Is Lehigh University a Catholic college?

No. Lehigh University is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by Newman Center (Lehigh Catholic Campus Ministry).

Where is Mass celebrated at Lehigh University?

Mass is listed at Packer Memorial Church and Newman Center Upper Room Chapel. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.

Is Lehigh University Compass Recommended?

Yes. Lehigh University meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic life on campus.

College · Catholic life on campus

Lehigh University

LocationBethlehem, PA
Type and sizePrivate nonprofit · 4-year · 7,590 students

Official website Recommended badge

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

Lehigh's Catholic campus ministry is the Newman Center, located at Holy Ghost Church on Carlton Avenue in Bethlehem. Its Catholic chaplain is Rev. Stephan A. Isaac, and the ministry's fall 2026 calendar lists Sunday Masses at Packer Memorial Church, Tuesday and Wednesday Masses in the Newman Center's Upper Room Chapel, and weekly confession and adoration on Sundays and Wednesdays. FOCUS lists Lehigh among the campuses it serves.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 4

Sunday12:10 PMPacker Memorial Church · Fall 2026 calendar.
Sunday9:10 PMPacker Memorial Church · Fall 2026 calendar.
Tuesday6:00 PMNewman Center Upper Room Chapel · Fall 2026 calendar.
Wednesday6:00 PMNewman Center Upper Room Chapel · Followed by fellowship dinner. Fall 2026 calendar.

Confession 2

Sunday8:00 PM–9:00 PMPacker Memorial Church · Fall 2026 calendar; confession also available by request.
Wednesday4:15 PM–5:15 PMPacker Memorial Church · Fall 2026 calendar.

Adoration 2

Sunday8:00 PM–9:00 PMPacker Memorial Church · Fall 2026 calendar.
Wednesday4:15 PM–5:15 PMPacker Memorial Church · Fall 2026 calendar.

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)

Newman Center | Lehigh Universitynewmancenter.lehigh.edu · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Sunday – Packer Memorial Church 12:10 PM 9:10 PM Newman Center – Upper Room Chapel Tuesday @ 6:00 PM Wednesday @ 6:00 PM”
The Newman Center's Mass times list Sunday Masses at 12:10 PM and 9:10 PM at Packer Memorial Church, and Tuesday and Wednesday Masses at 6:00 PM in the Upper Room Chapel.
“Sunday – Packer Memorial Church 12:10 PM 9:10 PM Newman Center – Upper Room Chapel Tuesday @ 6:00 PM Wednesday @ 6:00 PM”
The Newman Center's Mass times list Sunday Masses at 12:10 PM and 9:10 PM at Packer Memorial Church, and Tuesday and Wednesday Masses at 6:00 PM in the Upper Room Chapel.
“Sunday – Packer Memorial Church 12:10 PM 9:10 PM Newman Center – Upper Room Chapel Tuesday @ 6:00 PM Wednesday @ 6:00 PM”
The Newman Center's Mass times list Sunday Masses at 12:10 PM and 9:10 PM at Packer Memorial Church, and Tuesday and Wednesday Masses at 6:00 PM in the Upper Room Chapel.
“Sunday – Packer Memorial Church 12:10 PM 9:10 PM Newman Center – Upper Room Chapel Tuesday @ 6:00 PM Wednesday @ 6:00 PM”
The Newman Center's Mass times list Sunday Masses at 12:10 PM and 9:10 PM at Packer Memorial Church, and Tuesday and Wednesday Masses at 6:00 PM in the Upper Room Chapel.
Newman Center Calendar | Newman Centernewmancenter.lehigh.edu/mass-schedule · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Adoration and Confessions from 8:00-9:00pm”
The Fall 2026 calendar lists adoration and confessions on Sunday evenings from 8:00 to 9:00 PM at Packer Church.
“Adoration and Confessions 4:15pm – 5:15pm in Packer Church”
The Fall 2026 calendar lists adoration and confessions on Wednesdays from 4:15 to 5:15 PM at Packer Church.
“Adoration and Confessions from 8:00-9:00pm”
The Fall 2026 calendar lists adoration and confessions on Sunday evenings from 8:00 to 9:00 PM at Packer Church.
“Adoration and Confessions 4:15pm – 5:15pm in Packer Church”
The Fall 2026 calendar lists adoration and confessions on Wednesdays from 4:15 to 5:15 PM at Packer Church.

