Catholic School CompassTrue north for Catholic families.
San Diego State University: Sdsumain
Photo: Wikipedia User:Geographer, CC BY 1.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

College · Catholic life on campus

San Diego State University

  • LocationSan Diego, CA
  • Type and sizePublic · 4-year · 39,241 students
Official website

San Diego 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.

Aztec Catholic, the San Diego State Catholic Newman Club, is a recognized SDSU student organization affiliated with the Diocese of San Diego; it is based at the Catholic Newman Center at 5855 Hardy Ave. Its website lists Sunday and daily Mass, adoration, confession, men's and women's groups, Bible studies, mission trips, service, and social events; readable pages give no Mass or confession times or priest's name. FOCUS lists four missionaries at San Diego State.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of San Diego State University, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miBlessed Sacrament Catholic Church: 1.1 mi1Saint Therese Catholic Church: 1.3 mi2Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala: 2.1 mi3Saint Martin of Tours Catholic Church: 2.4 mi4Sacred Heart Catholic Church: 2.4 mi5Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church: 2.5 mi6Catholic Newman Center (Aztec Catholic): 0.2 miSan Diego State University (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church — 1.1 mi · 4540 El Cerrito Drive, San Diego
  2. Saint Therese Catholic Church — 1.3 mi · 6400 Saint Therese Way, San Diego
  3. Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala — 2.1 mi
  4. Saint Martin of Tours Catholic Church — 2.4 mi · 7710 El Cajon Boulevard, La Mesa
  5. Sacred Heart Catholic Church — 2.4 mi
  6. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church — 2.5 mi · 4177 Marlborough Avenue, San Diego

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

80 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 (SDSU's directory of recognized student organizations lists Aztec Catholic (the San Diego State Catholic Newman Club), affiliated with the Diocese of San Diego and meeting at the Catholic Newman Center.)
    Sources (2)
    1. View Organization Details | SDSU Recognized Student Organizationsstuapp.sdsu.edu/RSO/search/Detail?OrgID=55 · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Aztec Catholic | Religious Based | Contact Email | sdsunewman@sdcatholic.org”
      SDSU's directory of recognized student organizations lists Aztec Catholic, a religious organization, with contact email sdsunewman@sdcatholic.org.
      “Local, State, or National Affiliated Organizations | Diocese of San Diego”
      Aztec Catholic is affiliated with the Diocese of San Diego.
      “In response to what we have experienced in Christ, the San Diego State Catholic Newman Club is called to empower and challenge young adults to become the people God created them to be.”
      Aztec Catholic is the San Diego State Catholic Newman Club.
    2. HOME | Aztec Catholicazteccatholic.org · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “WE ARE A COMMUNITY OF COLLEGE STUDENTS SEEKING TO BE FULLY ALIVE IN OUR CATHOLIC FAITH.”
      Aztec Catholic describes itself as a community of college students living the Catholic faith.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Dedicated Catholic center or chapel on or next to campusYes (The Catholic Newman Center is at 5855 Hardy Ave, San Diego. Distance to campus is computed from the address.)
    Sources (2)
    1. View Organization Details | SDSU Recognized Student Organizationsstuapp.sdsu.edu/RSO/search/Detail?OrgID=55 · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Sunday 12:00pm-2:00pm | Catholic Newman Center | Office Location | Office Phone Number | 5855 Hardy Ave, San Diego, CA, 92115 | (619) 762-9788”
      Aztec Catholic meets Sundays 12:00-2:00 PM at the Catholic Newman Center, 5855 Hardy Ave, San Diego, CA 92115; phone 762-9788.
    2. HOME | Aztec Catholicazteccatholic.org · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “MOST OF OUR ACTIVITIES ARE AT “THE NEWMAN CENTER” LOCATED AT 5855 HARDY AVE.”
      Most Aztec Catholic activities take place at the Newman Center, 5855 Hardy Ave.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Priest chaplain assigned to campus ministryPart-time or shared priest (The ministry states it has Sunday and daily Mass; a priest serves at least part-time.)
    Sources (1)
    1. HOME | Aztec Catholicazteccatholic.org · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “HERE AT AZTEC CATHOLIC WE HAVE SUNDAY AND DAILY MASS, BONFIRES, MEN’S/WOMEN’S GROUPS, BBQ’S, INTRAMURAL SPORTS, ADORATION, CONFESSION, MISSION TRIPS, SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES, BIBLE STUDIES, FOOTBALL TAILGATES, ETC...”
      Aztec Catholic offers Sunday and daily Mass, adoration, confession, men's and women's groups, Bible studies, mission trips, service opportunities, bonfires, BBQs, intramural sports, and football tailgates.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Weekday Mass at the campus ministryEvery weekday (5 or more weekdays) (The ministry's page says it has "daily Mass".)
    Sources (1)
    1. HOME | Aztec Catholicazteccatholic.org · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “HERE AT AZTEC CATHOLIC WE HAVE SUNDAY AND DAILY MASS, BONFIRES, MEN’S/WOMEN’S GROUPS, BBQ’S, INTRAMURAL SPORTS, ADORATION, CONFESSION, MISSION TRIPS, SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES, BIBLE STUDIES, FOOTBALL TAILGATES, ETC...”
      Aztec Catholic offers Sunday and daily Mass, adoration, confession, men's and women's groups, Bible studies, mission trips, service opportunities, bonfires, BBQs, intramural sports, and football tailgates.
  • 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 (Recorded as at least one weekend Mass.)
    Sources (1)
    1. HOME | Aztec Catholicazteccatholic.org · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “HERE AT AZTEC CATHOLIC WE HAVE SUNDAY AND DAILY MASS, BONFIRES, MEN’S/WOMEN’S GROUPS, BBQ’S, INTRAMURAL SPORTS, ADORATION, CONFESSION, MISSION TRIPS, SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES, BIBLE STUDIES, FOOTBALL TAILGATES, ETC...”
      Aztec Catholic offers Sunday and daily Mass, adoration, confession, men's and women's groups, Bible studies, mission trips, service opportunities, bonfires, BBQs, intramural sports, and football tailgates.
  • 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 (Confession is listed among the ministry's offerings.)
    Sources (1)
    1. HOME | Aztec Catholicazteccatholic.org · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “HERE AT AZTEC CATHOLIC WE HAVE SUNDAY AND DAILY MASS, BONFIRES, MEN’S/WOMEN’S GROUPS, BBQ’S, INTRAMURAL SPORTS, ADORATION, CONFESSION, MISSION TRIPS, SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES, BIBLE STUDIES, FOOTBALL TAILGATES, ETC...”
      Aztec Catholic offers Sunday and daily Mass, adoration, confession, men's and women's groups, Bible studies, mission trips, service opportunities, bonfires, BBQs, intramural sports, and football tailgates.
  • 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 (Aztec Catholic is a recognized student organization. FOCUS lists four missionaries at San Diego State; the ministry lists men's and women's groups and Bible studies. No Knights of Columbus council or pro-life club appears in SDSU's list of recognized student organizations.)
    Sources (4)
    1. View Organization Details | SDSU Recognized Student Organizationsstuapp.sdsu.edu/RSO/search/Detail?OrgID=55 · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Aztec Catholic | Religious Based | Contact Email | sdsunewman@sdcatholic.org”
      SDSU's directory of recognized student organizations lists Aztec Catholic, a religious organization, with contact email sdsunewman@sdcatholic.org.
    2. HOME | Aztec Catholicazteccatholic.org · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “HERE AT AZTEC CATHOLIC WE HAVE SUNDAY AND DAILY MASS, BONFIRES, MEN’S/WOMEN’S GROUPS, BBQ’S, INTRAMURAL SPORTS, ADORATION, CONFESSION, MISSION TRIPS, SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES, BIBLE STUDIES, FOOTBALL TAILGATES, ETC...”
      Aztec Catholic offers Sunday and daily Mass, adoration, confession, men's and women's groups, Bible studies, mission trips, service opportunities, bonfires, BBQs, intramural sports, and football tailgates.
    3. San Diego State University - FOCUSfocus.org/campus/san-diego-state-university · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Plaza Serafia Plaza Ferrer Ulysses Ferrer Wong Fong Lorena Wong Fong Knauss Tim Knauss”
      FOCUS's San Diego State University page lists four missionaries: Serafia Plaza, Ulysses Ferrer, Lorena Wong Fong, and Tim Knauss.
    4. Campuses - FOCUSfocus.org/about/campuses · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “California State University, Fullerton San Diego State University University of California, Berkeley”
      FOCUS lists San Diego State University among the campuses where it serves.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Formation programs (retreats, OCIA/RCIA, service, small groups)Two or more kinds (Men's and women's groups, Bible studies, mission trips, and service opportunities.)
    Sources (1)
    1. HOME | Aztec Catholicazteccatholic.org · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “HERE AT AZTEC CATHOLIC WE HAVE SUNDAY AND DAILY MASS, BONFIRES, MEN’S/WOMEN’S GROUPS, BBQ’S, INTRAMURAL SPORTS, ADORATION, CONFESSION, MISSION TRIPS, SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES, BIBLE STUDIES, FOOTBALL TAILGATES, ETC...”
      Aztec Catholic offers Sunday and daily Mass, adoration, confession, men's and women's groups, Bible studies, mission trips, service opportunities, bonfires, BBQs, intramural sports, and football tailgates.
  • 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.
  • 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 Catholic Newman Center at 5855 Hardy Ave serves as the base for Aztec Catholic, a recognized SDSU student organization affiliated with the Diocese of San Diego.
    Sources (2)
    1. View Organization Details | SDSU Recognized Student Organizationsstuapp.sdsu.edu/RSO/search/Detail?OrgID=55 · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Aztec Catholic | Religious Based | Contact Email | sdsunewman@sdcatholic.org”
      SDSU's directory of recognized student organizations lists Aztec Catholic, a religious organization, with contact email sdsunewman@sdcatholic.org.
      “Sunday 12:00pm-2:00pm | Catholic Newman Center | Office Location | Office Phone Number | 5855 Hardy Ave, San Diego, CA, 92115 | (619) 762-9788”
      Aztec Catholic meets Sundays 12:00-2:00 PM at the Catholic Newman Center, 5855 Hardy Ave, San Diego, CA 92115; phone 762-9788.
      “Local, State, or National Affiliated Organizations | Diocese of San Diego”
      Aztec Catholic is affiliated with the Diocese of San Diego.
    2. HOME | Aztec Catholicazteccatholic.org · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “MOST OF OUR ACTIVITIES ARE AT “THE NEWMAN CENTER” LOCATED AT 5855 HARDY AVE.”
      Most Aztec Catholic activities take place at the Newman Center, 5855 Hardy Ave.
  • The ministry lists Sunday and daily Mass, adoration, and confession.
    Sources (1)
    1. HOME | Aztec Catholicazteccatholic.org · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “HERE AT AZTEC CATHOLIC WE HAVE SUNDAY AND DAILY MASS, BONFIRES, MEN’S/WOMEN’S GROUPS, BBQ’S, INTRAMURAL SPORTS, ADORATION, CONFESSION, MISSION TRIPS, SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES, BIBLE STUDIES, FOOTBALL TAILGATES, ETC...”
      Aztec Catholic offers Sunday and daily Mass, adoration, confession, men's and women's groups, Bible studies, mission trips, service opportunities, bonfires, BBQs, intramural sports, and football tailgates.
  • FOCUS lists four missionaries at San Diego State, and the ministry lists men's and women's groups, Bible studies, mission trips, and service opportunities.
    Sources (2)
    1. HOME | Aztec Catholicazteccatholic.org · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “HERE AT AZTEC CATHOLIC WE HAVE SUNDAY AND DAILY MASS, BONFIRES, MEN’S/WOMEN’S GROUPS, BBQ’S, INTRAMURAL SPORTS, ADORATION, CONFESSION, MISSION TRIPS, SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES, BIBLE STUDIES, FOOTBALL TAILGATES, ETC...”
      Aztec Catholic offers Sunday and daily Mass, adoration, confession, men's and women's groups, Bible studies, mission trips, service opportunities, bonfires, BBQs, intramural sports, and football tailgates.
    2. San Diego State University - FOCUSfocus.org/campus/san-diego-state-university · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Plaza Serafia Plaza Ferrer Ulysses Ferrer Wong Fong Lorena Wong Fong Knauss Tim Knauss”
      FOCUS's San Diego State University page lists four missionaries: Serafia Plaza, Ulysses Ferrer, Lorena Wong Fong, and Tim Knauss.

