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Purdue University: 2816 px - University Hall Purdue University Fall 2006
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College · Catholic life on campus

Purdue University

  • LocationWest Lafayette, IN
  • Type and sizePublic · 4-year · 52,905 students
Official website

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

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center, at 535 W State St in West Lafayette, is the Catholic parish and Newman Center serving Purdue University and is staffed by Dominican friars of the Province of St. Albert the Great; the Dominicans list Fr. Joseph Van Havermaet, OP, as a campus minister assigned there.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Purdue University, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miSt. Thomas Aquinas: 0.3 mi1Saint Ann Church: 1.4 mi2Church of the Blessed Sacrament: 1.5 mi3Saint Boniface: 1.5 mi4Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception: 1.7 mi5Saint Lawrence Catholic Church: 2.1 mi6Purdue University (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. St. Thomas Aquinas — 0.3 mi
  2. Saint Ann Church — 1.4 mi · 612 Wabash Avenue, Lafayette
  3. Church of the Blessed Sacrament — 1.5 mi · 2224 Sacramento Drive, West Lafayette
  4. Saint Boniface — 1.5 mi · 318 North 9th Street, Lafayette
  5. Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception — 1.7 mi · 1207 Columbia Street, Lafayette
  6. Saint Lawrence Catholic Church — 2.1 mi · 1916 Meharry Street, Lafayette

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.

N/ACatholic life on campus: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Catholic life on campus

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

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic campus ministry serving this campus (Catholic center, campus ministry, or chaplaincy)Yes (The Dominican friars of the Province of St. Albert the Great describe St. Thomas Aquinas in West Lafayette as the Newman Center at Purdue University and list it among their campus ministries. Purdue's international student resource guide lists St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center and links to boilercatholics.org.)
    Sources (4)
    1. New Friars in Ministry | Dominican Vocationsopvocations.org/new-friars-in-ministry · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “I am assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas in West Lafayette, Indiana, which is the Newman Center at Purdue University.”
      A Dominican priest states that he is assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas in West Lafayette, the Newman Center at Purdue University.
    2. Where We Serve | Dominican Vocationsopvocations.org/where-we-serve · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Purdue University St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center at Purdue University engages the youthful energy of all its members to nurture their faith journey through liturgy, stewardship, and spiritual and intellectual formation.”
      The Dominicans list St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center at Purdue University among the campus ministries where they serve.
    3. Communities | Dominican Friarsopcentral.org/ministries/5 · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “The friars of this community serve the vibrant Catholic Center at Purdue University and are known for being at the call of our diocesan brothers and the diocese at large.”
      The Dominican Community of Saint Thomas Aquinas in West Lafayette serves the Catholic Center at Purdue University.
    4. Community | ISSpurdue.edu/gpp/iss/student/programming/resource-guide/community.html · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “West Lafayette is also home to community places of worship, such as The Bhartiya Temple and Culture Center, the Islamic Society of Greater Lafayette, Campus House, and St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center.”
      Purdue's international student resource guide lists St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center as a place of worship in West Lafayette.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Dedicated Catholic center or chapel on or next to campusYes (St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center, a Catholic church and Newman Center, is at 535 W State St, West Lafayette. Distance to campus is computed from the address.)
    Sources (3)
    1. New Friars in Ministry | Dominican Vocationsopvocations.org/new-friars-in-ministry · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “I am assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas in West Lafayette, Indiana, which is the Newman Center at Purdue University.”
      A Dominican priest states that he is assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas in West Lafayette, the Newman Center at Purdue University.
    2. Community | ISSpurdue.edu/gpp/iss/student/programming/resource-guide/community.html · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “West Lafayette is also home to community places of worship, such as The Bhartiya Temple and Culture Center, the Islamic Society of Greater Lafayette, Campus House, and St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center.”
      Purdue's international student resource guide lists St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center as a place of worship in West Lafayette.
    3. Resourcesag.purdue.edu/department/ipia/mandela-washington/resources.html · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center, 535 W State St, West Lafayette, IN, (765) 743-4652”
      A Purdue resource page gives the address and phone of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priest chaplain assigned to campus ministryFull-time priest chaplain (The Dominicans list Fr. Joseph Van Havermaet, OP (ordained May 2026), as a campus minister assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas, the Newman Center at Purdue, and state that the friars of the Community of Saint Thomas Aquinas serve the Catholic Center at Purdue.)
    Sources (2)
    1. New Friars in Ministry | Dominican Vocationsopvocations.org/new-friars-in-ministry · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “I am assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas in West Lafayette, Indiana, which is the Newman Center at Purdue University.”
      A Dominican priest states that he is assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas in West Lafayette, the Newman Center at Purdue University.
      “Fr. Joseph Van Havermaet, OP Campus Minister”
      The Dominicans list Fr. Joseph Van Havermaet, OP, as a campus minister.
      “My solemn profession was on August 8, 2024. I was ordained on May 16, 2026. I am really looking forward to getting to know the students at Purdue and helping them encounter Jesus in their time here.”
      Fr. Joseph, ordained a priest in May 2026, is beginning ministry with Purdue students.
    2. Communities | Dominican Friarsopcentral.org/ministries/5 · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “The friars of this community serve the vibrant Catholic Center at Purdue University and are known for being at the call of our diocesan brothers and the diocese at large.”
      The Dominican Community of Saint Thomas Aquinas in West Lafayette serves the Catholic Center at Purdue University.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Weekday Mass at the campus ministryNot 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.
    Sunday Mass at the campus ministry or a campus chapelNot 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.
    Scheduled confession at the campus ministryNot 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.
    Catholic student groups and missionary outreach (e.g., FOCUS, Saint Paul's Outreach, Knights of Columbus, Bible studies)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.
    Formation programs (retreats, OCIA/RCIA, service, small groups)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic church within walking distance (computed from OpenStreetMap)Within 1 mile of campusComputed from OpenStreetMap church locations.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Published weekly schedule of Mass, confession, and adorationNot enough information: no verified Mass times are recorded.

