Is Massachusetts Institute of Technology a Catholic college?

No. Massachusetts Institute of Technology is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by MIT Tech Catholic Community.

Where is Mass celebrated at Massachusetts Institute of Technology?

Mass is listed at MIT Chapel. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.

Is Massachusetts Institute of Technology Compass Recommended?

Yes. Massachusetts Institute of Technology meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic life on campus.

College · Catholic life on campus

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

LocationCambridge, MA
Type and sizePrivate nonprofit · 4-year · 11,920 students

Official website Campus Ministry Honor Roll badge

Catholic Life Score

Catholic life 75%Academics 25%

ACatholic life
90 of 100

AAcademics
100 of 100

Verified Oct. 12, 2026 · How the score works

Campus Ministry Honor RollCompass Recommended

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is not a Catholic college. This rating measures Catholic life on campus: campus ministry, priests, Mass and confession, student groups, and nearby parishes.

The MIT Tech Catholic Community (TCC) describes itself as the official Catholic presence on the MIT campus, with its office in MIT Building W11 at 40 Massachusetts Avenue. Its published schedule lists Sunday Masses in the MIT Chapel, weekday Masses Monday through Friday, weekly confession, and weekly adoration, with Fr. Peter Schirripa listed as chaplain and Fr. Michael Medas listed for confession and liturgical ministry. Its activities include FOCUS-organized Bible studies, a Friday Spaghetti Supper, a Back Bay soup kitchen, and FOCUS mission trips.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 5

Monday, Wednesday7:30 PMMIT Chapel
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday12:05 PMMIT Chapel
Sunday9:30 AMMIT Chapel · Traditional hymns. During the regular school semester.
Sunday1:00 PMMIT Chapel · Contemporary music. During the regular school semester.
Sunday5:00 PMMIT Chapel · Praise and worship music. During the regular school semester.

Confession 2

Monday6:00 PMCatholic Chaplain's Office, W11 · Until 7:00 PM.
Wednesday8:00 PMMIT Chapel, lower level · Until 9:00 PM.

Adoration 2

Tuesday10:00 PMMIT Chapel · Until 11:00 PM.
Wednesday8:00 PMMIT Chapel · Until 9:00 PM.

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

Sources for these times (1)

Pray | MIT Tech Catholic Communitymitcatholic.org/pray · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Mondays & Wednesdays: 7:30pm Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays: 12:05pm”
Weekday Masses are listed in the MIT Chapel on Mondays and Wednesdays at 7:30 PM and Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 12:05 PM.
“Mondays & Wednesdays: 7:30pm Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays: 12:05pm”
Weekday Masses are listed in the MIT Chapel on Mondays and Wednesdays at 7:30 PM and Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 12:05 PM.
“Sunday Masses (MIT Chapel): 9:30am (traditional hymns) 1:00pm (contemporary music) 5:00pm (praise and worship music)”
Sunday Masses are listed at 9:30 AM, 1:00 PM, and 5:00 PM in the MIT Chapel.
“Sunday Masses (MIT Chapel): 9:30am (traditional hymns) 1:00pm (contemporary music) 5:00pm (praise and worship music)”
Sunday Masses are listed at 9:30 AM, 1:00 PM, and 5:00 PM in the MIT Chapel.
“Sunday Masses (MIT Chapel): 9:30am (traditional hymns) 1:00pm (contemporary music) 5:00pm (praise and worship music)”
Sunday Masses are listed at 9:30 AM, 1:00 PM, and 5:00 PM in the MIT Chapel.
“Mondays: 6:00pm – 7:00pm (W11-Catholic Chaplain’s Office)”
Confession is listed on Mondays from 6:00 to 7:00 PM at the Catholic Chaplain's Office in W11.
“Wednesdays: 8:00pm – 9:00pm (MIT Chapel lower level)”
Confession is listed on Wednesdays from 8:00 to 9:00 PM in the lower level of the MIT Chapel.
“Tuesdays: 10:00pm – 11:00pm (MIT Chapel) Wednesdays: 8:00pm – 9:00pm (MIT Chapel)”
Eucharistic adoration is listed on Tuesdays from 10:00 to 11:00 PM and Wednesdays from 8:00 to 9:00 PM in the MIT Chapel.
“Tuesdays: 10:00pm – 11:00pm (MIT Chapel) Wednesdays: 8:00pm – 9:00pm (MIT Chapel)”
Eucharistic adoration is listed on Tuesdays from 10:00 to 11:00 PM and Wednesdays from 8:00 to 9:00 PM in the MIT Chapel.

