Catholic School CompassTrue north for Catholic families.
Aerial view of Clarke University
Aerial imagery: U.S. Geological Survey (public domain). USGS

Catholic college

Clarke University

  • LocationDubuque, IA
  • Type and sizePrivate nonprofit · 4-year · 1,025 students
  • SponsorSisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM)
Official website

Clarke University is a BVM Catholic university in Dubuque, Iowa. Its Campus Ministry publishes a Sunday and a Thursday Mass in Sacred Heart Chapel during the academic year, and a named priest is listed as chaplain. The general education program requires one religious studies course and one philosophy course, and the 2026-27 catalog states that the Religious Studies major is closed to students entering in Fall 2026.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 2

  • Sunday5:00 PMSacred Heart Chapel · During the academic year.
  • Thursday12:25 PMSacred Heart Chapel · During the academic year.

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 (1)
  1. Student Handbook 2026-2027 | Clarke Universityclarke.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-2027-Student-Handbook.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Mass is celebrated on Sundays at 5:00 p.m. and Thursdays at 12:25 p.m. during the academic year.”
    Mass is celebrated at Sacred Heart Chapel on Sundays at 5:00 p.m. and Thursdays at 12:25 p.m. during the academic year.
    “Mass is celebrated on Sundays at 5:00 p.m. and Thursdays at 12:25 p.m. during the academic year.”
    Mass is celebrated at Sacred Heart Chapel on Sundays at 5:00 p.m. and Thursdays at 12:25 p.m. during the academic year.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Clarke University, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches0.5 mi1 mi2 miSaint Anthony Catholic Church: 0.5 mi1Nativity Catholic Church: 0.8 mi2Saint Patrick Church: 1.1 mi3Holy Ghost Catholic Church: 1.1 mi4Saint Joseph the Worker Catholic Church: 1.3 mi5Sacred Heart Church: 1.3 mi6Clarke University (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Saint Anthony Catholic Church — 0.5 mi
  2. Nativity Catholic Church — 0.8 mi · 1001 Alta Vista Street
  3. Saint Patrick Church — 1.1 mi · 1425 Iowa Street, Dubuque
  4. Holy Ghost Catholic Church — 1.1 mi
  5. Saint Joseph the Worker Catholic Church — 1.3 mi
  6. Sacred Heart Church — 1.3 mi · 2215 Windsor Avenue, Dubuque

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

Faith 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.

CSacramental life: 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.

Sacramental life

59 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Weekday Mass on campus during the academic year1–2 weekdays (One weekday Mass (Thursday 12:25 PM) is published for the academic year; the Sunday Mass is the only other published Mass.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Handbook 2026-2027 | Clarke Universityclarke.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-2027-Student-Handbook.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mass is celebrated on Sundays at 5:00 p.m. and Thursdays at 12:25 p.m. during the academic year.”
      Mass is celebrated at Sacred Heart Chapel on Sundays at 5:00 p.m. and Thursdays at 12:25 p.m. during the academic year.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Sunday Mass on campus (including Saturday vigil)One weekend Mass (One weekend Mass (Sunday 5:00 PM).)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Handbook 2026-2027 | Clarke Universityclarke.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-2027-Student-Handbook.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mass is celebrated on Sundays at 5:00 p.m. and Thursdays at 12:25 p.m. during the academic year.”
      Mass is celebrated at Sacred Heart Chapel on Sundays at 5:00 p.m. and Thursdays at 12:25 p.m. during the academic year.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Scheduled confession on campusNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Eucharistic adorationNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priests serving studentsAt least one full-time priest chaplain (or a resident community of priests serving campus ministry) (The staff directory presents Fr. Dustin Vu as Chaplain.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Fr. Dustin Vu | Clarke Universityclarke.edu/person/dustin-vu · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. Dustin Vu Chaplain”
      Fr. Dustin Vu is presented as the university's Chaplain.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Chapel open for prayer on campusYes
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Handbook 2026-2027 | Clarke Universityclarke.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-2027-Student-Handbook.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Located adjacent to the Wahlert Atrium and across from Quigley Gallery, the chapel is open whenever the Atrium is open.”
      Sacred Heart Chapel is open for prayer whenever the Atrium is open.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Published weekly schedule of Mass, confession, and adoration1 to 5 times a week (2 weekly times documented: 2 Mass, 0 confession, 0 adoration.)Computed from the verified Mass, confession, and adoration times listed on this page (each day a time is offered counts once).
DTheology and core curriculum: Limited (grade D): 40 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Theology and core curriculum