Grades come from the documented indicators under the published rubric. “Not enough information” does not mean the school lacks it.

Strengths

  • A community of Dominican friars serves the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center at Purdue, and the Dominicans list a priest, Fr. Joseph Van Havermaet, OP, as a campus minister assigned there.
    Sources (2)
    1. New Friars in Ministry | Dominican Vocationsopvocations.org/new-friars-in-ministry · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “I am assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas in West Lafayette, Indiana, which is the Newman Center at Purdue University.”
      A Dominican priest states that he is assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas in West Lafayette, the Newman Center at Purdue University.
      “Fr. Joseph Van Havermaet, OP Campus Minister”
      The Dominicans list Fr. Joseph Van Havermaet, OP, as a campus minister.
    2. Communities | Dominican Friarsopcentral.org/ministries/5 · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “The friars of this community serve the vibrant Catholic Center at Purdue University and are known for being at the call of our diocesan brothers and the diocese at large.”
      The Dominican Community of Saint Thomas Aquinas in West Lafayette serves the Catholic Center at Purdue University.
  • St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center, the Newman Center for Purdue, is at 535 W State St in West Lafayette and is listed on Purdue's own resource pages.
    Sources (3)
    1. New Friars in Ministry | Dominican Vocationsopvocations.org/new-friars-in-ministry · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “I am assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas in West Lafayette, Indiana, which is the Newman Center at Purdue University.”
      A Dominican priest states that he is assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas in West Lafayette, the Newman Center at Purdue University.
    2. Community | ISSpurdue.edu/gpp/iss/student/programming/resource-guide/community.html · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “West Lafayette is also home to community places of worship, such as The Bhartiya Temple and Culture Center, the Islamic Society of Greater Lafayette, Campus House, and St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center.”
      Purdue's international student resource guide lists St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center as a place of worship in West Lafayette.
    3. Resourcesag.purdue.edu/department/ipia/mandela-washington/resources.html · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center, 535 W State St, West Lafayette, IN, (765) 743-4652”
      A Purdue resource page gives the address and phone of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center.