Plan a campus visit Mass times for your dates, questions to ask, and a calendar button.

Catholic churches nearby

CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›

Holy Ghost Catholic Church — 0.2 mi · 417 Carlton Avenue, Bethlehem
Holy Infancy Roman Catholic Church — 0.4 mi · 312 East 4th Street, Bethlehem
Incarnation of Our Lord Catholic Church — 0.6 mi · 617 Pierce Street, Bethlehem
Saint Ursula's Roman Catholic Church — 1.1 mi · 1300 Broadway, Fountain Hill
Saints Simon and Jude Catholic Church — 1.3 mi · 730 West Broad Street, Bethlehem
Saint Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church — 2.0 mi · 1826 Kenmore Avenue, Bethlehem

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

81 of 100 points on what we could document.

Yes:
Catholic campus ministry serving this campus (Catholic center, campus ministry, or chaplaincy)Yes
Sources (2)
1. College Campus Ministry | Diocese of Allentownallentowndiocese.org/college-students · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Lehigh University Chaplain: Rev. Stephan A. Isaac, M. Div., M.A.”
  The Diocese of Allentown's college campus ministry list names a chaplain for Lehigh University.
2. Newman Center | Lehigh Universitynewmancenter.lehigh.edu · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “The mission of Lehigh Catholic Campus Ministry and the Newman Center is to love and serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”
  Lehigh Catholic Campus Ministry and the Newman Center state their mission for the Lehigh campus.
Yes:
Dedicated Catholic center or chapel on or next to campusYes (The ministry's dedicated Newman Center, with a chapel, is about 0.23 mile from the campus (computed from its published address).)
Sources (2)
1. Newman Center | Lehigh Universitynewmancenter.lehigh.edu · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “417 Carlton Avenue Bethlehem, PA 18015-1535”
  The Newman Center's published street address is 417 Carlton Avenue, Bethlehem, PA 18015-1535.
  “Sunday – Packer Memorial Church 12:10 PM 9:10 PM Newman Center – Upper Room Chapel Tuesday @ 6:00 PM Wednesday @ 6:00 PM”
  The Newman Center's Mass times list Sunday Masses at 12:10 PM and 9:10 PM at Packer Memorial Church, and Tuesday and Wednesday Masses at 6:00 PM in the Upper Room Chapel.
2. The History of the Newman Center | Newman Centernewmancenter.lehigh.edu/history · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “office, bathroom, kitchenette, computer room and student lounge”
  The Newman Center's first floor includes an office, a bathroom, a kitchenette, a computer room, and a student lounge.
Partly:
Priest chaplain assigned to campus ministryPart-time or shared priest (Fr. Isaac is named as Catholic Chaplain; his published biography also lists a high school chaplaincy and a diocesan office.)
Sources (2)
1. Newman Center | Lehigh Universitynewmancenter.lehigh.edu · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Catholic Chaplain: Rev. Stephan A. Isaac, M. Div., M.A. E-mail: sai424@lehigh.edu”
  Rev. Stephan A. Isaac is listed as the Catholic Chaplain, with a published email address.
2. Our Chaplain | Newman Centernewmancenter.lehigh.edu/our-chaplain · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Currently, Fr. Isaac is so blessed to serve as the Chaplain of Bethlehem Catholic High School as well as the Catholic Chaplain of Lehigh University.”
  Fr. Isaac's published biography lists a high school chaplaincy alongside his role as Catholic Chaplain of Lehigh University.
Partly:
Weekday Mass at the campus ministry1–4 weekdays (Weekday Masses are listed on Tuesday and Wednesday at 6:00 PM in the Upper Room Chapel (2 weekdays).)
Sources (1)
1. Newman Center | Lehigh Universitynewmancenter.lehigh.edu · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Sunday – Packer Memorial Church 12:10 PM 9:10 PM Newman Center – Upper Room Chapel Tuesday @ 6:00 PM Wednesday @ 6:00 PM”
