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Sam Houston State University: Austin hall huntsville tx 2014
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College · Catholic life on campus

Sam Houston State University

  • LocationHuntsville, TX
  • Type and sizePublic · 4-year · 21,403 students
Official website

Sam Houston 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 Catholic Student Center at Sam Houston State University, part of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston's campus ministry, is located at 1310 17th Street in Huntsville. Its published schedule lists a Thursday Mass in St. Catherine's Chapel at the center, while Sunday Mass and weekly confession are at St. Thomas the Apostle parish next door. The center also lists a Saturday Bible study, small groups, Sunday supper, and the Bearkat Awakening retreat.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 7

  • Tuesday–Friday8:30 AMSt. Thomas the Apostle (parish, next door) · Listed on the Mass page. Monday has no Mass.
  • Saturday5:30 PMSt. Thomas the Apostle (parish, next door) · Anticipated Mass.
  • Sunday7:45 AMSt. Thomas the Apostle (parish, next door)
  • Sunday10:45 AMSt. Thomas the Apostle (parish, next door)
  • Sunday12:30 PMSt. Thomas the Apostle (parish, next door) · In Spanish.
  • Sunday5:30 PMSt. Thomas the Apostle (parish, next door) · Student Mass, during the semester.
Show 1 more mass times
  • Thursday6:15 PMSt. Catherine's Chapel at the Catholic Student Center

Confession 2

  • Tuesday, Saturday4:00 PM–5:00 PMSt. Thomas the Apostle (parish, next door)
  • Thursday5:00 PM–5:55 PMSt. Thomas the Apostle (parish, next door)

Adoration 2

  • Wednesday4:30 PM–6:00 PMSt. Catherine's Chapel at the Catholic Student Center
  • Tuesday9:00 AM–11:00 AMSt. Thomas the Apostle (parish, next door)

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 (4)
  1. Mass | Shsucatholicshsucatholic.org/mass · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Tuesday - Friday - 8:30AM at St. Thomas the Apostle”
    Weekday Mass is listed at 8:30 AM Tuesday through Friday at St. Thomas the Apostle.
    “Saturday Anticipated Mass - 5:30PM at St. Thomas the Apostle”
    A Saturday anticipated Mass is listed at 5:30 PM at St. Thomas the Apostle.
    “7:45AM at St. Thomas the Apostle”
    A Sunday Mass is listed at 7:45 AM at St. Thomas the Apostle.
    “10:45AM at St. Thomas the Apostle”
    A Sunday Mass is listed at 10:45 AM at St. Thomas the Apostle.
    “12:30PM at St. Thomas the Apostle in Spanish”
    A Spanish-language Sunday Mass is listed at 12:30 PM at St. Thomas the Apostle.
    “5:30PM Student Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle (During the semester)”
    A student Mass is listed at 5:30 PM on Sundays during the semester at St. Thomas the Apostle.
    “Thursday at 6:15 PM in St. Catherine's Chapel at the CSC”
    A Thursday Mass is listed at 6:15 PM in St. Catherine's Chapel at the Catholic Student Center.
  2. Reconciliation | Shsucatholicshsucatholic.org/reconciliation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Tuesdays and Saturdays from 4PM to 5PM”
    Confession is listed on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 4 to 5 PM.
    “Thursday from 5PM to 5:55PM”
    Confession is listed on Thursdays from 5 to 5:55 PM.
  3. What's Happening at the Catholic Student Center? | Shsucatholicshsucatholic.org/schedule-1 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “4:30PM - 6:00PM - Adoration in St. Catherine's Chapel”
    Adoration is listed on Wednesdays from 4:30 to 6:00 PM in St. Catherine's Chapel at the center.
  4. Eucharistic Adoration | Shsucatholicshsucatholic.org/adoration · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Adoration at St. Thomas the Apostle - Tuesday from 9am to 11am”
    Adoration is listed on Tuesdays from 9 to 11 AM at St. Thomas the Apostle.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Sam Houston State University, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches0.25 mi0.5 miCatholic Student Center at SHSU (Bearkat Katholic): 0.4 miSam Houston State University (campus)N0.1 mi
CampusCatholic centerOpen a street map ›

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.

