accreditation status, Title IV federal student aid compliance, and enrollment and outcome metrics reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
For a prospective student, employer, or partner evaluating this institution, a score of 753 signals that the university has met or exceeded baseline regulatory requirements and demonstrates measurable student outcomes. It is not in the highest excellence tier (800–850), nor does it carry elevated or high-risk flags. The takeaway: this is a credibly regulated institution without apparent compliance red flags, though individual program quality or outcomes may vary. Readers should still cross-check specific programs and graduation rates relevant to their needs rather than rely solely on the composite score.
How the sub-scores break down
Accreditation: 820 (excellent)
The accreditation sub-score reflects the institution's regional or programmatic accreditation status as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. A score of 820 indicates that The Catholic University of America holds valid accreditation and maintains compliance with accrediting body standards. Accreditation is the primary quality gate for higher education: without it, students cannot access federal financial aid, and the institution loses regulatory legitimacy. A strong accreditation score means the university has passed peer review and meets established educational standards.
Student Outcomes: 620 (elevated)
The student outcomes sub-score draws from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) metrics such as graduation rates, retention rates, and employment or earnings data. A score of 620 falls in the "elevated" band, suggesting that outcomes are above minimum thresholds but lag behind higher-performing peers. This could reflect moderate graduation rates, mixed employment outcomes, or variation across program types. For prospective students, this warrants deeper inquiry into the specific program, graduation timeline, and post-graduation employment data rather than relying on the aggregate score.
Compliance: 830 (excellent)
The compliance sub-score evaluates Title IV federal student aid program integrity, loan default rates, and adherence to Department of Education regulations. A score of 830 indicates the university maintains strong compliance with federal requirements, manages student loan portfolios responsibly, and has not triggered regulatory sanctions or heightened monitoring. Compliance infractions—such as loan default rates exceeding thresholds, misreporting of data, or violation of student loan servicing rules—would lower this score significantly.
What regulators in DC track for education providers
The District of Columbia's education regulatory ecosystem centers on three primary data streams:
Accreditation is managed by regional bodies (e.g., MSCHE for Middle States) and programmatic accreditors. Loss of accreditation or warning status is the most severe signal in higher education.
Title IV Compliance includes monitoring of the federal student aid program. The Department of Education tracks loan default cohort rates (typically measured at the two-year mark), enrollment reporting accuracy, and whether institutions comply with net price disclosure and consumer protection rules. Repeated violations can result in heightened monitoring, provisional certification, or loss of aid eligibility.
IPEDS Data is the standardized national reporting system through which institutions disclose enrollment, demographics, costs, graduation rates, and financial aid. These figures are public and searchable; misreporting carries compliance penalties.
Violations that move scores downward include sustained high loan default rates, accreditation warnings or loss, Title IV program violations, and consistent underreporting or misreporting of student outcome data.
Bottom line
The Catholic University of America scores well on accreditation and compliance but shows moderate student outcomes. For prospective students or employers, this suggests a credible, regulated institution without immediate red flags—but outcomes variation means you should verify graduation and employment data for your specific program of interest before enrolling or recruiting.