  The Newman Center's Mass times list Sunday Masses at 12:10 PM and 9:10 PM at Packer Memorial Church, and Tuesday and Wednesday Masses at 6:00 PM in the Upper Room Chapel.
Yes:
Sunday Mass at the campus ministry or a campus chapelTwo or more weekend Masses (Two Sunday Masses (12:10 PM and 9:10 PM) are listed at Packer Memorial Church, the ministry's Sunday Mass location.)
Sources (2)
1. Newman Center | Lehigh Universitynewmancenter.lehigh.edu · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Sunday – Packer Memorial Church 12:10 PM 9:10 PM Newman Center – Upper Room Chapel Tuesday @ 6:00 PM Wednesday @ 6:00 PM”
  The Newman Center's Mass times list Sunday Masses at 12:10 PM and 9:10 PM at Packer Memorial Church, and Tuesday and Wednesday Masses at 6:00 PM in the Upper Room Chapel.
2. Newman Center Calendar | Newman Centernewmancenter.lehigh.edu/mass-schedule · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Sunday Mass Schedule 12:10pm and 9:10pm Masses in Packer Church”
  The Fall 2026 calendar lists two Sunday Masses at Packer Memorial Church.
Yes:
Scheduled confession at the campus ministryWeekly or more often (Scheduled confession is listed on Sunday and Wednesday afternoons or evenings at Packer Memorial Church; confession is also available by request.)
Sources (1)
1. Newman Center Calendar | Newman Centernewmancenter.lehigh.edu/mass-schedule · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Adoration and Confessions from 8:00-9:00pm”
  The Fall 2026 calendar lists adoration and confessions on Sunday evenings from 8:00 to 9:00 PM at Packer Church.
  “Adoration and Confessions 4:15pm – 5:15pm in Packer Church”
  The Fall 2026 calendar lists adoration and confessions on Wednesdays from 4:15 to 5:15 PM at Packer Church.
Yes:
Catholic student groups and missionary outreach (e.g., FOCUS, Saint Paul's Outreach, Knights of Columbus, Bible studies)Two or more (The Newman Council is the Catholic student council of the campus ministry. FOCUS is listed as serving Lehigh.)
Sources (2)
1. Newman Council Executive Board | Newman Centernewmancenter.lehigh.edu/newman-council · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “The Newman Council Executive Board is comprised of members of the Lehigh University Catholic Community who have made a commitment to further the presence of the Catholic Church on campus.”
  The Newman Council is a student council of the Lehigh Catholic community.
2. Campuses | FOCUSfocus.org/about/campuses · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “San Francisco State UniversityLehigh UniversityHope College”
  FOCUS lists Lehigh University among the campuses where it serves.
Yes:
Formation programs (retreats, OCIA/RCIA, service, small groups)Two or more kinds (Formation is offered through OCIA and the ministry's organized retreats and pilgrimages (one pilgrimage is listed for October 24, 2026).)
Sources (2)
1. Interested in becoming Catholic? | Newman Centernewmancenter.lehigh.edu/interested-becoming-catholic · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “OCIA at Lehigh meets every Monday from 7-8:30 PM in the Newman Center”
  The Newman Center runs a weekly OCIA program for students preparing to join the Catholic Church.
2. Newman Council Executive Board | Newman Centernewmancenter.lehigh.edu/newman-council · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “The Head of Programs & Events will assist the Catholic Chaplain Fr. Isaac, Catholic Campus Coordinator Ron Koach in organizing outings, pilgrimages, and retreats.”
  The Newman Council's position descriptions state that the ministry organizes outings, pilgrimages, and retreats.
Yes:
Catholic church within walking distance (computed from OpenStreetMap)Within 1 mile of campusComputed from OpenStreetMap church locations.
Partly:
Published weekly schedule of Mass, confession, and adoration6 to 11 times a week (8 weekly times documented: 4 Mass, 2 confession, 2 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