CCatholic life on campus: 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.

Catholic life on campus

65 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 (2)
    1. University Campus Ministry | Archdiocese of Galveston-Houstonarchgh.org/campusministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Bearkat Katholic Phone: 936-291-2620 E-Mail: info.shsucatholic@gmail.com Director: Dylan Caviness dcaviness@archgh.org Schools Supported: Sam Houston State University”
      The archdiocese's campus ministry office lists the Sam Houston State Catholic Student Center as serving Sam Houston State University.
    2. About Us | Shsucatholicshsucatholic.org/about-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Since 1943, the SHSU Catholic Student Center (CSC) has been part of the Office of Young Adult & Campus Ministry for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston”
      The Catholic Student Center has been part of the archdiocese's campus ministry office since 1943.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Dedicated Catholic center or chapel on or next to campusYes (The center is described as located at Sam Houston State University, with a chapel.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Catholic Student Center at SHSU | 1310 17th Street, Huntsville, TXshsucatholic.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Catholic Student Center located at Sam Houston State University is a place for Catholics to connect and dive deeper into their faith through fellowship and fun.”
      The Catholic Student Center is described as located at Sam Houston State University.
    2. Visit Us | Shsucatholicshsucatholic.org/visit-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Catholic Student Center 1310 17th St. Huntsville, TX 77340”
      The Catholic Student Center's address is 1310 17th Street, Huntsville, TX 77340.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Priest chaplain assigned to campus ministryPart-time or shared priest (A Mass schedule is published; the ministry's pages name no priest as chaplain.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Mass | Shsucatholicshsucatholic.org/mass · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Thursday at 6:15 PM in St. Catherine's Chapel at the CSC”
      A Thursday Mass is listed at 6:15 PM in St. Catherine's Chapel at the Catholic Student Center.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Weekday Mass at the campus ministry1–4 weekdays (Only Thursday Mass is listed at the Catholic Student Center. Tuesday to Friday Mass is listed at St. Thomas the Apostle and is not counted.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Mass | Shsucatholicshsucatholic.org/mass · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Thursday at 6:15 PM in St. Catherine's Chapel at the CSC”
      A Thursday Mass is listed at 6:15 PM in St. Catherine's Chapel at the Catholic Student Center.
  • 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 (The ministry's Sunday Student Mass during the semester is held at St. Thomas the Apostle parish next door, which is its own Mass rather than the parish's regular Mass times. Other Sunday and Saturday Masses at the parish are not counted.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Mass | Shsucatholicshsucatholic.org/mass · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “5:30PM Student Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle (During the semester)”
      A student Mass is listed at 5:30 PM on Sundays during the semester at St. Thomas the Apostle.
  • No: the school does not offer this, so it earns no points.
    Scheduled confession at the campus ministryNone (The ministry states that confession occurs at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, next door to the center, not at the center.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Reconciliation | Shsucatholicshsucatholic.org/reconciliation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Confession occurs at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, next door to the CSC.”
      The ministry states that confession takes place at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, next door to the center.
  • 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 distinct student offerings: a Saturday Bible Study and men's and women's small groups.)
    Sources (2)
    1. About Us | Shsucatholicshsucatholic.org/about-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Saturday Bible Study”
      The ministry lists a Saturday Bible Study among its small groups.
    2. What's Happening at the Catholic Student Center? | Shsucatholicshsucatholic.org/schedule-1 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “7:00PM - Men's and Women's Small Groups”
      Men's and women's small groups are listed on Tuesdays at 7:00 PM.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Formation programs (retreats, OCIA/RCIA, service, small groups)Two or more kinds
    Sources (2)
    1. Bearkat Awakening | Shsucatholicshsucatholic.org/bearkat-awakening · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Awakening is a retreat program led by young adults and focuses on deepening your relationship with Christ.”
      The ministry runs the Bearkat Awakening retreat program, which is led by young adults.
    2. What's Happening at the Catholic Student Center? | Shsucatholicshsucatholic.org/schedule-1 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “3:30PM - Order of Christian Initation for Adults”
      The weekly schedule lists the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults on Sundays at 3:30 PM.
  • 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: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Published weekly schedule of Mass, confession, and adoration12 to 19 times a week (15 weekly times documented: 10 Mass, 3 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