46 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Theology or religious studies courses required of all bachelor's studentsOne course (The General Education Foundations require one RELS 100-level course for all students. Religious studies courses in the Humanities perspective are optional.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Academic Catalog 2026-2027 | Clarke Universityclarke.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/AA_2026-2027-Academic-Catalog.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Any RELS 100-level course (3 credits)”
      The General Education Foundations require one religious studies course at the 100 level.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Required theology includes explicitly Catholic content (Scripture, Catholic tradition, sacraments)Catholic theology is one option among several (The required course may be any RELS 100-level course. RELS 116 is described as Catholic/Christian theology.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Academic Catalog 2026-2027 | Clarke Universityclarke.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/AA_2026-2027-Academic-Catalog.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “introduce students to the central doctrines of Catholic/Christian theology”
      RELS 116 is described as an introduction to Catholic/Christian theology; it is one of the RELS 100-level options.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Philosophy courses required of all bachelor's studentsOne course
    Sources (1)
    1. Academic Catalog 2026-2027 | Clarke Universityclarke.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/AA_2026-2027-Academic-Catalog.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “PHIL 110 Fundamentals of Philosophy (3 credits)”
      The General Education Foundations require one philosophy course.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Core curriculum explicitly draws on the Catholic intellectual traditionYes, stated in the catalog or core description (The general education program mission and student outcomes name engagement with the BVM Catholic Tradition.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Academic Catalog 2026-2027 | Clarke Universityclarke.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/AA_2026-2027-Academic-Catalog.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “1) engagement with the BVM Catholic Tradition”
      The General Education program aims at engagement with the BVM Catholic Tradition.
  • No: the school does not offer this, so it earns no points.
    Theology or religious studies major offeredNo (The catalog states the Religious Studies major is not available to students matriculating beginning Fall 2026.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Academic Catalog 2026-2027 | Clarke Universityclarke.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/AA_2026-2027-Academic-Catalog.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies, as well as the minor, are not available to students matriculating to Clarke University beginning Fall 2026.”
      The Religious Studies major is not available to students entering Fall 2026.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Publicly affirms Ex Corde Ecclesiae in mission or governance documentsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
N/ACampus culture and residence life: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Campus culture and residence life

Not enough information: official sources cover less than 60% of this area.

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Campus ministry staffing (chaplains, ministers, and professional staff)Two to four (Two professional campus ministry staff are listed: the Director of Campus Ministry and a chaplain.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry Staff | Clarke Universityclarke.edu/person?dept=556 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Vu, Fr. Dustin Chaplain”
      Campus Ministry staff directory lists Fr. Dustin Vu as Chaplain.
      “Rupprecht, Rick Director of Campus Ministry”
      Rick Rupprecht is listed as Director of Campus Ministry.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Retreats offered to students each yearNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Catholic student organizations and faith-formation groupsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Single-sex residence optionsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Overnight guest policy in residence hallsOvernight guests of the opposite sex not permitted
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Handbook 2026-2027 | Clarke Universityclarke.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-2027-Student-Handbook.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “no opposite-gender guests are allowed overnight”
      Opposite-gender overnight guests are not permitted in residence halls.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Faith life in residence halls (hall chaplains, hall Masses, or faith-based living communities)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Office or senior officer for mission and Catholic identityNot enough information: not found in official sources.
CService and Catholic social teaching: 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.

