
College · Catholic life on campus
Duke University
- LocationDurham, NC
- Type and sizePrivate nonprofit · 4-year · 17,112 students
Affiliation: United Methodist
Duke 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 Duke Catholic Center, a ministry of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Raleigh, has its office in Page Building on West Campus and a chapel and study space at the Falcone-Arena House near East Campus. Two priests, the director and the chaplain, are listed on its staff page. Its published schedule includes Sunday Masses at Goodson Chapel and Duke Chapel, Mass on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, weekly confession, and Wednesday adoration, and it lists FOCUS Bible studies, retreats, service programs and graduate student small groups.
Mass, confession, and adoration
Confirm with the parish
Mass 4
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday12:00 PMMemorial Chapel (inside Duke Chapel) · Regular schedule beginning August 23, 2026.
- Sunday9:00 AMGoodson Chapel (Duke Divinity School) · Regular schedule beginning August 23, 2026.
- Sunday11:00 AMGoodson Chapel (Duke Divinity School) · Regular schedule beginning August 23, 2026.
- Sunday8:00 PMDuke Chapel · Regular schedule beginning August 23, 2026.
Confession 4
- Sunday10:00 AM–10:45 AMDivinity School Room 103 · Before the 11 AM Mass; regular schedule beginning August 23, 2026.
- Sunday7:00 PM–7:45 PMBack of Duke Chapel · Before the 8 PM Mass; regular schedule beginning August 23, 2026.
- Wednesday8:00 PMGoodson Chapel · During Eucharistic adoration.
- Thursday4:00 PMThe quad between Kligo and Craven · Regular schedule beginning August 23, 2026.
Adoration 1
- Wednesday8:00 PMGoodson Chapel · Regular schedule beginning August 23, 2026.
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)
- Mass Times & Sacraments | Duke University Catholic Centercatholic.duke.edu/mass-times-sacraments · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“12:00 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays in Memorial Chapel (inside Duke Chapel)”
“Sundays 9:00 am in Goodson Chapel 11:00 am in Goodson Chapel 8:00 pm in Duke Chapel”
“Sundays 9:00 am in Goodson Chapel 11:00 am in Goodson Chapel 8:00 pm in Duke Chapel”
“Sundays 9:00 am in Goodson Chapel 11:00 am in Goodson Chapel 8:00 pm in Duke Chapel”
“Sundays 10-10:45 am at Divinity School Room 103 before 11 am Mass 7-7:45 pm at the Back of Duke Chapel before 8 pm Mass Wednesdays 8:00 pm during Adoration in Goodson Chapel Thursdays 4:00 pm in the quad between Kligo & Craven”
“Sundays 10-10:45 am at Divinity School Room 103 before 11 am Mass 7-7:45 pm at the Back of Duke Chapel before 8 pm Mass Wednesdays 8:00 pm during Adoration in Goodson Chapel Thursdays 4:00 pm in the quad between Kligo & Craven”
“Sundays 10-10:45 am at Divinity School Room 103 before 11 am Mass 7-7:45 pm at the Back of Duke Chapel before 8 pm Mass Wednesdays 8:00 pm during Adoration in Goodson Chapel Thursdays 4:00 pm in the quad between Kligo & Craven”
“Sundays 10-10:45 am at Divinity School Room 103 before 11 am Mass 7-7:45 pm at the Back of Duke Chapel before 8 pm Mass Wednesdays 8:00 pm during Adoration in Goodson Chapel Thursdays 4:00 pm in the quad between Kligo & Craven”
“Wednesdays 8:00 p.m. in Goodson Chapel”
Catholic churches nearby
- Immaculate Conception Catholic Church — 1.4 mi · 810 West Chapel Hill Street, Durham
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.
Catholic life on campus
83 of 100 points on what we could document.
- Yes: 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 (1)
- Join us! | Duke University Catholic Centercatholic.duke.edu · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“A ministry of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Raleigh, the Duke Catholic Center serves a Catholic student population that is the largest single denomination on campus.”
- Join us! | Duke University Catholic Centercatholic.duke.edu · verified Oct. 12, 2026
- Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.Dedicated Catholic center or chapel on or next to campusYes (The Falcone-Arena House chapel is across from East Campus and is open to anyone with a Duke ID from 8 AM to 10 PM daily. The Divinity School's Goodson Chapel and Duke Chapel are also used for Mass.)
Sources (1)
- Contact Us | Duke University Catholic Centercatholic.duke.edu/about-us/contact-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“is located across from East Campus at the corner of Buchanan Boulevard and Trinity Avenue.”