  • The Catholic Student Center has a chapel, St. Catherine's Chapel, where a Thursday Mass, a Monday rosary, a Tuesday Divine Mercy Chaplet, and Wednesday adoration are listed.
    Sources (2)
    1. Mass | Shsucatholicshsucatholic.org/mass · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Thursday at 6:15 PM in St. Catherine's Chapel at the CSC”
      A Thursday Mass is listed at 6:15 PM in St. Catherine's Chapel at the Catholic Student Center.
    2. What's Happening at the Catholic Student Center? | Shsucatholicshsucatholic.org/schedule-1 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “6:30PM - Rosary in St. Catherine's Chapel at the Catholic Student Center”
      A Monday rosary is listed at 6:30 PM in St. Catherine's Chapel at the center.
      “4:30PM - 6:00PM - Adoration in St. Catherine's Chapel”
      Adoration is listed on Wednesdays from 4:30 to 6:00 PM in St. Catherine's Chapel at the center.
  • The ministry lists small groups, a Saturday Bible study, and the Bearkat Awakening retreat program.
    Sources (3)
    1. What's Happening at the Catholic Student Center? | Shsucatholicshsucatholic.org/schedule-1 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “7:00PM - Men's and Women's Small Groups”
      Men's and women's small groups are listed on Tuesdays at 7:00 PM.
    2. About Us | Shsucatholicshsucatholic.org/about-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Saturday Bible Study”
      The ministry lists a Saturday Bible Study among its small groups.
    3. Bearkat Awakening | Shsucatholicshsucatholic.org/bearkat-awakening · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Awakening is a retreat program led by young adults and focuses on deepening your relationship with Christ.”
      The ministry runs the Bearkat Awakening retreat program, which is led by young adults.

Concerns

  • Only one weekday Mass is listed at the Catholic Student Center, on Thursday; the Sunday student Mass is held at St. Thomas the Apostle parish next door.
    Sources (1)
    1. Mass | Shsucatholicshsucatholic.org/mass · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Thursday at 6:15 PM in St. Catherine's Chapel at the CSC”
      A Thursday Mass is listed at 6:15 PM in St. Catherine's Chapel at the Catholic Student Center.
      “5:30PM Student Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle (During the semester)”
      A student Mass is listed at 5:30 PM on Sundays during the semester at St. Thomas the Apostle.
  • Weekly confession is listed at St. Thomas the Apostle parish, not at the Catholic Student Center.
    Sources (1)
    1. Reconciliation | Shsucatholicshsucatholic.org/reconciliation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Confession occurs at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, next door to the CSC.”
      The ministry states that confession takes place at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, next door to the center.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

The Catholic center

Catholic Student Center at SHSU (Bearkat Katholic)

  • Address: 1310 17th St, Huntsville, TX 77340
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: chapel

View on map ↗

Source: archgh.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026, shsucatholic.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026, shsucatholic.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026, shsucatholic.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

13 groups and regular activities · 4 on campus, 0 off campus, 9 location not published

Liturgy and prayer 3

  • Monday rosaryOn campus
    Mondays, 6:30 PM
    Rosary in St. Catherine's Chapel at the Catholic Student Center.
    shsucatholic.org
  • Divine Mercy ChapletOn campus
    Tuesdays, 6:30 PM
    Divine Mercy Chaplet in St. Catherine's Chapel at the Catholic Student Center.
    shsucatholic.org
  • Thursday student MassOn campus
    Thursdays, 6:15 PM
    Mass in St. Catherine's Chapel at the Catholic Student Center.
    shsucatholic.org

Social life 3

  • Sunday SupperOn campus
    Sundays, 6:45 PM
    Supper at the Student Center on Sundays.
    shsucatholic.org
  • Game Night
    Mondays, 7:00 PM
    Game night listed on the center's weekly schedule.
    shsucatholic.org
  • Movie Night
    Wednesdays, 6:00 PM
    Movie night listed on the center's weekly schedule; the center directs students to its schedule of movies.
    shsucatholic.org

