Catholic School CompassTrue north for Catholic families.
John Paul the Great Catholic University: JPCU Campus
Photo: SHarold (talk), CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Catholic college

John Paul the Great Catholic University

  • LocationEscondido, CA
  • Type and sizePrivate nonprofit · 4-year · 298 students
Official website

John Paul the Great Catholic University is a small private Catholic university in Escondido, California, focused on the creative arts and business, on a year-round quarter system. Its official pages list Mass on campus every weekday, on Saturday evening and on Sunday, five scheduled confession times a week, and a campus chapel open daily with weekday adoration. The core curriculum requires five theology courses and four philosophy courses.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 3

  • Monday–Friday11:00 AMClassroom M · Listed as Monday–Friday 11am; the Mass page lists Daily Mass at 11:00am.
  • Saturday5:00 PMClassroom M · Saturday vigil.
  • Sunday9:00 AMClassroom M · Sunday Mass; one Student Life block also lists 5:00 PM (see gaps).

Confession 3

  • Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday11:45 AM–12:30 PMOn campus (room not stated) · Available only for students, when a quarter is in session.
  • Saturday4:00 PM–4:45 PMOn campus (room not stated) · Available only for students, when a quarter is in session.
  • Sunday8:00 AM–8:45 AMOn campus (room not stated) · Available only for students, when a quarter is in session.

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. Student Life | JPCatholicjpcatholic.edu/studentlife · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Mass Schedules at Classroom M Monday–Friday: 11am Saturday: 5pm Sunday: 9am”
    The Student Life page lists Mass at Classroom M on Monday through Friday at 11 AM, Saturday at 5 PM, and Sunday at 9 AM.
    “Mass Schedules at Classroom M Monday–Friday: 11am Saturday: 5pm Sunday: 9am”
    The Student Life page lists Mass at Classroom M on Monday through Friday at 11 AM, Saturday at 5 PM, and Sunday at 9 AM.
  2. Mass & Confession | JPCatholicjpcatholic.edu/studentlife/spiritual-life/mass-and-confession.php · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Daily Mass: 11:00am Saturday Vigil: 5:00pm Sunday: 9:00am”
    The Mass schedule lists a daily 11:00 AM Mass, a 5:00 PM Saturday vigil, and a 9:00 AM Sunday Mass.
    “Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 11:45am–12:30pm Saturday: 4:00pm–4:45pm Sunday: 8:00am–8:45am”
    Confession is scheduled on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 11:45 AM, Saturday at 4:00 PM, and Sunday at 8:00 AM.
    “Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 11:45am–12:30pm Saturday: 4:00pm–4:45pm Sunday: 8:00am–8:45am”
    Confession is scheduled on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 11:45 AM, Saturday at 4:00 PM, and Sunday at 8:00 AM.
    “Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 11:45am–12:30pm Saturday: 4:00pm–4:45pm Sunday: 8:00am–8:45am”
    Confession is scheduled on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 11:45 AM, Saturday at 4:00 PM, and Sunday at 8:00 AM.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of John Paul the Great Catholic University, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miSaint Mary Catholic Church: 0.8 mi1Church of the Resurrection: 1.9 mi2Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Chapel (JPCatholic Spiritual Life): 0.1 miJohn Paul the Great Catholic University (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Saint Mary Catholic Church — 0.8 mi · 1170 South Broadway, Escondido
  2. Church of the Resurrection — 1.9 mi · 1445 Conway Drive, Escondido

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.

BSacramental life: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Sacramental life

