
College · Catholic life on campus
Rochester Institute of Technology
- LocationRochester, NY
- Type and sizePrivate nonprofit · 4-year · 16,863 students
Rochester 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 Catholic Newman Community at RIT is the diocesan Catholic campus ministry, based in the Schmitt Interfaith Center on campus. A director and a sacramental minister and chaplain are listed on its staff page. The published schedule lists Sunday Masses at 9:15 AM (ASL interpreted) and 5:00 PM and a Wednesday Mass at 5:30 PM during the academic year, with Wednesday adoration. The ministry also lists a student executive board, a rosary group, service programs, a Stephen ministry, the OCIA process, and several retreats.
Mass, confession, and adoration
Confirm with the parish
Mass 3
- Sunday9:15 AMAllen Chapel, Schmitt Interfaith Center (ASL interpreted) · Academic year only, when classes are scheduled the following Monday.
- Sunday5:00 PMAllen Chapel, Schmitt Interfaith Center · Academic year only, when classes are scheduled the following Monday.
- Wednesday5:30 PMSchmitt Interfaith Center (pages name Jones Chapel and Allen Chapel) · Academic year only.
Adoration 1
- Wednesday4:30 PM–5:30 PMJones Chapel, Schmitt Interfaith Center · Before Wednesday Mass. The Spiritual Life page gives 4:15 to 5:15 PM; see gaps.
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)
- RIT Newman | Catholic Communityritnewman.com · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Sundays at Allen Chapel, Schmitt Interfaith Center (when classes are scheduled on the following Monday) 9:15 AM (ASL Interpreted) 5:00 PM Wednesdays at Jones Chapel, Schmitt Interfaith Center 5:30 PM”
“Sundays at Allen Chapel, Schmitt Interfaith Center (when classes are scheduled on the following Monday) 9:15 AM (ASL Interpreted) 5:00 PM Wednesdays at Jones Chapel, Schmitt Interfaith Center 5:30 PM”
“Sundays at Allen Chapel, Schmitt Interfaith Center (when classes are scheduled on the following Monday) 9:15 AM (ASL Interpreted) 5:00 PM Wednesdays at Jones Chapel, Schmitt Interfaith Center 5:30 PM”
- Eucharistic Adoration | RIT Newmanritnewman.com/mass-sacraments-prayer/eucharistic-adoration · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Weekly adoration before Wednesday mass starting at 4:30pm - 5:30pm in Jones Chapel.”
Catholic churches nearby
No Catholic churches are mapped in OpenStreetMap within 3 miles. The map may be incomplete; check the local diocese’s parish directory.
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
72 of 100 points on what we could document.
- Yes: 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 (2)
- Campus Ministry | Pastoral Services, Diocese of Rochesterps.dor.org/pastoral-services-offices-and-ministries/campuses · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) 585-475-5932 www.ritnewman.com”
- RIT Newman | Catholic Communityritnewman.com · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“The Catholic Newman Community at the Rochester Institute of Technology welcomes you to celebrate, explore, and develop your faith with us!”
- Campus Ministry | Pastoral Services, Diocese of Rochesterps.dor.org/pastoral-services-offices-and-ministries/campuses · verified Oct. 12, 2026
- Not enough information: Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.Dedicated Catholic center or chapel on or next to campusNot enough information: not found in official sources.
- Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.Priest chaplain assigned to campus ministryFull-time priest chaplain (Fr. Brian C. Cool is presented as Director at RIT since 2015. Fr. Robert Kennedy is presented as a sacramental minister and chaplain at RIT, alongside work at a motherhouse and parishes.)
Sources (1)
- Staff | RIT Newmanritnewman.com/about/staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Fr. Cool has served as Director at RIT since 2015.”
“Currently, he serves as a sacramental minister and chaplain at RIT and the Sisters of Mercy Motherhouse”
- Staff | RIT Newmanritnewman.com/about/staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
- Partly: Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.Weekday Mass at the campus ministry1–4 weekdays (Wednesday Mass at 5:30 PM is the only weekday Mass listed (one weekday), during the academic year.)
Sources (2)
- RIT Newman | Catholic Communityritnewman.com · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Sundays at Allen Chapel, Schmitt Interfaith Center (when classes are scheduled on the following Monday) 9:15 AM (ASL Interpreted) 5:00 PM Wednesdays at Jones Chapel, Schmitt Interfaith Center 5:30 PM”
- Mass Schedule | RIT Newmanritnewman.com/get-involved/spiritual-life/mass-schedule · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Mass/Liturgy at Allen Chapel Sunday at 9:15am (ASL Interpreted) Sunday at 5:00pm Wednesday at 5:30pm”
- RIT Newman | Catholic Communityritnewman.com · verified Oct. 12, 2026
- Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.Sunday Mass at the campus ministry or a campus chapelTwo or more weekend Masses (Two Sunday Masses: 9:15 AM (ASL interpreted) and 5:00 PM, during the academic year.)