Service and Catholic social teaching

64 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Service or volunteer centerYes (Into the Streets is a staffed, organized campus service program, and the service pages also list Bonner Leaders and Service Learning.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Service & Volunteering | Clarke Universityclarke.edu/campus-life/into-the-streets · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “For over two decades, Clarke students have been doing “Into the Streets” for a half day of service on a Saturday in October.”
      Into the Streets is an organized, long-running campus service program.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Service-learning or community engagement in the curriculumAvailable (courses or programs)
    Sources (1)
    1. Service Learning | Clarke Universityclarke.edu/campus-life/into-the-streets/service-learning · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “we encourage faculty members to incorporate service learning into their curriculum”
      Service learning is encouraged in the curriculum; it is not stated as a requirement.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Catholic social teaching in the curriculum (course, minor, center, or core requirement)Offered (course, minor, or center) (RELS 203 Faith and Film lists Catholic social teaching among its themes; it is an elective, not a required core course.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Academic Catalog 2026-2027 | Clarke Universityclarke.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/AA_2026-2027-Academic-Catalog.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The themes explored include: God, Jesus Christ, scripture, salvation, communion of saints, and Catholic social teaching.”
      RELS 203 Faith and Film is an elective course that includes Catholic social teaching among its themes.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Pro-life engagement (student pro-life group, support for pregnant and parenting students, or institutional initiatives)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersion trips, poverty, migration, or care-for-creation initiatives)One (One justice immersion program is documented: the Kutchera Service Trip, whose themes include poverty, homelessness, immigration, and racism.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Service Trips | Clarke Universityclarke.edu/campus-life/spiritual-life/campus-ministry-2/service-trips · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Our service focuses on social justice themes such as hunger and food insecurity, homelessness, poverty, immigration, and racism.”
      The Kutchera Service Trip focuses on social justice themes.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Service explicitly rooted in the Catholic mission (run with campus ministry or the mission office, or framed by Catholic social teaching)Not enough information: not found in official sources.

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

Strengths

  • Mass is published for Sacred Heart Chapel on Sunday at 5:00 PM and Thursday at 12:25 PM during the academic year.
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Handbook 2026-2027 | Clarke Universityclarke.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-2027-Student-Handbook.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mass is celebrated on Sundays at 5:00 p.m. and Thursdays at 12:25 p.m. during the academic year.”
      Mass is celebrated at Sacred Heart Chapel on Sundays at 5:00 p.m. and Thursdays at 12:25 p.m. during the academic year.
  • A named priest, Fr. Dustin Vu, is listed as Chaplain in the Campus Ministry staff directory.
    Sources (1)
    1. Fr. Dustin Vu | Clarke Universityclarke.edu/person/dustin-vu · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. Dustin Vu Chaplain”
      Fr. Dustin Vu is presented as the university's Chaplain.
  • The general education outcomes include engagement with the BVM Catholic Tradition.
    Sources (1)
    1. Academic Catalog 2026-2027 | Clarke Universityclarke.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/AA_2026-2027-Academic-Catalog.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “1) engagement with the BVM Catholic Tradition”
      The General Education program aims at engagement with the BVM Catholic Tradition.
  • Campus Ministry runs a yearly service trip, the Kutchera Service Trip, with social justice themes.
    Sources (1)
    1. Service Trips | Clarke Universityclarke.edu/campus-life/spiritual-life/campus-ministry-2/service-trips · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Our service focuses on social justice themes such as hunger and food insecurity, homelessness, poverty, immigration, and racism.”
      The Kutchera Service Trip focuses on social justice themes.

Concerns

  • The published Mass schedule lists one weekday Mass (Thursday) during the academic year.
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Handbook 2026-2027 | Clarke Universityclarke.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-2027-Student-Handbook.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mass is celebrated on Sundays at 5:00 p.m. and Thursdays at 12:25 p.m. during the academic year.”
      Mass is celebrated at Sacred Heart Chapel on Sundays at 5:00 p.m. and Thursdays at 12:25 p.m. during the academic year.
  • The general education program requires one theology course and one philosophy course.
    Sources (1)
    1. Academic Catalog 2026-2027 | Clarke Universityclarke.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/AA_2026-2027-Academic-Catalog.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Any RELS 100-level course (3 credits)”
      The General Education Foundations require one religious studies course at the 100 level.
      “PHIL 110 Fundamentals of Philosophy (3 credits)”
      The General Education Foundations require one philosophy course.
  • The Religious Studies major is not available to students entering in Fall 2026.
    Sources (1)
    1. Academic Catalog 2026-2027 | Clarke Universityclarke.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/AA_2026-2027-Academic-Catalog.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies, as well as the minor, are not available to students matriculating to Clarke University beginning Fall 2026.”
      The Religious Studies major is not available to students entering Fall 2026.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Campus Ministry and Sacred Heart Chapel