84 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Weekday Mass on campus during the academic yearEvery weekday (5 or more weekdays) (Listed as Monday through Friday at 11:00 AM; counted as daily under the weekday rule.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Mass & Confession | JPCatholicjpcatholic.edu/studentlife/spiritual-life/mass-and-confession.php · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Daily Mass: 11:00am Saturday Vigil: 5:00pm Sunday: 9:00am”
      The Mass schedule lists a daily 11:00 AM Mass, a 5:00 PM Saturday vigil, and a 9:00 AM Sunday Mass.
    2. Student Life | JPCatholicjpcatholic.edu/studentlife · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mass Schedules at Classroom M Monday–Friday: 11am Saturday: 5pm Sunday: 9am”
      The Student Life page lists Mass at Classroom M on Monday through Friday at 11 AM, Saturday at 5 PM, and Sunday at 9 AM.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Sunday Mass on campus (including Saturday vigil)Two or more weekend Masses (Saturday vigil at 5:00 PM and Sunday Mass at 9:00 AM. One official page also lists a 5:00 PM Sunday Mass; see gaps.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Mass & Confession | JPCatholicjpcatholic.edu/studentlife/spiritual-life/mass-and-confession.php · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Daily Mass: 11:00am Saturday Vigil: 5:00pm Sunday: 9:00am”
      The Mass schedule lists a daily 11:00 AM Mass, a 5:00 PM Saturday vigil, and a 9:00 AM Sunday Mass.
    2. Student Life | JPCatholicjpcatholic.edu/studentlife · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mass Schedules at Classroom M Monday–Friday: 11am Saturday: 5pm Sunday: 9am”
      The Student Life page lists Mass at Classroom M on Monday through Friday at 11 AM, Saturday at 5 PM, and Sunday at 9 AM.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Scheduled confession on campusThree or more scheduled times per week (Five scheduled confession periods a week (Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun).)
    Sources (1)
    1. Mass & Confession | JPCatholicjpcatholic.edu/studentlife/spiritual-life/mass-and-confession.php · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 11:45am–12:30pm Saturday: 4:00pm–4:45pm Sunday: 8:00am–8:45am”
      Confession is scheduled on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 11:45 AM, Saturday at 4:00 PM, and Sunday at 8:00 AM.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Eucharistic adorationWeekly scheduled adoration (Two official pages describe weekday adoration differently; see gaps.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Chapel | JPCatholicjpcatholic.edu/studentlife/spiritual-life/adoration.php · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Chapel is located within our academic building and seats about 20 people. It is open every day for students to spend time before our Lord with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament taking place every weekday.”
      The campus chapel is inside the academic building, is open every day for students, and has exposition of the Blessed Sacrament every weekday.
    2. Spiritual Life | JPCatholicjpcatholic.edu/studentlife/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Our chapel has Eucharistic Adoration every weekday except Thursday”
      The Spiritual Life page says the chapel has adoration every weekday except Thursday.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Priests serving studentsPart-time or visiting priest (Priests are on campus weekly for spiritual direction.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Direction | JPCatholicjpcatholic.edu/studentlife/spiritual-life/spiritual-direction.php · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Spiritual Direction is offered by a number of priests who are on campus weekly”
      Spiritual direction is offered by priests who are on campus weekly.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Chapel open for prayer on campusYes
    Sources (1)
    1. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Chapel | JPCatholicjpcatholic.edu/studentlife/spiritual-life/adoration.php · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Chapel is located within our academic building and seats about 20 people. It is open every day for students to spend time before our Lord with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament taking place every weekday.”
      The campus chapel is inside the academic building, is open every day for students, and has exposition of the Blessed Sacrament every weekday.
  • 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, 5 confession, 0 adoration.)Computed from the verified Mass, confession, and adoration times listed on this page (each day a time is offered counts once).
ATheology and core curriculum: 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.