Catholic churches nearby

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

Saint Mary of the Annunciation — 0.7 mi · 134 Norfolk Street, Cambridge
BU Catholic Center — 0.8 mi
Saint Clement Eucharistic Shrine — 0.9 mi · 1105 Boylston Street, Boston
Saint Anthony's Catholic Church — 0.9 mi · 400 Cardinal Medeiros Avenue
Parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus — 0.9 mi · 47 Sixth Street, Cambridge
Saint Cecilia Parish — 0.9 mi · 14-18;18 Belvidere Street, Boston

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

90 of 100 points on what we could document.

Yes:
Catholic campus ministry serving this campus (Catholic center, campus ministry, or chaplaincy)Yes
Sources (1)
1. MIT Tech Catholic Communitymitcatholic.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “As the official Catholic presence on the MIT campus, the Tech Catholic Community fosters unity among our international community of students and faculty”
  The Tech Catholic Community states it is the official Catholic presence on the MIT campus.
Not enough information:
Dedicated Catholic center or chapel on or next to campusNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Yes:
Priest chaplain assigned to campus ministryFull-time priest chaplain (Fr. Peter Schirripa is presented as the Catholic community's chaplain.)
Sources (2)
1. Why Catholic | MIT Tech Catholic Communitymitcatholic.org/why-catholic · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Fr. Peter Schrirripa Chaplain frpeter7@mit.edu”
  The ministry's site names Fr. Peter Schrirripa as Chaplain with the email frpeter7@mit.edu (the site spells the name 'Schrirripa').
2. People | MIT Division of Student Lifestudentlife.mit.edu/about-dsl/people · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Affiliated Chaplain, TCC (Tech Catholic Community)”
  The MIT Office of Religious, Spiritual, and Ethical Life lists Peter Schirripa as an affiliated chaplain of the Tech Catholic Community.
Yes:
Weekday Mass at the campus ministryEvery weekday (5 or more weekdays) (Weekday Mass is listed Monday through Friday at the MIT Chapel.)
Sources (1)
1. Pray | MIT Tech Catholic Communitymitcatholic.org/pray · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Mondays & Wednesdays: 7:30pm Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays: 12:05pm”
  Weekday Masses are listed in the MIT Chapel on Mondays and Wednesdays at 7:30 PM and Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 12:05 PM.
Yes:
Sunday Mass at the campus ministry or a campus chapelTwo or more weekend Masses (Three Sunday Masses are listed at the MIT Chapel.)
Sources (1)
1. Pray | MIT Tech Catholic Communitymitcatholic.org/pray · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Sunday Masses (MIT Chapel): 9:30am (traditional hymns) 1:00pm (contemporary music) 5:00pm (praise and worship music)”
  Sunday Masses are listed at 9:30 AM, 1:00 PM, and 5:00 PM in the MIT Chapel.
Yes:
Scheduled confession at the campus ministryWeekly or more often (Scheduled confession is listed weekly on Mondays and Wednesdays.)
Sources (1)
1. Pray | MIT Tech Catholic Communitymitcatholic.org/pray · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Mondays: 6:00pm – 7:00pm (W11-Catholic Chaplain’s Office)”
  Confession is listed on Mondays from 6:00 to 7:00 PM at the Catholic Chaplain's Office in W11.
  “Wednesdays: 8:00pm – 9:00pm (MIT Chapel lower level)”
  Confession is listed on Wednesdays from 8:00 to 9:00 PM in the lower level of the MIT Chapel.
Partly:
Catholic student groups and missionary outreach (e.g., FOCUS, Saint Paul's Outreach, Knights of Columbus, Bible studies)One (FOCUS-organized Bible studies are listed. FOCUS lists MIT among its campuses.)
Sources (2)
1. Pray | MIT Tech Catholic Communitymitcatholic.org/pray · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Weekly Bible studies organized by FOCUS (Fellowship Of Catholic University Students).”
  Weekly Bible studies are organized by FOCUS.
2. Campuses | FOCUSfocus.org/about/campuses · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Massachusetts Institute of Technology”
  FOCUS lists the Massachusetts Institute of Technology among the campuses it serves.
Yes:
Formation programs (retreats, OCIA/RCIA, service, small groups)Two or more kinds (Formation (FOCUS Bible studies and Thomistic lectures) and service (a Back Bay soup kitchen and FOCUS mission trips).)
Sources (3)
1. Pray | MIT Tech Catholic Communitymitcatholic.org/pray · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Weekly Bible studies organized by FOCUS (Fellowship Of Catholic University Students).”
  Weekly Bible studies are organized by FOCUS.
2. Get Involved | MIT Tech Catholic Communitymitcatholic.org/get-involved · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Each year, several members of the TCC attend mission trips all over the world, especially during winter, spring, and summer breaks.”
  The ministry reports members attend FOCUS mission trips each year, mostly during breaks.
  “Join fellow students and local young professionals in passing out socks, sandwiches, and snacks”
  The ministry lists a Back Bay mobile soup kitchen that students join to serve.
3. MIT Tech Catholic Communitymitcatholic.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Monthly lectures on today's big issues from a Thomistic perspective.”
  The ministry lists monthly lectures from a Thomistic perspective, the MIT Thomistic Institute.
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 adoration12 to 19 times a week (12 weekly times documented: 8 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