  • Address: 1550 Clarke Drive, Dubuque, IA 52001
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: chapel, Foley Lounge, prayer/meditation room

Source: clarke.edu, verified Oct. 12, 2026, clarke.edu, verified Oct. 12, 2026, clarke.edu, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

4 groups and regular activities · 1 on campus, 2 off campus, 1 location not published

Service 2

  • Into the Streets half-day of serviceOff campus
    Each fall, on a Saturday in October
    Teams of students, faculty, and staff volunteer with nonprofit organizations in the Dubuque area.
    clarke.edu, clarke.edu
  • Kutchera Service TripOff campus
    Spring Break each year
    Campus Ministry service trip of about five days, with reflection and prayer; past trips include St. Louis, MO (2026) and Milwaukee, WI (2025).
    clarke.edu, clarke.edu

Faith formation 1

  • Campus Ministry NightsOn campus
    Tuesdays, 6:00 to 8:00 PM
    Weekly Campus Ministry evening with faith sharing, games, movies, service, and more, in the Foley Lounge of the Wellness Center.
    clarke.edu, clarke.edu

Liturgy and prayer 1

  • Clarke Community Prayer List
    Campus Ministry posts prayer requests, which are prayed for during Mass petitions.
    clarke.edu

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

Campus ministry

Sources (2)
  1. Campus Ministry | Clarke Universityclarke.edu/campus-life/spiritual-life/campus-ministry-2 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Campus Ministry Office campusministry@clarke.edu (563)588-8192”
    The Campus Ministry Office is reachable by the published email and phone.
    “Students, faculty, and staff are always welcome in the Foley Lounge and the prayer/meditation room in Mary Josita Hall, as well as Sacred Heart Chapel.”
    Campus ministry spaces include the Foley Lounge, a prayer/meditation room and Sacred Heart Chapel.
    “Campus Ministry Office campusministry@clarke.edu (563)588-8192”
    The Campus Ministry Office is reachable by the published email and phone.
    “Students, faculty, and staff are always welcome in the Foley Lounge and the prayer/meditation room in Mary Josita Hall, as well as Sacred Heart Chapel.”
    Campus ministry spaces include the Foley Lounge, a prayer/meditation room and Sacred Heart Chapel.
  2. Student Handbook 2026-2027 | Clarke Universityclarke.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-2027-Student-Handbook.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Located adjacent to the Wahlert Atrium and across from Quigley Gallery, the chapel is open whenever the Atrium is open.”
    Sacred Heart Chapel is open for prayer whenever the Atrium is open.

Reach out

Contact details for Campus Ministry Office (General office; the Director of Campus Ministry is Rick Rupprecht) and 1 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

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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.
62 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.56%
  • First-year retention 20% of scoreThis measure counts for 20% of the Academic Excellence score.67%
  • Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.SAT 1,054 · ACT 20
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.9 to 1
  • Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$10,352

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)
871
Total students1,025
Average net price (per year)
After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid
$24,479
Cost of attendance (per year)$55,782
Median federal debt at graduation$26,717
Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
56%
First-year retention67%
Median earnings 10 years after entry$55,396
Admission rate72%
Students receiving Pell grants37%
Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT1054
SAT reading & writing430–570
SAT math470–590
ACT composite16–24
Test policyConsidered but not required

Value index: 43 / 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

Archdiocese of Dubuque

The Most Reverend Thomas Zinkula, Archbishop of Dubuque

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

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

Diocese determined from the county, using the diocese’s county list (Wikipedia). Confirm with the diocese.

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Clarke University a Catholic college?
Yes. Clarke University is a Catholic college in the Archdiocese of Dubuque. Its sponsor is Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM).
What is Clarke University’s Compass Score?
58 out of 100 (grade C). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.
Where is Mass celebrated at Clarke University?
Mass is listed at Sacred Heart Chapel. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.

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