Catholic School CompassTrue north for Catholic families.
Ball State University: Book (6130919542)
Photo: Rafaela Ely, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

College · Catholic life on campus

Ball State University

  • LocationMuncie, IN
  • Type and sizePublic · 4-year · 20,440 students
Official website
Campus Ministry Honor Roll badge

Ball State University is not a Catholic college. This rating measures Catholic life on campus: campus ministry, priests, Mass and confession, student groups, and nearby parishes.

The Catholic campus ministry for Ball State is Cardinal Catholic, a ministry of the Muncie Catholic Pastorate based at St. Francis of Assisi Parish at 1200 W. Riverside Avenue. The published schedule lists Monday to Friday Mass at 5:30 PM and Sunday Masses at 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM and 5:30 PM at St. Francis, weekly confession, and a Newman house, with a FOCUS team, student Bible studies and retreats listed.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 4

  • Sunday9:00 AMSt. Francis of Assisi, 1200 W. Riverside Avenue
  • Sunday11:00 AMSt. Francis of Assisi, 1200 W. Riverside Avenue · Mass moved to St. Francis from June 15, 2026 during St. Mary restoration.
  • Sunday5:30 PMSt. Francis of Assisi, 1200 W. Riverside Avenue · Followed by Sunday Supper.
  • Monday–Friday5:30 PMSt. Francis of Assisi, 1200 W. Riverside Avenue

Confession 2

  • Monday–Friday5:00 PMSt. Francis of Assisi, 1200 W. Riverside Avenue · Listed 5:00 to 5:20 PM.
  • Sunday4:30 PMSt. Francis of Assisi, 1200 W. Riverside Avenue · Listed 4:30 to 5:00 PM.

Adoration 4

  • Wednesday6:00 PMSt. Francis of Assisi, 1200 W. Riverside Avenue · Listed 6:00 to 7:00 PM when Ball State is in session.
  • Sunday12:00 PMAdoration Chapel, 100 N. Celia · Listed 12:00 to 6:00 PM.
  • Monday–Friday6:00 AMAdoration Chapel, 100 N. Celia · Listed 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
  • Saturday6:00 AMAdoration Chapel, 100 N. Celia · Listed 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Times come only from official parish, chaplaincy, or school pages, and can change with the season. Last verified Oct. 12, 2026.

Sources for these times (2)
  1. Muncie Catholic Pastoratemunciecatholic.com/cardinalcatholic · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “9:00 AM English English EN St. Francis 11:00 AM English English EN St. Mary: Beginning June 15, 2026 - Restoration begins; Mass held at St. Francis of Assisi”
    Sunday Masses at St. Francis are listed at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM.
    “9:00 AM English English EN St. Francis 11:00 AM English English EN St. Mary: Beginning June 15, 2026 - Restoration begins; Mass held at St. Francis of Assisi”
    Sunday Masses at St. Francis are listed at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM.
    “8:15 AM English English EN St. Mary 5:30 PM English English EN St. Francis Tuesday: 12:15 PM English English EN St. Lawrence 5:30 PM English English EN St. Francis Wednesday: 8:15 AM English English EN St. Mary 5:30 PM English English EN St. Francis Thursday: 12:15 PM English English EN St. Lawrence 5:30 PM English English EN St. Francis Friday: 8:15 AM English English EN St. Mary 5:30 PM English English EN St. Francis Saturday: 8:15 AM English English EN St. Mary”
    Weekday Masses at St. Francis are listed at 5:30 PM Monday through Friday.
    “Monday 7:45 AM to 8:05 AM St. Mary 5:00 PM to 5:20 PM St. Francis Tuesday 11:45 AM to 12:05 PM St. Lawrence 5:00 PM to 5:20 PM St. Francis Wednesday 7:45 AM to 8:05 AM St. Mary 5:00 PM to 5:20 PM St. Francis Thursday 11:45 AM to 12:05 PM St. Lawrence 5:00 PM to 5:20 PM St. Francis Friday 7:45 AM to 8:05 AM St. Mary 5:00 PM to 5:20 PM St. Francis”
    Weekday confession is listed at St. Francis at 5:00 to 5:20 PM.
    “Sunday 12:00 PM to 12:20 PM Español: San Lorenzo: Agosto 10, 17, 31; Septiembre 7, 21, 28 4:30 PM to 5:00 PM St. Francis”
    Sunday confession is listed at St. Francis at 4:30 to 5:00 PM.
    “Wednesday 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM St. Francis of Assisi (When Ball State in session)”
    Adoration is listed Wednesday 6:00 to 7:00 PM at St. Francis when Ball State is in session.
    “Sunday 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM Adoration Chapel (100 N. Celia) MonFri 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM Adoration Chapel (100 N. Celia)”
    Adoration Chapel at 100 N. Celia has listed hours.
    “Sunday 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM Adoration Chapel (100 N. Celia) MonFri 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM Adoration Chapel (100 N. Celia)”
    Adoration Chapel at 100 N. Celia has listed hours.
    “Saturday 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM Adoration Chapel (100 N. Celia)”
    Adoration Chapel at 100 N. Celia is open Saturday 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
  2. Muncie Catholic Pastoratemunciecatholic.com/get-involved · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Join us for weekly free dinner on Sundays, following the St. Francis 5:30pm Mass.”
    Sunday dinner follows the 5:30 pm Mass at St. Francis.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Ball State University, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches0.25 mi0.5 mi1 miSaint Mary Catholic Church: 0.7 mi1St. Francis of Assisi Parish (Cardinal Catholic and Newman house): 0.6 miBall State University (campus)N0.5 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Saint Mary Catholic Church — 0.7 mi · 2300 West Jackson Street, Muncie

Within 3 miles, as mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors. The map may be incomplete. Confirm with the parish or diocese.

Catholic life scorecard

Each line is one thing we looked for. A check means yes, a half means partly, a dash means no. “Not enough information” means official sources did not say.

ACatholic life on campus: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Catholic life on campus

90 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic campus ministry serving this campus (Catholic center, campus ministry, or chaplaincy)Yes
    Sources (2)
    1. Muncie Catholic Pastoratemunciecatholic.com/cardinalcatholic · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Cardinal Catholic is a ministry of the Muncie Catholic Pastorate - located at St. Francis of Assisi Parish.”
      Cardinal Catholic is a ministry of the Muncie Catholic Pastorate, located at St. Francis of Assisi Parish.
    2. Muncie Catholic Pastoratemunciecatholic.com/awakening · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Cardinal Catholic offers very affordable retreats to Ball State students, especially compared to retreats post-grad.”
      Cardinal Catholic offers retreats to Ball State students.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Dedicated Catholic center or chapel on or next to campusNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Priest chaplain assigned to campus ministryPart-time or shared priest (The campus minister is a layperson. Masses are published at St. Francis; the parish priests serve students part-time.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Muncie Catholic Pastoratemunciecatholic.com/cardinalcatholic · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “8:15 AM English English EN St. Mary 5:30 PM English English EN St. Francis Tuesday: 12:15 PM English English EN St. Lawrence 5:30 PM English English EN St. Francis Wednesday: 8:15 AM English English EN St. Mary 5:30 PM English English EN St. Francis Thursday: 12:15 PM English English EN St. Lawrence 5:30 PM English English EN St. Francis Friday: 8:15 AM English English EN St. Mary 5:30 PM English English EN St. Francis Saturday: 8:15 AM English English EN St. Mary”
      Weekday Masses at St. Francis are listed at 5:30 PM Monday through Friday.
    2. Muncie Catholic Pastoratemunciecatholic.com/staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. Eric Underwood Pastor”
      Fr. Eric Underwood is listed as pastor of the Muncie Catholic Pastorate parishes.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Weekday Mass at the campus ministryEvery weekday (5 or more weekdays) (Mass is listed Monday to Friday at 5:30 PM at St. Francis of Assisi, the ministry center.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Muncie Catholic Pastoratemunciecatholic.com/cardinalcatholic · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “8:15 AM English English EN St. Mary 5:30 PM English English EN St. Francis Tuesday: 12:15 PM English English EN St. Lawrence 5:30 PM English English EN St. Francis Wednesday: 8:15 AM English English EN St. Mary 5:30 PM English English EN St. Francis Thursday: 12:15 PM English English EN St. Lawrence 5:30 PM English English EN St. Francis Friday: 8:15 AM English English EN St. Mary 5:30 PM English English EN St. Francis Saturday: 8:15 AM English English EN St. Mary”
      Weekday Masses at St. Francis are listed at 5:30 PM Monday through Friday.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Sunday Mass at the campus ministry or a campus chapelTwo or more weekend Masses (Sunday Masses at St. Francis: 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM (St. Mary Mass moved there from June 15, 2026), and 5:30 PM.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Muncie Catholic Pastoratemunciecatholic.com/cardinalcatholic · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “9:00 AM English English EN St. Francis 11:00 AM English English EN St. Mary: Beginning June 15, 2026 - Restoration begins; Mass held at St. Francis of Assisi”
      Sunday Masses at St. Francis are listed at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM.
    2. Muncie Catholic Pastoratemunciecatholic.com/get-involved · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Join us for weekly free dinner on Sundays, following the St. Francis 5:30pm Mass.”
      Sunday dinner follows the 5:30 pm Mass at St. Francis.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Scheduled confession at the campus ministryWeekly or more often (Scheduled confession at St. Francis Monday to Friday 5:00 to 5:20 PM and Sunday 4:30 to 5:00 PM.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Muncie Catholic Pastoratemunciecatholic.com/cardinalcatholic · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Monday 7:45 AM to 8:05 AM St. Mary 5:00 PM to 5:20 PM St. Francis Tuesday 11:45 AM to 12:05 PM St. Lawrence 5:00 PM to 5:20 PM St. Francis Wednesday 7:45 AM to 8:05 AM St. Mary 5:00 PM to 5:20 PM St. Francis Thursday 11:45 AM to 12:05 PM St. Lawrence 5:00 PM to 5:20 PM St. Francis Friday 7:45 AM to 8:05 AM St. Mary 5:00 PM to 5:20 PM St. Francis”
      Weekday confession is listed at St. Francis at 5:00 to 5:20 PM.
      “Sunday 12:00 PM to 12:20 PM Español: San Lorenzo: Agosto 10, 17, 31; Septiembre 7, 21, 28 4:30 PM to 5:00 PM St. Francis”
      Sunday confession is listed at St. Francis at 4:30 to 5:00 PM.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic student groups and missionary outreach (e.g., FOCUS, Saint Paul's Outreach, Knights of Columbus, Bible studies)Two or more (FOCUS missionary team and student Bible studies run through Cardinal Catholic.)
    Sources (3)
    1. Muncie Catholic Pastoratemunciecatholic.com/learn-about-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Each year, we welcome four FOCUS missionaries to campus.”
      Four FOCUS missionaries are welcomed to campus each year.
    2. Muncie Catholic Pastoratemunciecatholic.com/get-involved · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Bible studies are a core part of what we do-- joining a bible study is one of the best ways to get involved in the community and form lasting friendships with fellow students.”
      Student Bible studies are offered.
    3. Muncie Catholic Pastoratemunciecatholic.com/cardinalcatholic · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Joseph Heaney FOCUS Team Director”
      A FOCUS team director is listed on the ministry page.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Formation programs (retreats, OCIA/RCIA, service, small groups)Two or more kinds (Two kinds listed: retreats (Cardinal Awakening and a spring renewal retreat) and small-group Bible studies.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Muncie Catholic Pastoratemunciecatholic.com/get-involved · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “We host a retreat each semester-- Cardinal Awakening in the fall and a spiritual renewal retreat in the spring”
      A retreat is hosted each semester (Cardinal Awakening in the fall, spiritual renewal in the spring).
      “Bible studies are a core part of what we do-- joining a bible study is one of the best ways to get involved in the community and form lasting friendships with fellow students.”
      Student Bible studies are offered.
      “Join us for weekly free dinner on Sundays, following the St. Francis 5:30pm Mass.”
      Sunday dinner follows the 5:30 pm Mass at St. Francis.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic church within walking distance (computed from OpenStreetMap)Within 1 mile of campusComputed from OpenStreetMap church locations.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Published weekly schedule of Mass, confession, and adoration20 to 29 times a week (22 weekly times documented: 8 Mass, 6 confession, 8 adoration.)Computed from the verified Mass, confession, and adoration times listed on this page (each day a time is offered counts once).

