• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Elizabeth Scalia
          • Michael R. Heinlein
          • Effie Caldarola
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Mark Viviano
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • Magazine Subscriptions
        • Archdiocesan Directory
  • CR Radio
        • CR Radio
        • Protagonistas de Fe
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe
Economist Anirban Basu, who was raised in the Hindu faith and graduated from Georgetown University, a Jesuit college in Washington, D.C., speaks with an attendee following his talk on his findings from a study he completed on the value of Catholic education from an economic and community perspective at Notre Dame Preparatory School Sept. 10 in Towson. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

Economist: ‘Rate of return of a Catholic education is very, very high’

September 27, 2024
By Katie V. Jones
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Schools

Share
Share on Facebook
Share
Share this
Pin
Pin this
Share
Share on LinkedIn

Is Catholic education special?

Eileen D’Andrea always thought it was, and she was thrilled after listening to Anirban Basu, chairman and CEO of Sage Policy Group, speak on the value of Catholic education during a Sept. 10 presentation that attracted about 100 people to Notre Dame Preparatory School in Towson.

“I thought it was so helpful to hear what I always felt,” D’Andrea said. “And that it is backed up by statistics.”

St. Ursula School, Parkville, fifth-grader Dominic Grab, kindergartener Samantha Grab and third-grader Luke Thompson celebrate their teachers during a special August 30 assembly. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

According to the National Catholic Educational Association, Catholic schools in the United States had a 98.9 percent graduation rate last academic year. That compares to 86 percent for public schools, 98.2 percent for other religious schools and 90 percent for non-sectarian schools.

The percentage of high school graduates who attend a four-year college is 85.2 percent among Catholic schools, 43 percent among public schools, 63.7 percent for other religious schools and 55.6 percent for non-sectarian schools.

The NCEA estimates that Catholic schools provide $24.3 billion in savings each year for the nation.

“I am not a Catholic,” Basu admitted upfront to the crowd. “I’m not saying every day is perfect in Catholic schools, but when the goal is to develop the entire person … that’s why it is a superior outcome.”

Economist Anirban Basu, who was raised in the Hindu faith and graduated from Georgetown University, a Jesuit college in Washington, D.C., shares his findings from a study he completed on the value of Catholic education. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

Basu noted that students in Catholic schools are much more likely to graduate from high school and go to college. While trade schools are becoming popular, people with a four-year degree on average earn more, Basu said, which allows them to spend more.

Public schools, he said, have many challenges, including constant assessments, various testing requirements and behavioral issues. Public education is also “very political and it is difficult to figure out what to do,” he said.

“Maryland spends a phenomenal amount on public education,” Basu said. “A lot of that money doesn’t make it to the classroom.”

The administration in Catholic schools, he said, had to become efficient when enrollment started falling several years ago. The Archdiocese of Baltimore was “thoughtful, mindful and made the numbers work,” he said, by closing schools and stabilizing enrollment.

“It is hard to compete with free (public schools),” he said. “The rate of return of a Catholic education is very, very high.”

Archdiocese of Baltimore student achievement highlights

  • 99.9 percent high school graduation rate
  • More than 97 percent matriculation to college or military service
  • Educational costs in Maryland compared
  • $19,820  Maryland’s average cost per student in public school classrooms
  • $8,762  Catholic schools average elementary/middle school cost per student
  • $16,826 – Catholic high schools’ average cost per student
  • 7,475 families apply for financial aid (2023-24 school year)
  • $2,502,638  archdiocesan financial aid awarded (2023-24 school year)

Source: Archdiocese of Baltimore

Read More Schools

Cumberland Knott scholar Joseph Khachan a perfect fit for program’s mission in Western Maryland  

Education gala raises $1.1 million with ‘testament to Catholic education’

Top-performing students honored as Distinctive Scholars

Black Hawk helicopter pilot has passion for service and the skies

Catholic school teacher rescues father and son in Inner Harbor

Notre Dame’s ACE Teaching fellows to serve in Baltimore Catholic schools through new partnership

Copyright © 2024 Catholic Review Media

Print Print

Share
Share on Facebook
Share
Share this
Pin
Pin this
Share
Share on LinkedIn

Primary Sidebar

Katie V. Jones

Click here to view all posts from this author

For the latest news delivered twice a week via email or text message, sign up to receive our free enewsletter.

| MOST POPULAR |

  • Chicago native Cardinal Prevost elected pope, takes name Leo XIV

  • U.S. cardinal’s résumé, demeanor land him on ‘papabile’ lists

  • Who was Pope Leo XIII, the father of social doctrine?

  • Kenyan cardinal claims he wasn’t invited for conclave; Vatican says invite is automatic

  • Advocates of abuse victims are rooting for a Filipino pope — and it’s not Cardinal Tagle

| Latest Local News |

Baltimore-area Catholics pray for new pope, express excitement for his leadership

Archbishop Lori surprised, heartened by selection of American pope

Missionary discipleship sees growth after Seek the City initiative

Knights of Columbus honored for pro-life support

Cumberland Knott scholar Joseph Khachan a perfect fit for program’s mission in Western Maryland  

| Latest World News |

Pilgrim Passport to 3 Wisconsin Marian shrines help faithful mark their Jubilee journey

Pope Leo to inaugurate his papacy May 18; a look at his May calendar

Report: Some House GOP members object to removing Planned Parenthood funds from Trump bill

New pope calls for Christian witness in world that finds faith ‘absurd’

Full text of first public homily of Pope Leo XIV

| Catholic Review Radio |

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • Pilgrim Passport to 3 Wisconsin Marian shrines help faithful mark their Jubilee journey
  • Who is our new pope, Pope Leo XIV?
  • Pope Leo to inaugurate his papacy May 18; a look at his May calendar
  • Report: Some House GOP members object to removing Planned Parenthood funds from Trump bill
  • Movie Review: ‘Another Simple Favor’
  • New pope calls for Christian witness in world that finds faith ‘absurd’
  • Full text of first public homily of Pope Leo XIV
  • Midwest Augustinians celebrate in Pope Leo XIV a brother ‘rooted in the spirit of St. Augustine’
  • Pope Leo XIV: A biographical timeline

Search

Membership

Catholic Media Assocation

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2025 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED