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Northwest Missouri State University: Drone-admin-building-fall2018-tw-01674
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College · Catholic life on campus

Northwest Missouri State University

  • LocationMaryville, MO
  • Type and sizePublic · 4-year · 9,664 students
Official website

Northwest Missouri State 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 Newman Catholic Center at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville is a ministry of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. Its website lists a chaplain, a campus ministry director, Mass on Sunday and Monday through Thursday during the school year, a Wednesday confession time, FOCUS missionaries, Bible studies, retreats, and OCIA.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 3

  • Monday, Wednesday, Thursday5:30 PMNewman Chapel · During the school year only.
  • Tuesday7:30 PMNewman Chapel · During the school year only.
  • Sunday5:30 PMNewman Chapel · During the school year only.

Confession 1

  • Wednesday5:00 PMNewman Chapel · Listed as Confession/Rosary before the 5:30 PM Mass.

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. Sacraments | Northwest Catholicnwmissouricatholic.com/sacraments · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Sunday 5:30 pm Monday 5:30 pm Tuesday 7:30 pm Wednesday 5:30 pm Thursday 5:30 pm”
    The Newman Catholic Center lists Mass on Sunday at 5:30 pm and on Monday through Thursday at the times shown.
    “Sunday 5:30 pm Monday 5:30 pm Tuesday 7:30 pm Wednesday 5:30 pm Thursday 5:30 pm”
    The Newman Catholic Center lists Mass on Sunday at 5:30 pm and on Monday through Thursday at the times shown.
    “Sunday 5:30 pm Monday 5:30 pm Tuesday 7:30 pm Wednesday 5:30 pm Thursday 5:30 pm”
    The Newman Catholic Center lists Mass on Sunday at 5:30 pm and on Monday through Thursday at the times shown.
  2. Get Involved | Northwest Catholicnwmissouricatholic.com/get-involved · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “5:00 pm Confession/Rosary (Chapel), 5:30 pm Mass (Chapel)”
    On Wednesdays, confession and Rosary are at 5:00 pm in the chapel, followed by Mass at 5:30 pm.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Northwest Missouri State University, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches0.25 mi0.5 mi1 miSaint Gregory's Barbarigo Catholic Church: 1.1 mi1The Newman Catholic Center: 0.2 miNorthwest Missouri State University (campus)N0.25 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Saint Gregory's Barbarigo Catholic Church — 1.1 mi · 333 South Davis Street, Maryville

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.

BCatholic life on campus: 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.

Catholic life on campus

83 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • 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)
    1. Who Are We | Northwest Catholicnwmissouricatholic.com/who-are-we · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “A Ministry of the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City - St. Joseph”
      The Newman Catholic Center is a ministry of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph.
      “Max Pawlowski Director of Campus Ministry (660) 541-0621 newman@nwmissouri.edu”
      Max Pawlowski is listed as Director of Campus Ministry, with a published phone and email.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Dedicated Catholic center or chapel on or next to campusYes (The Newman Catholic Center is listed at 606 College Ave., across the street from the Mabel Cook Visitor Center.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Who Are We | Northwest Catholicnwmissouricatholic.com/who-are-we · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “606 College Ave. Maryville, MO 64468”
      The Newman Catholic Center's published address is 606 College Ave., Maryville, MO 64468.
      “Right across the street from the Mabel Cook Visitor Center”
      The Newman Catholic Center is across the street from the Mabel Cook Visitor Center.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priest chaplain assigned to campus ministryFull-time priest chaplain (Fr.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Who Are We | Northwest Catholicnwmissouricatholic.com/who-are-we · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. Albert Bruecken, O.S.B Chaplain”
      Fr. Albert Bruecken, O.S.B. is listed as the Newman Catholic Center's chaplain.
  • 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 Monday through Thursday, during the school year only.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Sacraments | Northwest Catholicnwmissouricatholic.com/sacraments · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Sunday 5:30 pm Monday 5:30 pm Tuesday 7:30 pm Wednesday 5:30 pm Thursday 5:30 pm”
      The Newman Catholic Center lists Mass on Sunday at 5:30 pm and on Monday through Thursday at the times shown.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Sunday Mass at the campus ministry or a campus chapelOne weekend Mass (One Sunday Mass is listed, at 5:30 pm.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Sacraments | Northwest Catholicnwmissouricatholic.com/sacraments · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Sunday 5:30 pm Monday 5:30 pm Tuesday 7:30 pm Wednesday 5:30 pm Thursday 5:30 pm”
      The Newman Catholic Center lists Mass on Sunday at 5:30 pm and on Monday through Thursday at the times shown.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Scheduled confession at the campus ministryWeekly or more often (Confession is offered 30 minutes before each Mass, and a Wednesday confession time is listed at 5:00 pm.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Sacraments | Northwest Catholicnwmissouricatholic.com/sacraments · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Thirty minutes before each Mass and by asking a priest anytime.”
      Confession is offered thirty minutes before each Mass, and at other times by asking a priest.
    2. Get Involved | Northwest Catholicnwmissouricatholic.com/get-involved · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “5:00 pm Confession/Rosary (Chapel), 5:30 pm Mass (Chapel)”
      On Wednesdays, confession and Rosary are at 5:00 pm in the chapel, followed by Mass at 5:30 pm.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic student groups and missionary outreach (e.g., FOCUS, Saint Paul's Outreach, Knights of Columbus, Bible studies)Two or more (FOCUS missionaries and weekly men's and women's Bible studies are listed.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Get Involved | Northwest Catholicnwmissouricatholic.com/get-involved · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Men's and Women's weekly small group Bible studies meet at various times and locations to grow in faith and fellowship.”
      The Newman Catholic Center offers weekly men's and women's small group Bible studies.
    2. FOCUS Team | Northwest Catholicnwmissouricatholic.com/focus-team · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “FOCUS stands for Fellowship of Catholic University Students. We currently have four FOCUS Missionaries at Northwest. They lead Bible Studies and discipleship”
      Four FOCUS missionaries serve at Northwest and lead Bible studies.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Formation programs (retreats, OCIA/RCIA, service, small groups)Two or more kinds (Retreats, a spring break mission trip, and OCIA are listed.)
    Sources (3)
    1. Retreats | Northwest Catholicnwmissouricatholic.com/retreats · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Sign up for a three-day experience of friendship, prayer, and transformation.”
      The Newman Catholic Center offers the Camino retreat, a three-day experience of friendship and prayer.
    2. Get Involved | Northwest Catholicnwmissouricatholic.com/get-involved · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “such as Camino and Men's and Women's retreats, Spring Break trips, and more.”
      Students are offered retreats and Spring Break trips through the Newman Catholic Center.
    3. Become Catholic | Northwest Catholicnwmissouricatholic.com/become-catholic · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “to join the Catholic Church through the OCIA Process (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)”
      The Newman Catholic Center offers the OCIA process for students who want to join the Catholic Church or receive sacraments.
  • 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: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Published weekly schedule of Mass, confession, and adoration6 to 11 times a week (6 weekly times documented: 5 Mass, 1 confession, 0 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