Sources (3)
- RIT Newman | Catholic Communityritnewman.com · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Sundays at Allen Chapel, Schmitt Interfaith Center (when classes are scheduled on the following Monday) 9:15 AM (ASL Interpreted) 5:00 PM Wednesdays at Jones Chapel, Schmitt Interfaith Center 5:30 PM”
- Mass Schedule | RIT Newmanritnewman.com/get-involved/spiritual-life/mass-schedule · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Mass/Liturgy at Allen Chapel Sunday at 9:15am (ASL Interpreted) Sunday at 5:00pm Wednesday at 5:30pm”
- Mass Schedule | RIT Newmanritnewman.com/mass-sacraments-prayer/mass-schedule · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Join us for Mass in the Interfaith Center at 9:15am and 5pm (Academic Year only, when classes are in session the following Monday).”
- RIT Newman | Catholic Communityritnewman.com · verified Oct. 12, 2026
- Partly: Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.Scheduled confession at the campus ministryLess than weekly, or by appointment (Mercy Day of Confessions, one day in Advent and one in Lent with one or two priests available.)
Sources (1)
- Reconciliation | RIT Newmanritnewman.com/mass-sacraments-prayer/reconciliation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“during Advent and Lent, we set aside one day for Mercy Day of Confessions where we have 1-2 priests available to meet with students, staff, faculty, and local residents.”
- Reconciliation | RIT Newmanritnewman.com/mass-sacraments-prayer/reconciliation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
- Yes: 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 (Two student groups are named: the student-organized Executive Board (listed as a registered RIT student group) and a student rosary group. Students Offering Support (Stephen ministry) is also listed. No FOCUS team, Knights of Columbus council, Saint Paul's Outreach or pro-life group was found.)
Sources (3)
- List of Groups | RIT Campus Groupscampusgroups.rit.edu/NEWMAN/club_signup · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Religious & Spiritual, Councils - Interfaith Council Affiliated”
- Student Leadership | RIT Newmanritnewman.com/about/student-leadership · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“The Executive Board, shortened to E-Board, is the student-organized leadership team for the Catholic Newman Community.”
- Rosary Group | RIT Newmanritnewman.com/get-involved/spiritual-life/rosary-group · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Join us to pray the rosary as a group!”
- List of Groups | RIT Campus Groupscampusgroups.rit.edu/NEWMAN/club_signup · verified Oct. 12, 2026
- Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.Formation programs (retreats, OCIA/RCIA, service, small groups)Two or more kinds (Retreats (Kairos, Eve Away, Busy Person, Mountain Intercollegiate), the OCIA process, Alpha, and service programs (Tiger Stripes and a spring service-learning trip).)
Sources (8)
- Kairos | RIT Newmanritnewman.com/get-involved/spiritual-life/retreats/kairos · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Every year Kairos will be held each fall and each spring early in the semester.”
- Eve Away | RIT Newmanritnewman.com/get-involved/spiritual-life/retreats/eve-away · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“These evening retreats include dinner, ice breakers, team building, prayer, discussion, music, and a lot of FUN!”
- Busy Person | RIT Newmanritnewman.com/get-involved/spiritual-life/retreats/busy-person · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“A busy person retreat is an opportunity for you to spend time with one of Rochester's amazing Sisters of St. Joseph right on RIT Campus”
- Mountain Intercollegiate | RIT Newmanritnewman.com/get-involved/spiritual-life/retreats/mountain-intercollegiate · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“This Intercollegiate Retreat at Mt. Irenaeus is a perfect opportunity for fellowship, quiet, relaxation, spiritual growth, and nature!”
- Becoming Catholic / Confirmation | RIT Newmanritnewman.com/mass-sacraments-prayer/becoming-catholic-confirmation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“O. C. I. A., Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, is the process by which individuals are welcomed into the Catholic Church.”
“The O. C. I. A. process at RIT begins at the end of September.”
- Alpha | RIT Newmanritnewman.com/get-involved/spiritual-life/building-the-faith/alpha · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Alpha is a series of sessions exploring the Christian faith.”