Mass is listed in the MIT Chapel every weekday and three times on Sunday.
Sources (1)
1. Pray | MIT Tech Catholic Communitymitcatholic.org/pray · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Sunday Masses (MIT Chapel): 9:30am (traditional hymns) 1:00pm (contemporary music) 5:00pm (praise and worship music)”
  Sunday Masses are listed at 9:30 AM, 1:00 PM, and 5:00 PM in the MIT Chapel.
  “Mondays & Wednesdays: 7:30pm Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays: 12:05pm”
  Weekday Masses are listed in the MIT Chapel on Mondays and Wednesdays at 7:30 PM and Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 12:05 PM.
Confession and adoration are listed weekly in the MIT Chapel and at the Catholic Chaplain's Office.
Sources (1)
1. Pray | MIT Tech Catholic Communitymitcatholic.org/pray · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Mondays: 6:00pm – 7:00pm (W11-Catholic Chaplain’s Office)”
  Confession is listed on Mondays from 6:00 to 7:00 PM at the Catholic Chaplain's Office in W11.
  “Wednesdays: 8:00pm – 9:00pm (MIT Chapel lower level)”
  Confession is listed on Wednesdays from 8:00 to 9:00 PM in the lower level of the MIT Chapel.
  “Tuesdays: 10:00pm – 11:00pm (MIT Chapel) Wednesdays: 8:00pm – 9:00pm (MIT Chapel)”
  Eucharistic adoration is listed on Tuesdays from 10:00 to 11:00 PM and Wednesdays from 8:00 to 9:00 PM in the MIT Chapel.
Formation and service programs are listed, including FOCUS Bible studies, Thomistic lectures, a soup kitchen, and FOCUS mission trips.
Sources (3)
1. Pray | MIT Tech Catholic Communitymitcatholic.org/pray · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Weekly Bible studies organized by FOCUS (Fellowship Of Catholic University Students).”
  Weekly Bible studies are organized by FOCUS.
2. MIT Tech Catholic Communitymitcatholic.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Monthly lectures on today's big issues from a Thomistic perspective.”
  The ministry lists monthly lectures from a Thomistic perspective, the MIT Thomistic Institute.
3. Get Involved | MIT Tech Catholic Communitymitcatholic.org/get-involved · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Join fellow students and local young professionals in passing out socks, sandwiches, and snacks”
  The ministry lists a Back Bay mobile soup kitchen that students join to serve.
  “Each year, several members of the TCC attend mission trips all over the world, especially during winter, spring, and summer breaks.”
  The ministry reports members attend FOCUS mission trips each year, mostly during breaks.

Concerns

The ministry's pages list two priests, and the MIT office lists the chaplain as affiliated rather than full-time.
Sources (3)
1. Why Catholic | MIT Tech Catholic Communitymitcatholic.org/why-catholic · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Fr. Peter Schrirripa Chaplain frpeter7@mit.edu”
  The ministry's site names Fr. Peter Schrirripa as Chaplain with the email frpeter7@mit.edu (the site spells the name 'Schrirripa').
2. People | MIT Division of Student Lifestudentlife.mit.edu/about-dsl/people · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Affiliated Chaplain, TCC (Tech Catholic Community)”
  The MIT Office of Religious, Spiritual, and Ethical Life lists Peter Schirripa as an affiliated chaplain of the Tech Catholic Community.
3. Get Involved | MIT Tech Catholic Communitymitcatholic.org/get-involved · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “contact Fr. Michael at mmedas@mit.edu”
  The ministry directs liturgical ministry inquiries to Fr. Michael at mmedas@mit.edu.
Mass, confession, and adoration times are stated for the regular school semester only.
Sources (1)
1. Pray | MIT Tech Catholic Communitymitcatholic.org/pray · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “During the regular school semester, the events below follow their listed schedule.”
  The ministry states its listed schedule applies during the regular school semester.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