“Jesus is in our chapel, there is a beautiful study room, a coffee bar, and outdoor seating.”
- Contact Us | Duke University Catholic Centercatholic.duke.edu/about-us/contact-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
- Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.Priest chaplain assigned to campus ministryFull-time priest chaplain (Fr. Juan José Hernández, L.C. is Director and Fr. Nicholas Sheehy, LC is Chaplain, both presented on the staff page as serving the center.)
Sources (1)
- Meet the Staff | Duke University Catholic Centercatholic.duke.edu/about-us/meet-staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Fr. Juan José Hernández, L.C. became Director of the Duke Catholic Center on July 1, 2022 as appointed by Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama”
“Chaplain Fr. Nicholas Sheehy, LC”
- Meet the Staff | Duke University Catholic Centercatholic.duke.edu/about-us/meet-staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
- Partly: Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.Weekday Mass at the campus ministry1–4 weekdays (Mass is listed on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 12:00 PM in Memorial Chapel inside Duke Chapel (four weekdays). The regular schedule begins August 23, 2026.)
Sources (1)
- Mass Times & Sacraments | Duke University Catholic Centercatholic.duke.edu/mass-times-sacraments · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“12:00 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays in Memorial Chapel (inside Duke Chapel)”
- Mass Times & Sacraments | Duke University Catholic Centercatholic.duke.edu/mass-times-sacraments · verified Oct. 12, 2026
- Yes: 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 (Three Sunday Masses: 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM in Goodson Chapel and 8:00 PM in Duke Chapel.)
Sources (1)
- Mass Times & Sacraments | Duke University Catholic Centercatholic.duke.edu/mass-times-sacraments · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Sundays 9:00 am in Goodson Chapel 11:00 am in Goodson Chapel 8:00 pm in Duke Chapel”
“The below schedule begins Sunday, August 23, 2026.”
- Mass Times & Sacraments | Duke University Catholic Centercatholic.duke.edu/mass-times-sacraments · verified Oct. 12, 2026
- Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.Scheduled confession at the campus ministryWeekly or more often (Scheduled confession: Sundays (10:00 AM and 7:00 PM), Wednesday at 8:00 PM during adoration, and Thursday at 4:00 PM. Confession is also available by appointment.)
Sources (1)
- Mass Times & Sacraments | Duke University Catholic Centercatholic.duke.edu/mass-times-sacraments · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Sundays 10-10:45 am at Divinity School Room 103 before 11 am Mass 7-7:45 pm at the Back of Duke Chapel before 8 pm Mass Wednesdays 8:00 pm during Adoration in Goodson Chapel Thursdays 4:00 pm in the quad between Kligo & Craven”
- Mass Times & Sacraments | Duke University Catholic Centercatholic.duke.edu/mass-times-sacraments · verified Oct. 12, 2026
- Partly: Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.Catholic student groups and missionary outreach (e.g., FOCUS, Saint Paul's Outreach, Knights of Columbus, Bible studies)One (FOCUS Bible Studies are the only Catholic undergraduate student group named on the ministry's pages. A graduate student ministry small group is listed but is not counted here. No Knights of Columbus, Saint Paul's Outreach, Catholic Student Association or pro-life group was found.)
Sources (2)
- Get Involved | Duke University Catholic Centercatholic.duke.edu/i-want-get-involved · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“FOCUS Bible Studies give you to the space to discover how to live out your faith in college”
- Duke University - FOCUSfocus.org/campus/duke-university · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“HOME | CAMPUSES | Duke University”
- Get Involved | Duke University Catholic Centercatholic.duke.edu/i-want-get-involved · verified Oct. 12, 2026
- Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.Formation programs (retreats, OCIA/RCIA, service, small groups)Two or more kinds (Retreats (Ignite, Duc in Altum, Ablaze, Abide, spring break missions and a Camino pilgrimage), small groups and Bible studies, and a service and social justice program.)
Sources (3)
- Retreats & Pilgrimages | Duke University Catholic Centercatholic.duke.edu/get-involved/retreats-pilgrimages · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Beyond budding friendships, Ignite also introduces students to and gives them a taste of the abundance of Catholic opportunities on campus, such as small groups, adoration, music ministry, confession, and more.”
“join the DCC for Duc in Altum, a one-day undergraduate retreat.”