Grades come from the documented indicators under the published rubric. “Not enough information” does not mean the school lacks it.

Strengths

  • Mass is listed on weekdays and on Sundays at St. Francis, with the 5:30 PM Sunday Mass followed by Sunday Supper.
    Sources (2)
    1. Muncie Catholic Pastoratemunciecatholic.com/cardinalcatholic · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “8:15 AM English English EN St. Mary 5:30 PM English English EN St. Francis Tuesday: 12:15 PM English English EN St. Lawrence 5:30 PM English English EN St. Francis Wednesday: 8:15 AM English English EN St. Mary 5:30 PM English English EN St. Francis Thursday: 12:15 PM English English EN St. Lawrence 5:30 PM English English EN St. Francis Friday: 8:15 AM English English EN St. Mary 5:30 PM English English EN St. Francis Saturday: 8:15 AM English English EN St. Mary”
      Weekday Masses at St. Francis are listed at 5:30 PM Monday through Friday.
      “9:00 AM English English EN St. Francis 11:00 AM English English EN St. Mary: Beginning June 15, 2026 - Restoration begins; Mass held at St. Francis of Assisi”
      Sunday Masses at St. Francis are listed at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM.
    2. Muncie Catholic Pastoratemunciecatholic.com/get-involved · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Join us for weekly free dinner on Sundays, following the St. Francis 5:30pm Mass.”
      Sunday dinner follows the 5:30 pm Mass at St. Francis.
  • Confession is scheduled every weekday and on Sunday at St. Francis, and the Newman house offers study space and a coffee bar.
    Sources (2)
    1. Muncie Catholic Pastoratemunciecatholic.com/cardinalcatholic · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Monday 7:45 AM to 8:05 AM St. Mary 5:00 PM to 5:20 PM St. Francis Tuesday 11:45 AM to 12:05 PM St. Lawrence 5:00 PM to 5:20 PM St. Francis Wednesday 7:45 AM to 8:05 AM St. Mary 5:00 PM to 5:20 PM St. Francis Thursday 11:45 AM to 12:05 PM St. Lawrence 5:00 PM to 5:20 PM St. Francis Friday 7:45 AM to 8:05 AM St. Mary 5:00 PM to 5:20 PM St. Francis”
      Weekday confession is listed at St. Francis at 5:00 to 5:20 PM.
      “Sunday 12:00 PM to 12:20 PM Español: San Lorenzo: Agosto 10, 17, 31; Septiembre 7, 21, 28 4:30 PM to 5:00 PM St. Francis”
      Sunday confession is listed at St. Francis at 4:30 to 5:00 PM.
    2. Muncie Catholic Pastoratemunciecatholic.com/learn-about-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “There are rooms for studying, meeting spaces for bible studies, snacks for sharing, and a coffee bar.”
      The Newman house has study rooms, Bible study meeting spaces, and a coffee bar.

Concerns

  • The campus minister is a layperson and the priests serve the whole pastorate.
    Sources (2)
    1. Muncie Catholic Pastoratemunciecatholic.com/staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. Eric Underwood Pastor”
      Fr. Eric Underwood is listed as pastor of the Muncie Catholic Pastorate parishes.
    2. Muncie Catholic Pastoratemunciecatholic.com/cardinalcatholic · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Caroline Walker Campus Minister”
      Caroline Walker is the campus minister.
  • The St. Francis campus is at 1200 W. Riverside Avenue.
    Sources (1)
    1. Muncie Catholic Pastoratemunciecatholic.com/st-francis-of-assisi · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “1200 W. RiversideAve Muncie, Indiana 47303”
      St. Francis of Assisi is at 1200 W. Riverside Avenue, Muncie, Indiana 47303.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

The Catholic center

St. Francis of Assisi Parish (Cardinal Catholic and Newman house)

  • Address: 1200 W. Riverside Avenue, Muncie, IN 47303
  • Distance from campus: 0.6 mi (straight line from the campus point in federal IPEDS data)
  • Facilities: church building, Newman house (study rooms, Bible study meeting spaces, coffee bar)

View on map ↗

Source: munciecatholic.com, verified Oct. 12, 2026, munciecatholic.com, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