- Tiger Stripes | RIT Newmanritnewman.com/get-involved/service/tiger-stripes · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“TigerStripes Ministry Program is a servant leadership development program”
- Service | RIT Newmanritnewman.com/get-involved/service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“a week-long service-learning trip is made every spring as an alternative to spring break”
- Kairos | RIT Newmanritnewman.com/get-involved/spiritual-life/retreats/kairos · verified Oct. 12, 2026
- No: No: the school does not offer this, so it earns no points.Catholic church within walking distance (computed from OpenStreetMap)None mapped within 3 milesComputed from OpenStreetMap church locations.
- Partly: Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.Published weekly schedule of Mass, confession, and adoration1 to 5 times a week (4 weekly times documented: 3 Mass, 0 confession, 1 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
- A director and a sacramental minister and chaplain are both listed on the staff page.
Sources (1)
- Staff | RIT Newmanritnewman.com/about/staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Fr. Cool has served as Director at RIT since 2015.”
“Currently, he serves as a sacramental minister and chaplain at RIT and the Sisters of Mercy Motherhouse”
- Staff | RIT Newmanritnewman.com/about/staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
- Sunday Masses at 9:15 AM and 5:00 PM and a Wednesday Mass are published, with Wednesday adoration before Mass.
Sources (2)
- RIT Newman | Catholic Communityritnewman.com · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Sundays at Allen Chapel, Schmitt Interfaith Center (when classes are scheduled on the following Monday) 9:15 AM (ASL Interpreted) 5:00 PM Wednesdays at Jones Chapel, Schmitt Interfaith Center 5:30 PM”
- Eucharistic Adoration | RIT Newmanritnewman.com/mass-sacraments-prayer/eucharistic-adoration · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Weekly adoration before Wednesday mass starting at 4:30pm - 5:30pm in Jones Chapel.”
- RIT Newman | Catholic Communityritnewman.com · verified Oct. 12, 2026
- Retreats, the OCIA process, Alpha and service programs are listed on the ministry's pages.
Sources (4)
- Kairos | RIT Newmanritnewman.com/get-involved/spiritual-life/retreats/kairos · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Every year Kairos will be held each fall and each spring early in the semester.”
- Becoming Catholic / Confirmation | RIT Newmanritnewman.com/mass-sacraments-prayer/becoming-catholic-confirmation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“O. C. I. A., Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, is the process by which individuals are welcomed into the Catholic Church.”
- Alpha | RIT Newmanritnewman.com/get-involved/spiritual-life/building-the-faith/alpha · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Alpha is a series of sessions exploring the Christian faith.”
- Service | RIT Newmanritnewman.com/get-involved/service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“a week-long service-learning trip is made every spring as an alternative to spring break”
- Kairos | RIT Newmanritnewman.com/get-involved/spiritual-life/retreats/kairos · verified Oct. 12, 2026
Concerns
- The published schedule lists one weekday Mass (Wednesday) and no Saturday vigil Mass.
Sources (1)
- RIT Newman | Catholic Communityritnewman.com · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Sundays at Allen Chapel, Schmitt Interfaith Center (when classes are scheduled on the following Monday) 9:15 AM (ASL Interpreted) 5:00 PM Wednesdays at Jones Chapel, Schmitt Interfaith Center 5:30 PM”
- RIT Newman | Catholic Communityritnewman.com · verified Oct. 12, 2026
- Confession is listed only one day each in Advent and Lent.
Sources (1)
- Reconciliation | RIT Newmanritnewman.com/mass-sacraments-prayer/reconciliation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“during Advent and Lent, we set aside one day for Mercy Day of Confessions where we have 1-2 priests available to meet with students, staff, faculty, and local residents.”
- Reconciliation | RIT Newmanritnewman.com/mass-sacraments-prayer/reconciliation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.
The Catholic center
Catholic Newman Community at RIT (Schmitt Interfaith Center)
- Address: 40 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, NY 14623
- Location: On campus
- Facilities: Allen Chapel, Schmitt Interfaith Center (Sunday and Wednesday Mass), Jones Chapel, Schmitt Interfaith Center (Wednesday adoration), Interfaith Chapel lower-level sacristy with a tabernacle for adoration
Source: ritnewman.com, verified Oct. 12, 2026, ritnewman.com, verified Oct. 12, 2026, ritnewman.com, verified Oct. 12, 2026
Catholic clubs and student life
14 groups and regular activities · 3 on campus, 3 off campus, 8 location not published
Retreats 4
- Mountain Intercollegiate retreatOff campusIntercollegiate retreat at Mt. Irenaeus for students from RIT and other area colleges.