Theology and core curriculum

100 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Theology or religious studies courses required of all bachelor's studentsThree or more courses (The 2025-26 catalog lists five required theology courses; the General Education page lists six. Both are three or more.)
    Sources (2)
    1. University Catalog 2025-2026 | JPCatholicjpcatholic.edu/catalog/PDF/JPCatholic_Catalog_2025-2026.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Theology 5 Courses Philosophy 4 Courses”
      The University Core requires five theology courses and four philosophy courses of all bachelor's students.
    2. General Education | JPCatholicjpcatholic.edu/academics/degree/coreed.php · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “General Education (Total 25 Courses) Theology (6)”
      The General Education page lists six theology courses.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Required theology includes explicitly Catholic content (Scripture, Catholic tradition, sacraments)At least one required course is explicitly Catholic theology (THEO112 Christian Experience II is described as unpacking Catholic doctrine from the Catechism of the Catholic Church.)
    Sources (1)
    1. University Catalog 2025-2026 | JPCatholicjpcatholic.edu/catalog/PDF/JPCatholic_Catalog_2025-2026.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Building out from the first part of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, this course systematically unpacks the rich and challenging Catholic doctrines”
      THEO112 Christian Experience II covers Catholic doctrine drawn from the Catechism.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Philosophy courses required of all bachelor's studentsThree or more courses (Four required philosophy courses: Logic, Philosophy of Nature, Philosophy of Man, Philosophy of God.)
    Sources (1)
    1. University Catalog 2025-2026 | JPCatholicjpcatholic.edu/catalog/PDF/JPCatholic_Catalog_2025-2026.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Theology 5 Courses Philosophy 4 Courses”
      The University Core requires five theology courses and four philosophy courses of all bachelor's students.
  • 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
    Sources (1)
    1. General Education | JPCatholicjpcatholic.edu/academics/degree/coreed.php · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “All of our students take a core curriculum that is rooted in a rigorous study of Sacred Scripture, Catholic theology, and the philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas.”
      The core curriculum is described as rooted in Catholic theology and the philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Theology or religious studies major offeredYes (Offered as the Theology & Philosophy emphasis within the Bachelor of Arts in Humanities. The official site titles these pages Theology Programs. The catalog also lists a Theology minor.)
    Sources (1)
    1. University Catalog 2025-2026 | JPCatholicjpcatholic.edu/catalog/PDF/JPCatholic_Catalog_2025-2026.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Emphasis in Theology & Philosophy Students studying philosophy and theology will encounter Christ through the Sacred Word and the teachings of His Church.”
      The Bachelor of Arts in Humanities offers a Theology & Philosophy emphasis.
  • 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.
BCampus culture and residence life: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Campus culture and residence life

75 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Campus ministry staffing (chaplains, ministers, and professional staff)One (One named ministry staff member on the Student Life staff page (Coordinator of Campus Life).)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Life Staff | JPCatholicjpcatholic.edu/studentlife/staff.php · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Kayla Sacluti Coordinator of Campus Life ksacluti@jpcatholic.edu”
      Kayla Sacluti is listed as Coordinator of Campus Life.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Retreats offered to students each yearFour or more distinct retreats (Retreats named: Men's/Women's Retreat, Audience of One Artist's Retreat, Source & Summit Retreat, Silent Retreat, and the Into the Deep Fall Retreat.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Annual Winter Retreat | JPCatholicjpcatholic.edu/studentlife/spiritual-life/retreat.php · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “From the rotating retreats with themes such as The Men's/Women's Retreat, the Audience of One Artist's Retreat and the Source & Summit Retreat to our annual retreats such as the Silent Retreat and our JPCatholic Into the Deep Fall Retreat”
      Students have several named retreats, including rotating and annual retreats.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic student organizations and faith-formation groupsThree or more (Includes the Pro-Life Club, the Households, and the student-led ministries such as Bible study, Lectio Divina, and Choir.)
    Sources (3)
    1. Pro-Life Club | Student Clubs | JPCatholicjpcatholic.edu/studentlife/student-clubs/prolife-club.php · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The mission of the pro-life club is to bring education amongst young people on the reality of abortion.”
      The Pro-Life Club is a student club on the official clubs list.
    2. Households | JPCatholicjpcatholic.edu/studentlife/spiritual-life/households.php · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Our charisms include dedication to the pro-life ministry, faith formation through scripture reading, and active prayer.”
      The Mariposas of Guadalupe household lists pro-life ministry among its charisms.
    3. Ministries | Spiritual Life | JPCatholicjpcatholic.edu/studentlife/spiritual-life/ministries.php · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Lectio Divina Student Leaders: Sophia Klein & Emily Bowdish”
      The Ministries page lists student-led ministries such as Lectio Divina, Bible Study, Choir, and Altar Servers.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Single-sex residence optionsSingle-sex residence halls available (Student housing is in apartments at Marlowe Palomar Heights. The 2026-27 handbook says all student housing is single-sex.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Handbook 2026-2027 | JPCatholicjpcatholic.edu/NCUpdf/Student_Handbook.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “All student housing is single-sex to foster a respectful, safe environment that promotes chaste living in keeping with”
      The handbook states that all student housing is single-sex.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Overnight guest policy in residence hallsVisitation hours or guest limits apply (Opposite-sex intervisitation is limited to set hours and needs notice to Student Life; overnight guests need approval.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Handbook 2026-2027 | JPCatholicjpcatholic.edu/NCUpdf/Student_Handbook.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Apartments/townhomes (units) will have the opportunity to have open inter-visitation hours every day of the week between 5pm–10pm.”
      Apartments have set daily hours for opposite-sex visitation.
      “Overnight guests are not permitted without the approval of the Student Life Team.”
      Overnight guests require approval from the Student Life Team.
  • 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.
N/AService and Catholic social teaching: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Service and Catholic social teaching

