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Saint Joseph's College of Maine: St joseph college st catherine hall postcard
Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Catholic college

Saint Joseph's College of Maine

  • LocationStandish, ME
  • Type and sizePrivate nonprofit · 4-year · 1,463 students
  • SponsorSisters of Mercy of the Americas
  • TraditionMercy
Official website

Saint Joseph's College of Maine is a Catholic college in Standish, Maine, sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy. The Mercy Center campus ministry runs a multi-faith prayer space, a Catholic chaplain's office, retreats, and service programs, and Healy Chapel is open to visitors. Mass and confession times are published only in an embedded calendar that could not be used for this record.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Saint Joseph's College of Maine, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miOur Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church: 2.4 mi1Mercy Center (Campus Ministry): 0.2 miSaint Joseph's College of Maine (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church — 2.4 mi · 919 Roosevelt Trail, Windham

Within 3 miles, as mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors. The map may be incomplete. Confirm with the parish or diocese.

Faith 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/ASacramental life: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Sacramental life

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

  • 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 on campus during the academic yearNot 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 on campus (including Saturday vigil)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Scheduled confession on campusLess than weekly, or by appointment only (Sacrament of Reconciliation is confirmed on the prayer and worship page; its frequency appears only in an embedded calendar.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Prayer and Worship Schedule | Saint Joseph's College of Mainesjcme.edu/life-at-sjc/campus-ministry/prayer-worship-schedule · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Sacrament of Reconciliation See Google Calendar schedule above”
      The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered; its times are listed in a separate calendar.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Eucharistic adorationNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priests serving studentsAt least one full-time priest chaplain (or a resident community of priests serving campus ministry) (The page presents Father Patrick J. Finn as the College's chaplain.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Prayer and Worship Schedule | Saint Joseph's College of Mainesjcme.edu/life-at-sjc/campus-ministry/prayer-worship-schedule · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Father Patrick J. Finn, Chaplain”
      Father Patrick J. Finn is the College's chaplain.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Chapel open for prayer on campusYes
    Sources (1)
    1. Prayer and Worship Schedule | Saint Joseph's College of Mainesjcme.edu/life-at-sjc/campus-ministry/prayer-worship-schedule · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Visitors from off campus are welcome to join us for Mass or to pray in the chapel!”
      Healy Chapel is open to visitors for Mass and prayer.
  • 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.
N/ATheology and core curriculum: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Theology and core curriculum

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

  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Theology or religious studies courses required of all bachelor's studentsNot 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.
    Required theology includes explicitly Catholic content (Scripture, Catholic tradition, sacraments)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.
    Philosophy courses required of all bachelor's studentsNot 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.
    Core curriculum explicitly draws on the Catholic intellectual traditionNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Theology or religious studies major offeredYes (The Theology Major, BA is listed as an online undergraduate program.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Theology Programs | Saint Joseph's College of Mainesjcme.edu/theology · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Theology Major, BA”
      A Theology major (BA) is offered, listed as an online undergraduate program.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Publicly affirms Ex Corde Ecclesiae in mission or governance documentsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
N/ACampus culture and residence life: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Campus culture and residence life

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

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Campus ministry staffing (chaplains, ministers, and professional staff)Two to four (2 professional staff listed: the chaplain and the Director of Mercy Center.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Prayer and Worship Schedule | Saint Joseph's College of Mainesjcme.edu/life-at-sjc/campus-ministry/prayer-worship-schedule · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Father Patrick J. Finn, Chaplain”
      Father Patrick J. Finn is the College's chaplain.
    2. Campus Ministry | Mercy Center | Saint Joseph's College of Mainesjcme.edu/life-at-sjc/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Kathryn Cody Russell Director of Mercy Center 207-893-7794 kcody@sjcme.edu”
      Kathryn Cody Russell is Director of the Mercy Center.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Retreats offered to students each yearFour or more distinct retreats (Four retreats are listed as offered to students: the New England Catholic College Retreat, the Maine Colleges Retreat, the First-Year Retreat, and the Mercy Farm Justice Ecological Retreat. A fifth, the Service Leadership Retreat, is by invitation only and not counted.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Mercy Center | Saint Joseph's College of Mainesjcme.edu/life-at-sjc/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “New England Catholic College Retreat: Held every year, in fall and spring.”
      A New England Catholic College Retreat is held each fall and spring.
      “Maine Colleges Retreat: Offered twice a year”
      A Maine Colleges Retreat is offered twice a year.
      “Mercy Farm Justice Ecological Retreat”
      The Mercy Farm Justice Ecological Retreat is listed among retreats offered.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Catholic student organizations and faith-formation groupsOne or two (One peer faith-sharing group is listed. RCIA and inquiry sessions are formation programs and are not counted.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Mercy Center | Saint Joseph's College of Mainesjcme.edu/life-at-sjc/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Peer group faith sharing designed to promote growth in discipleship.”
      A peer faith-sharing group is offered through campus ministry.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Single-sex residence optionsNot 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.
    Overnight guest policy in residence hallsNot 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.
    Faith life in residence halls (hall chaplains, hall Masses, or faith-based living communities)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.
    Office or senior officer for mission and Catholic identityNot enough information: not found in official sources.
AService and Catholic social teaching: 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.

Service and Catholic social teaching

88 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Service or volunteer centerYes (The Mercy Center runs a staffed volunteer and service program.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Mercy Center | Saint Joseph's College of Mainesjcme.edu/life-at-sjc/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Mercy Center provides students with many opportunities to give back and volunteer in local and international communities.”
      The Mercy Center offers volunteer and service opportunities to students.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Service-learning or community engagement in the curriculumAvailable (courses or programs) (Community-based learning and service learning are offered through courses.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Community-Based Service Learning | Saint Joseph's College of Mainesjcme.edu/academics/oncampus/programs/community-based-learning · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “100% of Students are Engaged in Community-based Learning”
      Community-based learning and service learning are offered through courses.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Catholic social teaching in the curriculum (course, minor, center, or core requirement)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Pro-life engagement (student pro-life group, support for pregnant and parenting students, or institutional initiatives)Two or more (Two programs are described: sponsorship of March for Life participants and local activities that assist women facing a crisis pregnancy.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Respect Life | Saint Joseph's College of Mainesjcme.edu/life-at-sjc/community-service/respect-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “sponsoring participants in the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., as well as local activities that assist women facing a crisis pregnancy”
      Campus Ministry sponsors March for Life participation and local crisis pregnancy support.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersion trips, poverty, migration, or care-for-creation initiatives)Two or more (Spring Break Workfest, international service trips to Haiti and Guatemala, and the Mercy Farm Justice Ecological Retreat are listed.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Service Trips | Saint Joseph's College of Mainesjcme.edu/life-at-sjc/community-service/service-trips · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “During Spring Break, SJC students participate in week-long programs serving the underprivileged in locations across the U.S.”
      Spring Break Workfest serves the underprivileged at sites across the U.S.
      “The annual service trips to Haiti and Guatemala, taken during semester break in either December or January”
      Annual international service trips to Haiti and Guatemala are offered.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Service explicitly rooted in the Catholic mission (run with campus ministry or the mission office, or framed by Catholic social teaching)Yes (Service programs are run through the Mercy Center campus ministry.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Social Justice | Saint Joseph's College of Mainesjcme.edu/life-at-sjc/community-service/social-justice · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “through various activities sponsored or supported by the Mercy Center”
      Service and justice activities are run through the Mercy Center.

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

Strengths

  • Healy Chapel is open to visitors from off campus for Mass and prayer.
    Sources (1)
    1. Prayer and Worship Schedule | Saint Joseph's College of Mainesjcme.edu/life-at-sjc/campus-ministry/prayer-worship-schedule · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Visitors from off campus are welcome to join us for Mass or to pray in the chapel!”
      Healy Chapel is open to visitors for Mass and prayer.
  • Four retreats are listed for students, including a fall and spring New England Catholic College Retreat.
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Mercy Center | Saint Joseph's College of Mainesjcme.edu/life-at-sjc/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “New England Catholic College Retreat: Held every year, in fall and spring.”
      A New England Catholic College Retreat is held each fall and spring.
      “Maine Colleges Retreat: Offered twice a year”
      A Maine Colleges Retreat is offered twice a year.
      “Mercy Farm Justice Ecological Retreat”
      The Mercy Farm Justice Ecological Retreat is listed among retreats offered.
  • Service and justice programs include March for Life participation, annual international trips to Haiti and Guatemala, and Spring Break Workfest.
    Sources (2)
    1. Respect Life | Saint Joseph's College of Mainesjcme.edu/life-at-sjc/community-service/respect-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “sponsoring participants in the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., as well as local activities that assist women facing a crisis pregnancy”
      Campus Ministry sponsors March for Life participation and local crisis pregnancy support.
    2. Student Service Trips | Saint Joseph's College of Mainesjcme.edu/life-at-sjc/community-service/service-trips · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “During Spring Break, SJC students participate in week-long programs serving the underprivileged in locations across the U.S.”
      Spring Break Workfest serves the underprivileged at sites across the U.S.
      “The annual service trips to Haiti and Guatemala, taken during semester break in either December or January”
      Annual international service trips to Haiti and Guatemala are offered.