Faith formation 4

  • Saturday Bible Study
    Saturdays
    Bible study listed among the center's small groups.
    shsucatholic.org
  • Men's and women's small groups
    Tuesdays, 7:00 PM
    Men's and women's small groups listed on the center's weekly schedule.
    shsucatholic.org
  • Order of Christian Initiation for Adults
    Sundays, 3:30 PM
    Listed on the center's weekly schedule.
    shsucatholic.org
  • Dinner and Feed your Faith
    Thursdays, 7:00 PM
    Dinner and faith formation event on the center's weekly schedule.
    shsucatholic.org

Clubs and groups 1

  • Catholic Student Center student officers
    Student leadership of the center, including a student president.
    shsucatholic.org

Other 1

  • Media outreach, campus outreach, and prayer teams
    Teams listed on the center's about page.
    shsucatholic.org

Retreats 1

  • Bearkat Awakening retreat
    October 2-4, 2026
    Young-adult-led retreat with small group conversation, quiet prayer time, Mass, and confession.
    shsucatholic.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

Sources (4)
  1. University Campus Ministry | Archdiocese of Galveston-Houstonarchgh.org/campusministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Bearkat Katholic Phone: 936-291-2620 E-Mail: info.shsucatholic@gmail.com Director: Dylan Caviness dcaviness@archgh.org Schools Supported: Sam Houston State University”
    The archdiocese's campus ministry office lists the Sam Houston State Catholic Student Center as serving Sam Houston State University.
    “Bearkat Katholic Phone: 936-291-2620 E-Mail: info.shsucatholic@gmail.com Director: Dylan Caviness dcaviness@archgh.org Schools Supported: Sam Houston State University”
    The archdiocese's campus ministry office lists the Sam Houston State Catholic Student Center as serving Sam Houston State University.
  2. About Us | Shsucatholicshsucatholic.org/about-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Since 1943, the SHSU Catholic Student Center (CSC) has been part of the Office of Young Adult & Campus Ministry for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston”
    The Catholic Student Center has been part of the archdiocese's campus ministry office since 1943.
    “Since 1943, the SHSU Catholic Student Center (CSC) has been part of the Office of Young Adult & Campus Ministry for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston”
    The Catholic Student Center has been part of the archdiocese's campus ministry office since 1943.
  3. Visit Us | Shsucatholicshsucatholic.org/visit-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Catholic Student Center 1310 17th St. Huntsville, TX 77340”
    The Catholic Student Center's address is 1310 17th Street, Huntsville, TX 77340.
  4. Catholic Student Center at SHSU | 1310 17th Street, Huntsville, TXshsucatholic.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “The Catholic Student Center located at Sam Houston State University is a place for Catholics to connect and dive deeper into their faith through fellowship and fun.”
    The Catholic Student Center is described as located at Sam Houston State University.

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Academic Excellence

DAcademic Excellence: Limited (grade D): 40 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
54 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.55%
  • First-year retention 20% of scoreThis measure counts for 20% of the Academic Excellence score.73%
  • Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.SAT 1,041 · ACT 20.5
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.19 to 1
  • Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$7,981

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)
18,179
Total students21,403
Average net price (per year)
After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid
$16,404
Cost of attendance (per year)$25,505
Median federal debt at graduation$21,983
Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
55%
First-year retention73%
Median earnings 10 years after entry$54,211
Admission rate90%
Students receiving Pell grants41%
Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT1041
SAT reading & writing480–570
SAT math450–550
ACT composite17–24
Test policyConsidered but not required

Value index: 57 / 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 Galveston-Houston

The Most Reverend Joe S. Vásquez, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston

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 227881
  • Carnegie classification: Doctoral university (high research)
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges d.b.a. Commission on Colleges and Universities (U.S. Department of Education DAPIP)
  • Report an error or a newer source
  • Respond as this school

Questions families ask

Is Sam Houston State University a Catholic college?
No. Sam Houston State University is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by Catholic Student Center at SHSU (Bearkat Katholic), Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.
What is Sam Houston State University’s Catholic Life Score?
62 out of 100 (grade C). 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 Sam Houston State University?
Mass is listed at St. Thomas the Apostle (parish, next door) and St. Catherine's Chapel at the Catholic Student Center. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.

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