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

  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Service or volunteer centerNot 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.
    Service-learning or community engagement in the curriculumNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • 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) (THEO400 Catholic Social Teaching is a course in the theology offerings. It is not part of the required core.)
    Sources (1)
    1. University Catalog 2025-2026 | JPCatholicjpcatholic.edu/catalog/PDF/JPCatholic_Catalog_2025-2026.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “THEO400 Catholic Social Teaching Building upon what had been discussed in THEO313, this course is a broad study of general Church teaching on social questions”
      THEO400 Catholic Social Teaching is a theology course in the catalog.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Pro-life engagement (student pro-life group, support for pregnant and parenting students, or institutional initiatives)Two or more (Two groups: the Pro-Life Club, and the Mariposas of Guadalupe household, which lists dedication to the pro-life ministry among its charisms.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Pro-Life Club | Student Clubs | JPCatholicjpcatholic.edu/studentlife/student-clubs/prolife-club.php · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The mission of the pro-life club is to bring education amongst young people on the reality of abortion.”
      The Pro-Life Club is a student club on the official clubs list.
    2. Households | JPCatholicjpcatholic.edu/studentlife/spiritual-life/households.php · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Our charisms include dedication to the pro-life ministry, faith formation through scripture reading, and active prayer.”
      The Mariposas of Guadalupe household lists pro-life ministry among its charisms.
  • 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 program found: the Homeless Outreach Club.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Homeless Outreach Club | Student Clubs | JPCatholicjpcatholic.edu/studentlife/student-clubs/homeless-outreach-club.php · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The purpose of Homeless Outreach Club is to aid the less fortunate with resources and necessities”
      The Homeless Outreach Club aids people in need in Escondido.
  • 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 listed on campus every weekday, on Saturday evening, and on Sunday, and class schedules are built around it.
    Sources (2)
    1. Mass & Confession | JPCatholicjpcatholic.edu/studentlife/spiritual-life/mass-and-confession.php · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Daily Mass: 11:00am Saturday Vigil: 5:00pm Sunday: 9:00am”
      The Mass schedule lists a daily 11:00 AM Mass, a 5:00 PM Saturday vigil, and a 9:00 AM Sunday Mass.
    2. Spiritual Life | JPCatholicjpcatholic.edu/studentlife/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Each day’s class schedule is structured around the Mass, so that any student who wishes may easily attend.”
      Class schedules are built around Mass so students can attend.
  • Confession is scheduled five times a week, and the campus chapel has adoration on weekdays.
    Sources (2)
    1. Mass & Confession | JPCatholicjpcatholic.edu/studentlife/spiritual-life/mass-and-confession.php · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 11:45am–12:30pm Saturday: 4:00pm–4:45pm Sunday: 8:00am–8:45am”
      Confession is scheduled on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 11:45 AM, Saturday at 4:00 PM, and Sunday at 8:00 AM.
    2. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Chapel | JPCatholicjpcatholic.edu/studentlife/spiritual-life/adoration.php · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Chapel is located within our academic building and seats about 20 people. It is open every day for students to spend time before our Lord with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament taking place every weekday.”
      The campus chapel is inside the academic building, is open every day for students, and has exposition of the Blessed Sacrament every weekday.
  • The core requires five theology courses and four philosophy courses, and the Christian Experience courses are described through the Catechism.
    Sources (1)
    1. University Catalog 2025-2026 | JPCatholicjpcatholic.edu/catalog/PDF/JPCatholic_Catalog_2025-2026.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Theology 5 Courses Philosophy 4 Courses”
      The University Core requires five theology courses and four philosophy courses of all bachelor's students.
      “Building out from the first part of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, this course systematically unpacks the rich and challenging Catholic doctrines”
      THEO112 Christian Experience II covers Catholic doctrine drawn from the Catechism.
  • Student-led households, ministries, and at least five named retreats are published.
    Sources (3)
    1. Annual Winter Retreat | JPCatholicjpcatholic.edu/studentlife/spiritual-life/retreat.php · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “From the rotating retreats with themes such as The Men's/Women's Retreat, the Audience of One Artist's Retreat and the Source & Summit Retreat to our annual retreats such as the Silent Retreat and our JPCatholic Into the Deep Fall Retreat”
      Students have several named retreats, including rotating and annual retreats.
    2. Ministries | Spiritual Life | JPCatholicjpcatholic.edu/studentlife/spiritual-life/ministries.php · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Lectio Divina Student Leaders: Sophia Klein & Emily Bowdish”
      The Ministries page lists student-led ministries such as Lectio Divina, Bible Study, Choir, and Altar Servers.
    3. Households | JPCatholicjpcatholic.edu/studentlife/spiritual-life/households.php · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “They are student-led groups of men or women of the same sex who form spiritual bonds of friendship through a common mission and spiritual charism.”
      Households are student-led groups formed around a common mission and devotion.