- Eve Away retreatOn campusFree evening retreat on campus with dinner, prayer, discussion and music.
- Kairos retreatEach fall and spring, early in the semesterStudent retreat with food, transportation and lodging covered for the weekend; scholarships are available.
- Busy Person retreatOffered during LentIndividual retreat time with a Sister of St. Joseph, on campus or virtually.
Service 3
- Tiger StripesOff campusServant leadership and community service program that serves at Sisters of St. Joseph ministry sites and other Rochester locations, including RIT FoodShare.
- Spring service-learning tripOff campusEvery spring, in place of spring breakWeek-long service-learning trip offered each spring.
- Students Offering Support (Stephen Ministry)Student Stephen Ministers provide one-to-one care to fellow students.
Liturgy and prayer 2
- Eucharistic adorationOn campusWednesdays, 4:30 to 5:30 PMWeekly adoration in Jones Chapel before Wednesday Mass.
- Music Ministry / ChoirChoir and instrumentalists for Sunday and Wednesday Masses; students of all experience levels are invited.
Social life 1
- Coffee hour after MassOn campusCoffee hour outside after each Mass so students can meet one another.
Faith formation 3
- Rosary GroupGroup rosary prayer, with guides for students who are new to the rosary. Times and location are on the ministry calendar.
- OCIA (Becoming Catholic / Confirmation)Process begins at the end of SeptemberOrder of Christian Initiation of Adults process for people becoming Catholic or seeking confirmation.
- AlphaSessions exploring the Christian faith with a shared meal, a video and discussion.
Clubs and groups 1
- Catholic Newman Community Executive BoardStudent-organized leadership team that organizes Newman events, liturgies and fundraising, and is a registered RIT student group.
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)
- Campus Ministry | Pastoral Services, Diocese of Rochesterps.dor.org/pastoral-services-offices-and-ministries/campuses · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) 585-475-5932 www.ritnewman.com”
- RIT Newman | Catholic Communityritnewman.com · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“The Catholic Newman Community at the Rochester Institute of Technology welcomes you to celebrate, explore, and develop your faith with us!”
“The Catholic Newman Community at the Rochester Institute of Technology welcomes you to celebrate, explore, and develop your faith with us!”
- Contact | RIT Newmanritnewman.com/contact · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Schmitt Interfaith Center (RIT) 40 Lomb Memorial Drive Rochester, NY 14623 (585) 475-5932”
- Mass, Sacraments, & Prayer | RIT Newmanritnewman.com/mass-sacraments-prayer · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“You are welcome to visit our sacristy, Lower Level, Interfaith Chapel; we have there a special tabernacle that allows you to expose the Blessed Sacrament yourself.”
Reach out
Contact details for Rev. Brian C. Cool, EdD (Director) and 7 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.
We keep campus ministers’ emails behind sign-in to protect them from spam.
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Academic Excellence
Each measure counts for the share shown.
- Graduation rate 35% of scoreThis measure counts for 35% of the Academic Excellence score.70%
- First-year retention 20% of scoreThis measure counts for 20% of the Academic Excellence score.89%
- Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.SAT 1,383 · ACT 31
- Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.13 to 1
- Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$21,369
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) | 14,076 |
|---|---|
| Total students | 16,863 |
| Average net price (per year) After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid | $34,906 |
| Cost of attendance (per year) | $74,626 |
| Median federal debt at graduation | $26,778 |
| Graduation rate First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time | 70% |
| First-year retention | 89% |
| Median earnings 10 years after entry | $76,571 |
| Admission rate | 67% |
| Students receiving Pell grants | 27% |
| Average SAT | 1383 |
|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 650–720 |
| SAT math | 650–740 |
| ACT composite | 29–33 |
| Test policy | Considered but not required |
Value index: 52 / 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
The Most Reverend John S. Bonnici, Bishop of Rochester
Formal address: “Your Excellency”
Source: dor.org, dor.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 195003
- 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 Rochester Institute of Technology a Catholic college?
- No. Rochester Institute of Technology is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by Catholic Newman Community at RIT.
- What is Rochester Institute of Technology’s Catholic Life Score?
- 75 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 Rochester Institute of Technology?
- Mass is listed at Allen Chapel, Schmitt Interfaith Center (ASL interpreted), Allen Chapel, Schmitt Interfaith Center, and Schmitt Interfaith Center (pages name Jones Chapel and Allen Chapel). Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.
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