Concerns

None recorded.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

The Catholic center

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center (St. Thomas Aquinas Parish)

  • Address: 535 W State St, West Lafayette, IN

Source: opvocations.org, verified Oct. 8, 2026, purdue.edu, verified Oct. 8, 2026, ag.purdue.edu, verified Oct. 8, 2026

Catholic campus ministry

Sources (6)
  1. New Friars in Ministry | Dominican Vocationsopvocations.org/new-friars-in-ministry · verified Oct. 8, 2026
    “I am assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas in West Lafayette, Indiana, which is the Newman Center at Purdue University.”
    A Dominican priest states that he is assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas in West Lafayette, the Newman Center at Purdue University.
    “After serving as a parochial vicar and campus minister at St. Thomas Aquinas parish at Purdue University”
    St. Thomas Aquinas is a parish at Purdue University whose Dominican priests serve as parochial vicars and campus ministers.
    “I am assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas in West Lafayette, Indiana, which is the Newman Center at Purdue University.”
    A Dominican priest states that he is assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas in West Lafayette, the Newman Center at Purdue University.
  2. Community | ISSpurdue.edu/gpp/iss/student/programming/resource-guide/community.html · verified Oct. 8, 2026
    “West Lafayette is also home to community places of worship, such as The Bhartiya Temple and Culture Center, the Islamic Society of Greater Lafayette, Campus House, and St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center.”
    Purdue's international student resource guide lists St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center as a place of worship in West Lafayette.
    “West Lafayette is also home to community places of worship, such as The Bhartiya Temple and Culture Center, the Islamic Society of Greater Lafayette, Campus House, and St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center.”
    Purdue's international student resource guide lists St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center as a place of worship in West Lafayette.
  3. Resourcesag.purdue.edu/department/ipia/mandela-washington/resources.html · verified Oct. 8, 2026
    “St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center, 535 W State St, West Lafayette, IN, (765) 743-4652”
    A Purdue resource page gives the address and phone of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center.
    “St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center, 535 W State St, West Lafayette, IN, (765) 743-4652”
    A Purdue resource page gives the address and phone of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center.
  4. Where We Serve | Dominican Vocationsopvocations.org/where-we-serve · verified Oct. 8, 2026
    “Purdue University St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center at Purdue University engages the youthful energy of all its members to nurture their faith journey through liturgy, stewardship, and spiritual and intellectual formation.”
    The Dominicans list St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center at Purdue University among the campus ministries where they serve.
  5. Communities | Dominican Friarsopcentral.org/ministries/5 · verified Oct. 8, 2026
    “The friars of this community serve the vibrant Catholic Center at Purdue University and are known for being at the call of our diocesan brothers and the diocese at large.”
    The Dominican Community of Saint Thomas Aquinas in West Lafayette serves the Catholic Center at Purdue University.
  6. St. Thomas Aquinas, Purdue | Dominican Friarsopcentral.org/node/80 · verified Oct. 8, 2026
    “Campus Ministries St. Thomas Aquinas, Purdue West Lafayette, Indiana”
    The Dominican Province of St. Albert the Great lists St. Thomas Aquinas, Purdue, among its campus ministries.

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Academic Excellence

AAcademic Excellence: 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.
90 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.83%
  • First-year retention 20% of scoreThis measure counts for 20% of the Academic Excellence score.93%
  • Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.SAT 1,364 · ACT 30.5
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.14 to 1
  • Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$20,511

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)
39,864
Total students52,905
Average net price (per year)
After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid
$14,600
Cost of attendance (per year)$24,591
Median federal debt at graduation$19,500
Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
83%
First-year retention93%
Median earnings 10 years after entry$72,424
Admission rate50%
Students receiving Pell grants13%
Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT1364
SAT reading & writing600–720
SAT math600–760
ACT composite27–34
Test policyRequired

Value index: 82 / 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 Lafayette in Indiana

The Most Reverend Timothy L. Doherty, Bishop of Lafayette in Indiana

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

Questions families ask

Is Purdue University a Catholic college?
No. Purdue University is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center.

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