  • The Newman Catholic Center lists a chaplain, a campus ministry director, and a published phone and email.
    Sources (1)
    1. Who Are We | Northwest Catholicnwmissouricatholic.com/who-are-we · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. Albert Bruecken, O.S.B Chaplain”
      Fr. Albert Bruecken, O.S.B. is listed as the Newman Catholic Center's chaplain.
      “Max Pawlowski Director of Campus Ministry (660) 541-0621 newman@nwmissouri.edu”
      Max Pawlowski is listed as Director of Campus Ministry, with a published phone and email.
  • Mass is listed on four weekdays and on Sunday, and a Wednesday confession time is published.
    Sources (2)
    1. Sacraments | Northwest Catholicnwmissouricatholic.com/sacraments · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Sunday 5:30 pm Monday 5:30 pm Tuesday 7:30 pm Wednesday 5:30 pm Thursday 5:30 pm”
      The Newman Catholic Center lists Mass on Sunday at 5:30 pm and on Monday through Thursday at the times shown.
    2. Get Involved | Northwest Catholicnwmissouricatholic.com/get-involved · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “5:00 pm Confession/Rosary (Chapel), 5:30 pm Mass (Chapel)”
      On Wednesdays, confession and Rosary are at 5:00 pm in the chapel, followed by Mass at 5:30 pm.
  • FOCUS missionaries, Bible studies, retreats, OCIA, and a spring break mission trip are listed.
    Sources (4)
    1. Get Involved | Northwest Catholicnwmissouricatholic.com/get-involved · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Men's and Women's weekly small group Bible studies meet at various times and locations to grow in faith and fellowship.”
      The Newman Catholic Center offers weekly men's and women's small group Bible studies.
      “such as Camino and Men's and Women's retreats, Spring Break trips, and more.”
      Students are offered retreats and Spring Break trips through the Newman Catholic Center.
    2. FOCUS Team | Northwest Catholicnwmissouricatholic.com/focus-team · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “FOCUS stands for Fellowship of Catholic University Students. We currently have four FOCUS Missionaries at Northwest. They lead Bible Studies and discipleship”
      Four FOCUS missionaries serve at Northwest and lead Bible studies.
    3. Retreats | Northwest Catholicnwmissouricatholic.com/retreats · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Sign up for a three-day experience of friendship, prayer, and transformation.”
      The Newman Catholic Center offers the Camino retreat, a three-day experience of friendship and prayer.
    4. Become Catholic | Northwest Catholicnwmissouricatholic.com/become-catholic · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “to join the Catholic Church through the OCIA Process (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)”
      The Newman Catholic Center offers the OCIA process for students who want to join the Catholic Church or receive sacraments.

