The purpose of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, founded in 1899, is to promote and strengthen the mission and character of Catholic higher education in the United States and to serve as its collective voice.

Through research, publications, conferences, consultations, special programs, and standing relationships with other agencies, ACCU encourages and facilitates sharing of ideas and cooperative efforts among its member institutions. ACCU’s journal, Current Issues in Catholic Higher Education, is published semi-annually, and its electronic newsletter, Update, quarterly.

Contact with the Catholic hierarchy is maintained principally through the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Congregation for Catholic Education of the Holy See.

The Association also actively works with other Catholic organizations such as the National Catholic Educational Association, the National Catholic College Admission Association, the Association for Student Affairs at Catholic Colleges and Universities, the Catholic Higher Education Research Cooperative, the Catholic Hospital Association, Catholic Charities, and the National Leadership Roundtable on Church Management.

The Association maintains national, international and ecumenical relations with other higher education institutions through membership in the Washington Higher Education Secretariat of the American Council of Education, the Association of Executives in Church-related Higher Education, the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, and the International Federation of Catholic Universities. ACCU also maintains ongoing relations with the Catholic and secular media and with organizations conducting research concerning Catholic higher education.