Concerns

  • They appear only in an embedded calendar.
    Sources (1)
    1. Prayer and Worship Schedule | Saint Joseph's College of Mainesjcme.edu/life-at-sjc/campus-ministry/prayer-worship-schedule · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “All Masses are held in the Healy Chapel on the ground floor of the Margaret H. Heffernan Center.”
      All Masses on campus are held in Healy Chapel.
      “Sacrament of Reconciliation See Google Calendar schedule above”
      The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered; its times are listed in a separate calendar.
  • Two professional campus ministry staff are listed.
    Sources (2)
    1. Prayer and Worship Schedule | Saint Joseph's College of Mainesjcme.edu/life-at-sjc/campus-ministry/prayer-worship-schedule · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Father Patrick J. Finn, Chaplain”
      Father Patrick J. Finn is the College's chaplain.
    2. Campus Ministry | Mercy Center | Saint Joseph's College of Mainesjcme.edu/life-at-sjc/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Kathryn Cody Russell Director of Mercy Center 207-893-7794 kcody@sjcme.edu”
      Kathryn Cody Russell is Director of the Mercy Center.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Mercy Center (Campus Ministry)

  • Address: 278 Whites Bridge Road, Standish, ME 04084
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: Healy Chapel, Multi-Faith Room

View on map ↗

Source: sjcme.edu, verified Oct. 12, 2026, sjcme.edu, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

13 groups and regular activities · 2 on campus, 3 off campus, 8 location not published

Service 4

  • March for Life participationOff campus
    Annual
    Campus ministry sponsors participants in the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C.
    sjcme.edu
  • Spring Break WorkfestOff campus
    Spring Break
    Week-long programs serving the underprivileged at sites in New York, Vermont, and Kentucky.
    sjcme.edu
  • International service trips to Haiti and GuatemalaOff campus
    December or January
    Annual service trips during semester break.
    sjcme.edu
  • Crisis pregnancy support activities
    Local activities that assist women facing a crisis pregnancy, including fundraising and donations.
    sjcme.edu

Liturgy and prayer 3

  • Mass in Healy ChapelOn campus
    Masses are held in Healy Chapel. Times are published in an embedded calendar that could not be used for this record.
    sjcme.edu
  • Healy Chapel visiting hours for prayerOn campus
    Visitors from off campus are welcome to join Mass or pray in the chapel.
    sjcme.edu
  • Sacrament of Reconciliation
    Offered by the campus ministry.
    sjcme.edu

Faith formation 2

  • Small Group faith sharing
    Peer group faith sharing designed to promote growth in discipleship.
    sjcme.edu
  • RCIA
    Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults for students seeking full membership in the Catholic Church.
    sjcme.edu

Retreats 4

  • New England Catholic College Retreat
    Fall and spring
    Retreat held every year in fall and spring.
    sjcme.edu
  • Maine Colleges Retreat
    Twice a year
    Overnight or weekend retreat with students from Newman Centers of Maine colleges.
    sjcme.edu
  • First-Year Retreat
    Retreat listed on the campus ministry page.
    sjcme.edu
  • Mercy Farm Justice Ecological Retreat
    Justice and ecology retreat listed on the campus ministry page.
    sjcme.edu

Everything listed is published by the school, its campus ministry, or the parish. Ask the campus minister what’s happening this semester.

Campus ministry

Sources (2)
  1. Campus Ministry | Mercy Center | Saint Joseph's College of Mainesjcme.edu/life-at-sjc/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “The Mercy Center is located on the second floor of the Heffernan Center, and the Healy Chapel is located on the first floor.”
    The Mercy Center and Healy Chapel are on campus in the Heffernan Center.
    “Kathryn Cody Russell Director of Mercy Center 207-893-7794 kcody@sjcme.edu”
    Kathryn Cody Russell is Director of the Mercy Center.
    “The Mercy Center is located on the second floor of the Heffernan Center, and the Healy Chapel is located on the first floor.”
    The Mercy Center and Healy Chapel are on campus in the Heffernan Center.
  2. Contact Us | Saint Joseph's College of Mainesjcme.edu/about-us/contact-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “278 Whites Bridge Road Standish, Maine 04084”
    The College's campus address is 278 Whites Bridge Road, Standish, Maine 04084.

Reach out

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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.
65 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.66%
  • First-year retention 20% of scoreThis measure counts for 20% of the Academic Excellence score.75%
  • Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.SAT 1,040
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.10 to 1
  • Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$7,460

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)
1,059
Total students1,463
Average net price (per year)
After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid
$27,555
Cost of attendance (per year)$59,782
Median federal debt at graduation$27,000
Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
66%
First-year retention75%
Median earnings 10 years after entry$59,045
Admission rate84%
Students receiving Pell grants24%
Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT1040
SAT reading & writing500–590
SAT math460–560
ACT composite—
Test policyConsidered but not required

Value index: 47 / 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 Portland in Maine

The Most Reverend James Ruggieri, Bishop of Portland in Maine

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Source: usccb.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 161518
  • Carnegie classification: Master's university (larger programs)
  • Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (U.S. Department of Education DAPIP)
  • Religious affiliation (IPEDS): Roman Catholic
  • Report an error or a newer source
  • Respond as this school

Questions families ask

Is Saint Joseph's College of Maine a Catholic college?
Yes. Saint Joseph's College of Maine is a Catholic college in the Diocese of Portland in Maine. Its sponsor is Sisters of Mercy of the Americas.

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