Concerns

  • Spiritual direction is offered by priests who are on campus weekly.
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Direction | JPCatholicjpcatholic.edu/studentlife/spiritual-life/spiritual-direction.php · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Spiritual Direction is offered by a number of priests who are on campus weekly”
      Spiritual direction is offered by priests who are on campus weekly.
  • Opposite-sex intervisitation is limited to set hours and requires notice to Student Life, and overnight guests need approval.
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Handbook 2026-2027 | JPCatholicjpcatholic.edu/NCUpdf/Student_Handbook.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Apartments/townhomes (units) will have the opportunity to have open inter-visitation hours every day of the week between 5pm–10pm.”
      Apartments have set daily hours for opposite-sex visitation.
      “Overnight guests are not permitted without the approval of the Student Life Team.”
      Overnight guests require approval from the Student Life Team.
  • Catholic social teaching is a single elective course (THEO400); it is not part of the required core.
    Sources (1)
    1. University Catalog 2025-2026 | JPCatholicjpcatholic.edu/catalog/PDF/JPCatholic_Catalog_2025-2026.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “THEO400 Catholic Social Teaching Building upon what had been discussed in THEO313, this course is a broad study of general Church teaching on social questions”
      THEO400 Catholic Social Teaching is a theology course in the catalog.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Chapel (JPCatholic Spiritual Life)

  • Address: 220 W. Grand Ave, Escondido, CA 92025
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: chapel

View on map ↗

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

Catholic clubs and student life

11 groups and regular activities · 1 on campus, 1 off campus, 9 location not published

Retreats 1

  • Annual retreats (including the fall retreat at Shepherd's Trail Retreat Center)Off campus
    Quarterly and annual retreats
    Named retreats include the Men's/Women's Retreat, Audience of One Artist's Retreat, Source & Summit Retreat, Silent Retreat, and Into the Deep Fall Retreat.
    jpcatholic.edu, jpcatholic.edu