Concerns

  • Only one Sunday Mass is listed.
    Sources (1)
    1. Sacraments | Northwest Catholicnwmissouricatholic.com/sacraments · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Sunday 5:30 pm Monday 5:30 pm Tuesday 7:30 pm Wednesday 5:30 pm Thursday 5:30 pm”
      The Newman Catholic Center lists Mass on Sunday at 5:30 pm and on Monday through Thursday at the times shown.
  • Confession has one listed clock time, Wednesday at 5:00 pm; other confession times are given only as 30 minutes before each Mass.
    Sources (2)
    1. Sacraments | Northwest Catholicnwmissouricatholic.com/sacraments · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Thirty minutes before each Mass and by asking a priest anytime.”
      Confession is offered thirty minutes before each Mass, and at other times by asking a priest.
    2. Get Involved | Northwest Catholicnwmissouricatholic.com/get-involved · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “5:00 pm Confession/Rosary (Chapel), 5:30 pm Mass (Chapel)”
      On Wednesdays, confession and Rosary are at 5:00 pm in the chapel, followed by Mass at 5:30 pm.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

The Catholic center

The Newman Catholic Center

  • Address: 606 College Ave., Maryville, MO 64468
  • Location: Next to campus
  • Distance from campus: 0.2 mi (straight line from the campus point in federal IPEDS data)
  • Facilities: chapel, kitchen, main area for dinners

View on map ↗

Source: nwmissouricatholic.com, verified Oct. 12, 2026, nwmissouricatholic.com, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

11 groups and regular activities · 0 on campus, 3 off campus, 8 location not published

Retreats 4

  • Camino retreatOff campus
    October 2-4, 2026 (listed)
    Three-day retreat of friendship and prayer at Camp Catron in Nebraska City.
    nwmissouricatholic.com, nwmissouricatholic.com
  • Leaders RetreatOff campus
    August 2027 (listed)
    Pre-year retreat for disciples and leaders at Conception Abbey.
    nwmissouricatholic.com
  • SEEK26Off campus
    January 1-5, 2027
    FOCUS national Catholic conference in Columbus, Ohio, which the Newman Center promotes.
    nwmissouricatholic.com
  • Men's and women's retreats
    Retreats for the men and women of the Newman Center, held at varying places each year.
    nwmissouricatholic.com

Faith formation 2

  • FOCUS missionaries and Bible studies
    FOCUS missionaries lead Bible studies and discipleship. Men's and women's small group Bible studies meet weekly.
    nwmissouricatholic.com, nwmissouricatholic.com
  • OCIA
    Order of Christian Initiation of Adults process for students who want to join the Catholic Church or receive the sacraments.
    nwmissouricatholic.com

Liturgy and prayer 1

  • Fanning the Flame prayer gathering
    Wednesdays at 4 PM
    Weekly prayer gathering in the Upper Room at Newman for the Newman Center, the campus, and the Church.
    nwmissouricatholic.com

Other 1

  • Frassati and Guadalupe houses
    Houses where a limited number of Catholic men and women affiliated with the Newman Center live together.
    nwmissouricatholic.com

Service 1

  • Spring Break FOCUS mission trip
    Spring break mission trips are offered through the Newman Center; details were listed as coming.
    nwmissouricatholic.com

Social life 1

  • Newman Night and free dinner
    Wednesdays; confession and Rosary at 5:00 PM, Mass at 5:30 PM, dinner at 6:00 PM
    Weekly evening with confession, Mass, a free home-cooked dinner, and fellowship.
    nwmissouricatholic.com, nwmissouricatholic.com

Sports and recreation 1

  • Newman intramural sports teams
    Several intramural sports teams are run by the Newman Center.
    nwmissouricatholic.com

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 (1)
  1. Who Are We | Northwest Catholicnwmissouricatholic.com/who-are-we · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “A Ministry of the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City - St. Joseph”
    The Newman Catholic Center is a ministry of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph.
    “606 College Ave. Maryville, MO 64468”
    The Newman Catholic Center's published address is 606 College Ave., Maryville, MO 64468.
    “606 College Ave. Maryville, MO 64468”
    The Newman Catholic Center's published address is 606 College Ave., Maryville, MO 64468.
    “Right across the street from the Mabel Cook Visitor Center”
    The Newman Catholic Center is across the street from the Mabel Cook Visitor Center.

Reach out

Contact details for Max Pawlowski (Director of Campus Ministry) and 2 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

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Academic Excellence

CAcademic Excellence: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
57 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.54%
  • First-year retention 20% of scoreThis measure counts for 20% of the Academic Excellence score.74%
  • Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.SAT 1,119 · ACT 21.5
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.16 to 1
  • Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$7,192

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)
5,599
Total students9,664
Average net price (per year)
After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid
$16,244
Cost of attendance (per year)$24,945
Median federal debt at graduation$21,500
Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
54%
First-year retention74%
Median earnings 10 years after entry$47,885
Admission rate86%
Students receiving Pell grants27%
Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT1119
SAT reading & writing478–593
SAT math498–600
ACT composite19–24
Test policyConsidered but not required

Value index: 53 / 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 Kansas City-St. Joseph

The Most Reverend James V. Johnston Jr., Bishop of Kansas City-St. Joseph

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

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

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Northwest Missouri State University a Catholic college?
No. Northwest Missouri State University is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by the Newman Catholic Center.
What is Northwest Missouri State University’s Catholic Life Score?
77 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 Northwest Missouri State University?
Mass is listed at Newman Chapel. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.

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