5 groups and regular activities · 0 on campus, 0 off campus, 5 location not published

Faith formation 2

  • Cardinal Catholic student Bible studies
    Student Bible studies run through Cardinal Catholic.
    munciecatholic.com
  • King's Men Bible Study
    Mondays 6:30 to 8:00 PM
    Bible study that meets at St. Francis.
    munciecatholic.com

Clubs and groups 1

Retreats 1

  • Cardinal Awakening retreat and spring renewal retreat
    Retreats each semester: Cardinal Awakening in the fall and a spiritual renewal retreat in the spring.
    munciecatholic.com, munciecatholic.com

Social life 1

  • Sunday Supper
    Sundays after the 5:30 PM Mass
    Weekly free dinner for students following the St. Francis Sunday Mass.
    munciecatholic.com

Everything listed is published by the school, its campus ministry, or the parish. Ask the campus minister what’s happening this semester.

Catholic campus ministry

Sources (3)
  1. Muncie Catholic Pastoratemunciecatholic.com/cardinalcatholic · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Cardinal Catholic is a ministry of the Muncie Catholic Pastorate - located at St. Francis of Assisi Parish.”
    Cardinal Catholic is a ministry of the Muncie Catholic Pastorate, located at St. Francis of Assisi Parish.
  2. Muncie Catholic Pastoratemunciecatholic.com/st-francis-of-assisi · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “1200 W. RiversideAve Muncie, Indiana 47303”
    St. Francis of Assisi is at 1200 W. Riverside Avenue, Muncie, Indiana 47303.
  3. Muncie Catholic Pastoratemunciecatholic.com/learn-about-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “In addition to our church building, we also have the Newman house on the St. Francis campus.”
    A Newman house is on the St. Francis campus in addition to the church building.

Reach out

Contact details for Caroline Walker (Campus Minister, Cardinal Catholic) and 2 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

Sign in Create a free account

We keep campus ministers’ emails behind sign-in to protect them from spam.

My rating and notes

Sign in or create a free account to rate this school privately, keep notes, and save it to your list.

Academic Excellence

CAcademic Excellence: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
67 of 100
From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

  • Graduation rate 35% of scoreThis measure counts for 35% of the Academic Excellence score.62%
  • First-year retention 20% of scoreThis measure counts for 20% of the Academic Excellence score.78%
  • Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.SAT 1,160 · ACT 22
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.14 to 1
  • Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$10,844

Bars show points on each measure’s scale. How Academic Excellence is computed.

Source: College Scorecard (College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026))

Cost and value

Federal data, shown separately. Cost, debt, and earnings are never part of any grade.

Undergraduate students
Fall enrollment (IPEDS)
14,874
Total students20,440
Average net price (per year)
After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid
$14,940
Cost of attendance (per year)$26,146
Median federal debt at graduation$23,250
Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
62%
First-year retention78%
Median earnings 10 years after entry$51,833
Admission rate86%
Students receiving Pell grants35%
Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT1160
SAT reading & writing550–640
SAT math530–620
ACT composite20–24
Test policyConsidered but not required

Value index: 60 / 100 (how it’s computed)

Sources: College Scorecard · IPEDS College Navigator · Net price calculator
College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026); IPEDS 2024-25 directory and institutional characteristics; fall 2023 enrollment.

Local Church

Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana

The Most Reverend Timothy L. Doherty, Bishop of Lafayette in Indiana

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Source: usccb.org, verified Oct. 7, 2026.

Diocese determined from the county using NCES Catholic school records. Confirm with the diocese.

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Ball State University a Catholic college?
No. Ball State University is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by Cardinal Catholic.
What is Ball State University’s Catholic Life Score?
84 out of 100 (grade A). It measures Catholic life on campus: campus ministry, priests, Mass and confession, student groups, and nearby parishes, together with academics.
Where is Mass celebrated at Ball State University?
Mass is listed at St. Francis of Assisi and 1200 W. Riverside Avenue. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.
Is Ball State University Compass Recommended?
Yes. Ball State University meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic life on campus.

Reviews

Personal experiences from signed-in readers. Reviews are moderated automatically and never change a school’s grades.

No reviews yet.

Sign in to write a review.

More in Indiana · Indiana rankings