Faith formation 4

  • Religious DaysOn campus
    Religious communities are invited to visit campus for a few days to share sacraments, spiritual direction, and fellowship.
    jpcatholic.edu
  • Student ministries (Bible study, Lectio Divina, Choir, Lector, Altar Servers, Rosary, and others)
    Student-led ministries that support spiritual practice.
    jpcatholic.edu, jpcatholic.edu
  • Mariposas of Guadalupe household: Coffee and Christ Bible studies and rosary hikes
    Weekly; rosary hikes Sunday mornings
    Women's household that holds weekly Bible studies and Sunday rosary hikes.
    jpcatholic.edu
  • Theology on Tap
    Approximately every other quarter
    Spiritual event with a guest speaker or local Catholics on religious and cultural topics, followed by discussion.
    jpcatholic.edu

Clubs and groups 2

  • Households (student-led men's and women's groups)
    Optional student-led groups of men or women built around a common devotion.
    jpcatholic.edu, jpcatholic.edu
  • Pro-Life Club
    Student club educating young people on the reality of abortion.
    jpcatholic.edu

Liturgy and prayer 2

  • First-Friday 24-hour adoration
    First Friday of every month
    24-hour adoration with an hour-long sign-up for students, exposed in one of the common rooms of the Latitude 33 complex.
    jpcatholic.edu
  • Nightly Rosary at the apartments
    Each night
    Students pray the Rosary each night at the apartments.
    jpcatholic.edu

Service 2

  • Homeless Outreach Club
    Student club that aids people in need in Escondido with resources and necessities.
    jpcatholic.edu
  • St. Dismas Guild Club
    Student ministry that organizes and ships religious materials to prison inmates.
    jpcatholic.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 (4)
  1. Catholic Identity | JPCatholicjpcatholic.edu/about/catholic-identity.php · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Our campus provides many opportunities for spiritual growth through daily Mass and the Sacraments, Eucharistic adoration, spiritual direction”
    The university lists daily Mass, adoration, and spiritual direction as campus opportunities.
  2. Ministries | Spiritual Life | JPCatholicjpcatholic.edu/studentlife/spiritual-life/ministries.php · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “The mission of Ministries at JPCatholic is to spread devotion to Christ and His Church through prayer and fellowship.”
    The Ministries page states the mission of the student ministries.
  3. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Chapel | JPCatholicjpcatholic.edu/studentlife/spiritual-life/adoration.php · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Chapel is located within our academic building and seats about 20 people. It is open every day for students to spend time before our Lord with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament taking place every weekday.”
    The campus chapel is inside the academic building, is open every day for students, and has exposition of the Blessed Sacrament every weekday.
  4. Student Handbook 2026-2027 | JPCatholicjpcatholic.edu/NCUpdf/Student_Handbook.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “in person at the main office, 220 W. Grand Ave, Escondido, CA 92025”
    The university's main office is at 220 W. Grand Ave, Escondido, CA 92025.

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Academic Excellence

BAcademic Excellence: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
73 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.64%
  • First-year retention 20% of scoreThis measure counts for 20% of the Academic Excellence score.85%
  • Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.SAT 1,130 · ACT 24.5
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.15 to 1
  • Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$19,433

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)
298
Total students298
Average net price (per year)
After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid
$34,666
Cost of attendance (per year)$52,367
Median federal debt at graduation$26,968
Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
64%
First-year retention85%
Median earnings 10 years after entry$56,930
Admission rate80%
Students receiving Pell grants33%
Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT1130
SAT reading & writing505–660
SAT math470–610
ACT composite21–28
Test policyConsidered but not required

Value index: 42 / 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 San Diego

The Most Reverend Michael Pham, Bishop of San Diego

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

  • IPEDS unit ID 462354
  • Carnegie classification: Baccalaureate college (diverse fields)
  • Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission (U.S. Department of Education DAPIP)
  • Religious affiliation (IPEDS): Roman Catholic
  • Report an error or a newer source

Questions families ask

Is John Paul the Great Catholic University a Catholic college?
Yes. John Paul the Great Catholic University is a Catholic college in the Diocese of San Diego.
What is John Paul the Great Catholic University’s Compass Score?
83 out of 100 (grade A). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.
Where is Mass celebrated at John Paul the Great Catholic University?
Mass is listed at Classroom M. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.
Is John Paul the Great Catholic University Compass Recommended?
Yes. John Paul the Great Catholic University meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic identity and academics.

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