- Service & Advocacy | Duke University Catholic Centercatholic.duke.edu/get-involved/service-advocacy · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Be a part of the DCC's service and social justice program that involves service opportunities, educational programming, and advocacy.”
- Get Involved | Duke University Catholic Centercatholic.duke.edu/i-want-get-involved · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“FOCUS Bible Studies give you to the space to discover how to live out your faith in college”
- Retreats & Pilgrimages | Duke University Catholic Centercatholic.duke.edu/get-involved/retreats-pilgrimages · verified Oct. 12, 2026
- Partly: Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.Catholic church within walking distance (computed from OpenStreetMap)Within 3 milesComputed from OpenStreetMap church locations.
- Partly: Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.Published weekly schedule of Mass, confession, and adoration12 to 19 times a week (12 weekly times documented: 7 Mass, 4 confession, 1 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
- Two priests, the director and the chaplain, are listed on the staff page.
Sources (1)
- Meet the Staff | Duke University Catholic Centercatholic.duke.edu/about-us/meet-staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Fr. Juan José Hernández, L.C. became Director of the Duke Catholic Center on July 1, 2022 as appointed by Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama”
“Chaplain Fr. Nicholas Sheehy, LC”
- Meet the Staff | Duke University Catholic Centercatholic.duke.edu/about-us/meet-staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
- Published schedule includes three Sunday Masses and Mass on four weekdays, plus weekly confession and Wednesday adoration.
Sources (1)
- Mass Times & Sacraments | Duke University Catholic Centercatholic.duke.edu/mass-times-sacraments · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“12:00 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays in Memorial Chapel (inside Duke Chapel)”
“Sundays 9:00 am in Goodson Chapel 11:00 am in Goodson Chapel 8:00 pm in Duke Chapel”
“Sundays 10-10:45 am at Divinity School Room 103 before 11 am Mass 7-7:45 pm at the Back of Duke Chapel before 8 pm Mass Wednesdays 8:00 pm during Adoration in Goodson Chapel Thursdays 4:00 pm in the quad between Kligo & Craven”
“Wednesdays 8:00 p.m. in Goodson Chapel”
- Mass Times & Sacraments | Duke University Catholic Centercatholic.duke.edu/mass-times-sacraments · verified Oct. 12, 2026
- Retreats, a pilgrimage, Bible studies and a service and social justice program are listed on the ministry's pages.
Sources (3)
- Retreats & Pilgrimages | Duke University Catholic Centercatholic.duke.edu/get-involved/retreats-pilgrimages · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Beyond budding friendships, Ignite also introduces students to and gives them a taste of the abundance of Catholic opportunities on campus, such as small groups, adoration, music ministry, confession, and more.”
“The Duke Catholic Center returns to Spain for a pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago.”
- Get Involved | Duke University Catholic Centercatholic.duke.edu/i-want-get-involved · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“FOCUS Bible Studies give you to the space to discover how to live out your faith in college”
- Service & Advocacy | Duke University Catholic Centercatholic.duke.edu/get-involved/service-advocacy · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Be a part of the DCC's service and social justice program that involves service opportunities, educational programming, and advocacy.”
- Retreats & Pilgrimages | Duke University Catholic Centercatholic.duke.edu/get-involved/retreats-pilgrimages · verified Oct. 12, 2026
Concerns
- Only one Catholic undergraduate student group (FOCUS Bible studies) is named on the ministry's pages.
Sources (1)
- Get Involved | Duke University Catholic Centercatholic.duke.edu/i-want-get-involved · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“FOCUS Bible Studies give you to the space to discover how to live out your faith in college”
- Get Involved | Duke University Catholic Centercatholic.duke.edu/i-want-get-involved · verified Oct. 12, 2026
Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.
The Catholic center
Duke University Catholic Center
- Address: Page Building 309, Duke University, Durham, NC 27701
- Location: On campus
- Facilities: office space (Page Building, Suite 309), chapel (Falcone-Arena House, across from East Campus), study room (Falcone-Arena House), coffee bar (Falcone-Arena House), outdoor seating (Falcone-Arena House)
Source: catholic.duke.edu, verified Oct. 12, 2026, catholic.duke.edu, verified Oct. 12, 2026, catholic.duke.edu, verified Oct. 12, 2026, catholic.duke.edu, verified Oct. 12, 2026
Catholic clubs and student life
11 groups and regular activities · 1 on campus, 5 off campus, 5 location not published
Retreats 5
- Ignite retreatOff campusFall semester, usually early SeptemberFall retreat at the beach for first-year students, open to all undergraduates, that introduces small groups, adoration, music ministry and confession.