Sunday Masses at 12:10 PM and 9:10 PM, plus Tuesday and Wednesday evening Masses, are listed for the current semester.
Sources (2)
1. Newman Center | Lehigh Universitynewmancenter.lehigh.edu · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Sunday – Packer Memorial Church 12:10 PM 9:10 PM Newman Center – Upper Room Chapel Tuesday @ 6:00 PM Wednesday @ 6:00 PM”
  The Newman Center's Mass times list Sunday Masses at 12:10 PM and 9:10 PM at Packer Memorial Church, and Tuesday and Wednesday Masses at 6:00 PM in the Upper Room Chapel.
2. Newman Center Calendar | Newman Centernewmancenter.lehigh.edu/mass-schedule · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Sunday Mass Schedule 12:10pm and 9:10pm Masses in Packer Church”
  The Fall 2026 calendar lists two Sunday Masses at Packer Memorial Church.
Confession and adoration are listed weekly on Sunday and Wednesday evenings.
Sources (1)
1. Newman Center Calendar | Newman Centernewmancenter.lehigh.edu/mass-schedule · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Adoration and Confessions from 8:00-9:00pm”
  The Fall 2026 calendar lists adoration and confessions on Sunday evenings from 8:00 to 9:00 PM at Packer Church.
  “Adoration and Confessions 4:15pm – 5:15pm in Packer Church”
  The Fall 2026 calendar lists adoration and confessions on Wednesdays from 4:15 to 5:15 PM at Packer Church.
Student groups are listed: the Newman Council and FOCUS.
Sources (2)
1. Newman Council Executive Board | Newman Centernewmancenter.lehigh.edu/newman-council · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “The Newman Council Executive Board is comprised of members of the Lehigh University Catholic Community who have made a commitment to further the presence of the Catholic Church on campus.”
  The Newman Council is a student council of the Lehigh Catholic community.
2. Campuses | FOCUSfocus.org/about/campuses · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “San Francisco State UniversityLehigh UniversityHope College”
  FOCUS lists Lehigh University among the campuses where it serves.

Concerns

The chaplain's published biography lists other assignments alongside Lehigh.
Sources (1)
1. Our Chaplain | Newman Centernewmancenter.lehigh.edu/our-chaplain · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Currently, Fr. Isaac is so blessed to serve as the Chaplain of Bethlehem Catholic High School as well as the Catholic Chaplain of Lehigh University.”
  Fr. Isaac's published biography lists a high school chaplaincy alongside his role as Catholic Chaplain of Lehigh University.
Weekday Mass is listed on two days a week.
Sources (1)
1. Newman Center | Lehigh Universitynewmancenter.lehigh.edu · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Sunday – Packer Memorial Church 12:10 PM 9:10 PM Newman Center – Upper Room Chapel Tuesday @ 6:00 PM Wednesday @ 6:00 PM”
  The Newman Center's Mass times list Sunday Masses at 12:10 PM and 9:10 PM at Packer Memorial Church, and Tuesday and Wednesday Masses at 6:00 PM in the Upper Room Chapel.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

The Catholic center

Newman Center (Lehigh Catholic Campus Ministry)

Address: 417 Carlton Avenue, Bethlehem, PA 18015-1535
Distance from campus: 0.2 mi (straight line from the campus point in federal IPEDS data)
Facilities: chapel, student lounge, kitchenette

View on map ↗

Source: newmancenter.lehigh.edu, verified Oct. 12, 2026, newmancenter.lehigh.edu, verified Oct. 12, 2026, newmancenter.lehigh.edu, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

7 groups and regular activities · 0 on campus, 1 off campus, 6 location not published

Retreats 1

Pilgrimage to Padre Pio Shrine and Our Lady of Czestochowa ShrineOff campus
Saturday, October 24, 2026
One-time pilgrimage trip listed on the Fall 2026 calendar.
newmancenter.lehigh.edu

Faith formation 1

OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
Mondays 7:00 to 8:30 PM
Weekly preparation for students who want to become Catholic or receive the remaining sacraments of initiation, held in the Newman Center.
newmancenter.lehigh.edu

Clubs and groups 2

Newman Council
Student executive board that advises the Catholic chaplain and steers the Newman Center's programs, with officers and committees for liturgy, service, outreach, and Greek life.
newmancenter.lehigh.edu
FOCUS
FOCUS lists Lehigh University among the campuses it serves.
focus.org

Liturgy and prayer 1

Rosary
Mondays 4:30 PM, Tuesdays and Wednesdays 5:30 PM, Thursdays 11:00 AM
Rosary prayed in the Upper Room Chapel at the listed times.
newmancenter.lehigh.edu

Social life 2

Weekly fellowship dinner
Wednesdays, after the 6:00 PM Mass
Fellowship dinner held after the Wednesday Mass in the Upper Room Chapel.
newmancenter.lehigh.edu
Annual Turkey Dinner Feast
Monday, November 16, 2026
Dinner held after a 6:00 PM Mass in the Upper Room Chapel, listed on the Fall 2026 calendar as an annual event.
newmancenter.lehigh.edu