The Catholic center

MIT Tech Catholic Community

Address: 40 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139
Location: On campus
Facilities: MIT Chapel (Masses, adoration, and confession in the lower level), Catholic Chaplain's Office in W11, Religious Activities Building (W11), where coffee and donuts follow Sunday Masses

View on map ↗

Source: mitcatholic.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026, mitcatholic.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026, mitcatholic.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

9 groups and regular activities · 1 on campus, 3 off campus, 5 location not published

Liturgy and prayer 2

Saturday devotion at St. Francis Chapel, BostonOff campus
Each Saturday of the month
Holy Hour, confession, and Mass at St. Francis Chapel in the Prudential Center, Boston.
mitcatholic.org
Rosary and Compline
Tuesdays and Fridays (Rosary); Tuesdays and Wednesdays (Compline)
Prayer events in the MIT Chapel in addition to Mass.
mitcatholic.org

Service 2

Back Bay Mobile Soup KitchenOff campus
Students serve with local young professionals, passing out food and supplies in Back Bay, Boston.
mitcatholic.org
FOCUS mission tripsOff campus
Winter, spring, and summer breaks
Members of the ministry attend FOCUS mission trips around the world each year.
mitcatholic.org

Social life 2

Coffee and donuts after Sunday MassOn campus
After Sunday morning Masses
Conversation and community in the Religious Activities Building (W11).
mitcatholic.org
Spaghetti Supper
Fridays 7 to 9 PM during the semester
Friday evening meal for community-building.
mitcatholic.org

Faith formation 3

FOCUS Bible study
Weekly during the semester
Weekly Bible studies organized by FOCUS, led by a campus FOCUS missionary.
mitcatholic.org, mitcatholic.org
Tech Catholic Talks
Weekly
Weekly discussions on questions of faith.
mitcatholic.org
MIT Thomistic Institute lectures
Monthly
Monthly lectures on current issues from a Thomistic perspective, in cooperation with the MIT Thomistic Institute chapter.
mitcatholic.org

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

MIT Tech Catholic Community

Sources (3)

MIT Tech Catholic Communitymitcatholic.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“As the official Catholic presence on the MIT campus, the Tech Catholic Community fosters unity among our international community of students and faculty”
The Tech Catholic Community states it is the official Catholic presence on the MIT campus.
“MIT Building W11-012 40 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02139 Office Phone : 617-253-2981 Email: catholic@mit.edu”
The ministry's office is MIT Building W11-012, 40 Massachusetts Avenue, with phone 617-253-2981 and email catholic@mit.edu.
Pray | MIT Tech Catholic Communitymitcatholic.org/pray · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Mondays: 6:00pm – 7:00pm (W11-Catholic Chaplain’s Office)”
Confession is listed on Mondays from 6:00 to 7:00 PM at the Catholic Chaplain's Office in W11.
Get Connected | MIT Tech Catholic Communitymitcatholic.org/get-connected · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Coffee and donuts are enjoyed after Sunday morning Masses in the Religious Activities Building (W11).”
Coffee and donuts follow Sunday morning Masses in the Religious Activities Building (W11).

Reach out

Contact details for Fr. Peter Schrirripa (Chaplain) and the campus ministry 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

100 of 100

From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

Graduation rate 35% of score96%
First-year retention 20% of score99%
Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreSAT 1,560 · ACT 35
Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of score3 to 1
Instructional spending per student 15% of score$99,057

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.

Value and outcomes
Undergraduate students Fall enrollment (IPEDS)	4,576
Total students	11,920
Average net price (per year) After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid	$20,111
Cost of attendance (per year)	$82,730
Median federal debt at graduation	$14,768
Graduation rate First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time	96%
First-year retention	99%
Median earnings 10 years after entry	$143,372
Admission rate	5%
Students receiving Pell grants	19%

Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT	1560
SAT reading & writing	740–780
SAT math	780–800
ACT composite	34–36
Test policy	Required

Value index: 81 / 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 Boston

The Most Reverend Richard G. Henning, Archbishop of Boston

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

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

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

About this school’s data

IPEDS unit ID 166683
Carnegie classification: Doctoral university (very high research)
Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (U.S. Department of Education DAPIP)
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Questions families ask

Is Massachusetts Institute of Technology a Catholic college?: No. Massachusetts Institute of Technology is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by MIT Tech Catholic Community.
What is Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Catholic Life Score?: 93 out of 100 (grade A). It measures Catholic life on campus: campus ministry, priests, Mass and confession, student groups, and nearby parishes, together with academics.
Where is Mass celebrated at Massachusetts Institute of Technology?: Mass is listed at MIT Chapel. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.
Is Massachusetts Institute of Technology Compass Recommended?: Yes. Massachusetts Institute of Technology meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic life on campus.

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