- Ablaze retreatOff campusEach spring semesterUndergraduate retreat with adoration under the stars and campfire fellowship, held off campus.
- Camino de Santiago pilgrimageOff campusPilgrimage to Spain along the Camino de Santiago.
- Duc in Altum retreatTypically each NovemberOne-day undergraduate retreat on Christian hope, offered each fall.
- Abide: Graduate Student RetreatTypically early in the spring semesterWeekend retreat for graduate and professional students.
Service 2
- Spring Break MissionOff campusDuke's Spring BreakWeek of service, faith and cultural immersion; the destination changes yearly.
- Service and Social Justice ministryOff campusService and advocacy program that partners with Durham nonprofits, including a food pantry, cooking and serving for Families Moving Forward, and tutoring at Cristo Rey Research Triangle High School.
Liturgy and prayer 2
- Eucharistic AdorationOn campusWednesdays at 8:00 PMAdoration in Goodson Chapel in the Duke Divinity School, with confession offered during it.
- Mass music ministry (choirs)Rehearsals one hour before Sunday Mass and on Thursday eveningsMass choirs and instrumentalists for Sunday Mass, and a praise band for Wednesday adoration, led by the music director.
Faith formation 1
- Graduate Student Ministry Small GroupThursdays at 5:30 PMSmall group for graduate students held at the Falcone-Arena House.
Clubs and groups 1
- FOCUS Bible StudiesBible studies for Catholic students, promoted by the Duke Catholic Center as FOCUS Bible Studies.
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)
- Join us! | Duke University Catholic Centercatholic.duke.edu · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“A ministry of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Raleigh, the Duke Catholic Center serves a Catholic student population that is the largest single denomination on campus.”
“Page Building 309Duke UniversityDurham, NC 27701”
- Contact Us | Duke University Catholic Centercatholic.duke.edu/about-us/contact-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Page Building, Suite 309* houses our West Campus office space!”
“Page Building, Suite 309* houses our West Campus office space!”
“is located across from East Campus at the corner of Buchanan Boulevard and Trinity Avenue.”
“Jesus is in our chapel, there is a beautiful study room, a coffee bar, and outdoor seating.”
- Duke University - FOCUSfocus.org/campus/duke-university · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“HOME | CAMPUSES | Duke University”
Reach out
Contact details for Fr. Juan José Hernández, L.C. (Director, Duke Catholic Center) and 4 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.
We keep campus ministers’ emails behind sign-in to protect them from spam.
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Academic Excellence
Each measure counts for the share shown.
- Graduation rate 35% of scoreThis measure counts for 35% of the Academic Excellence score.97%
- First-year retention 20% of scoreThis measure counts for 20% of the Academic Excellence score.98%
- Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.SAT 1,548 · ACT 34.5
- Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.5 to 1
- Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$87,044
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) | 6,488 |
|---|---|
| Total students | 17,112 |
| Average net price (per year) After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid | $29,612 |
| Cost of attendance (per year) | $87,072 |
| Median federal debt at graduation | $13,000 |
| Graduation rate First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time | 97% |
| First-year retention | 98% |
| Median earnings 10 years after entry | $97,800 |
| Admission rate | 6% |
| Students receiving Pell grants | 14% |
| Average SAT | 1548 |
|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 740–770 |
| SAT math | 760–800 |
| ACT composite | 34–35 |
| Test policy | Considered but not required |
Value index: 72 / 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
The Most Reverend Luis Rafael Zarama, Bishop of Raleigh
Formal address: “Your Excellency”
Cathedral: Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral
Source: dioceseofraleigh.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
- IPEDS unit ID 198419
- Carnegie classification: Doctoral university (very high research)
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges d.b.a. Commission on Colleges and Universities (U.S. Department of Education DAPIP)
- Religious affiliation (IPEDS): United Methodist
- Report an error or a newer source
- Respond as this school
Questions families ask
- Is Duke University a Catholic college?
- No. Duke University is not a Catholic college. Its listed religious affiliation is United Methodist. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by Duke University Catholic Center.
- What is Duke University’s Catholic Life Score?
- 87 out of 100 (grade B). 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 Duke University?
- Mass is listed at Memorial Chapel (inside Duke Chapel), Goodson Chapel (Duke Divinity School), and Duke Chapel. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.
- Is Duke University Compass Recommended?
- Yes. Duke University meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic life on campus.
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