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 (4)

Newman Center | Lehigh Universitynewmancenter.lehigh.edu · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“The mission of Lehigh Catholic Campus Ministry and the Newman Center is to love and serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”
Lehigh Catholic Campus Ministry and the Newman Center state their mission for the Lehigh campus.
“417 Carlton Avenue Bethlehem, PA 18015-1535”
The Newman Center's published street address is 417 Carlton Avenue, Bethlehem, PA 18015-1535.
“Sunday – Packer Memorial Church 12:10 PM 9:10 PM Newman Center – Upper Room Chapel Tuesday @ 6:00 PM Wednesday @ 6:00 PM”
The Newman Center's Mass times list Sunday Masses at 12:10 PM and 9:10 PM at Packer Memorial Church, and Tuesday and Wednesday Masses at 6:00 PM in the Upper Room Chapel.
College Campus Ministry | Diocese of Allentownallentowndiocese.org/college-students · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Lehigh University Chaplain: Rev. Stephan A. Isaac, M. Div., M.A.”
The Diocese of Allentown's college campus ministry list names a chaplain for Lehigh University.
Campuses | FOCUSfocus.org/about/campuses · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“San Francisco State UniversityLehigh UniversityHope College”
FOCUS lists Lehigh University among the campuses where it serves.
The History of the Newman Center | Newman Centernewmancenter.lehigh.edu/history · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“office, bathroom, kitchenette, computer room and student lounge”
The Newman Center's first floor includes an office, a bathroom, a kitchenette, a computer room, and a student lounge.

Reach out

Contact details for Rev. Stephan A. Isaac (Catholic Chaplain) and 2 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

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

My rating and notes

Academic Excellence

97 of 100

From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

Graduation rate 35% of score88%
First-year retention 20% of score94%
Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreSAT 1,440 · ACT 32.5
Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of score10 to 1
Instructional spending per student 15% of score$24,840

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))

Campus facts

Sports	NCAA Division I · Patriot League
Setting	City
ROTC	Army
Study abroad	Offered
Students per faculty member	10 to 1

Federal data (IPEDS). None of this changes the faith grades.

Cost and value

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

Value and outcomes
Undergraduate students Fall enrollment (IPEDS)	5,811
Total students	7,590
Average net price (per year) After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid	$36,931
Cost of attendance (per year)	$80,856
Median federal debt at graduation	$21,960
Graduation rate First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time	88%
First-year retention	94%
Median earnings 10 years after entry	$105,584
Admission rate	26%
Students receiving Pell grants	18%

Admitted students’ middle range:SAT 1370–1500ACT 31–34

Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT	1440
SAT reading & writing	680–730
SAT math	690–770
ACT composite	31–34
Test policy	Considered but not required

Value index: 63 / 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 Allentown

The Most Reverend Alfred A. Schlert, Bishop of Allentown

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Source: allentowndiocese.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 213543
Carnegie classification: Doctoral university (high research)
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (U.S. Department of Education DAPIP)
Report an error or a newer source
Respond as this school

Questions families ask

Is Lehigh University a Catholic college?: No. Lehigh University is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by Newman Center (Lehigh Catholic Campus Ministry).
What is Lehigh University’s Catholic Life Score?: 85 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 Lehigh University?: Mass is listed at Packer Memorial Church and Newman Center Upper Room Chapel. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.
Is Lehigh University Compass Recommended?: Yes. Lehigh University meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic life on campus.

Ask the school

Something you want to know that isn’t on this page? Ask it here. We send it to the school, and their answer appears on this page. Your name is never shared.

Reviews

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

No reviews yet.

Colleges like this one

Close in size, cost after aid, selectivity and faith life.

Catholic Life ScoreWake Forest UniversityWinston-Salem, NC9,121 students · Net price $28,719 a year Catholic Life ScoreBucknell UniversityLewisburg, PA3,892 students · Net price $40,766 a year Catholic Life ScoreRensselaer Polytechnic InstituteTroy, NY7,024 students · Net price $36,228 a year Catholic Life ScoreTexas Christian UniversityFort Worth, TX12,785 students · Net price $36,660 a year

More in Pennsylvania · Pennsylvania rankings