Concerns

  • The ministry posts its event schedules as images.
    Sources (2)
    1. HOME | Aztec Catholicazteccatholic.org · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “HERE AT AZTEC CATHOLIC WE HAVE SUNDAY AND DAILY MASS, BONFIRES, MEN’S/WOMEN’S GROUPS, BBQ’S, INTRAMURAL SPORTS, ADORATION, CONFESSION, MISSION TRIPS, SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES, BIBLE STUDIES, FOOTBALL TAILGATES, ETC...”
      Aztec Catholic offers Sunday and daily Mass, adoration, confession, men's and women's groups, Bible studies, mission trips, service opportunities, bonfires, BBQs, intramural sports, and football tailgates.
    2. Mass Guidelines | Aztec Catholicazteccatholic.org/announcement · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Our 3 main avenues of communication are the GroupMe (QR below), our text announcements (on monthly flyer), and our instragram (@azteccatholic).”
      Aztec Catholic communicates through a GroupMe group, text announcements, and Instagram, and posts fall kickoff, monthly, and weekly event schedules as images.
  • Aztec Catholic is the only Catholic group in SDSU's list of recognized student organizations.
    Sources (1)
    1. View Organization Details | SDSU Recognized Student Organizationsstuapp.sdsu.edu/RSO/search/Detail?OrgID=55 · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Aztec Catholic | Religious Based | Contact Email | sdsunewman@sdcatholic.org”
      SDSU's directory of recognized student organizations lists Aztec Catholic, a religious organization, with contact email sdsunewman@sdcatholic.org.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

The Catholic center

Catholic Newman Center (Aztec Catholic)

  • Address: 5855 Hardy Ave, San Diego, CA 92115
  • Distance from campus: 0.2 mi (straight line from the campus point in federal IPEDS data)

View on map ↗

Source: stuapp.sdsu.edu, verified Oct. 8, 2026, azteccatholic.org, verified Oct. 8, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

9 groups and regular activities · 7 on campus, 2 off campus

Service 2

  • Mission tripsOff campus
    Mission trips listed among Aztec Catholic's activities.
    azteccatholic.org
  • Service opportunitiesOff campus
    Service opportunities listed among Aztec Catholic's activities.
    azteccatholic.org

Faith formation 2

  • Men's and women's groupsOn campus
    Men's and women's groups listed among Aztec Catholic's activities, most of which are held at the Newman Center.
    azteccatholic.org, azteccatholic.org
  • Bible studiesOn campus
    Bible studies listed among Aztec Catholic's activities.
    azteccatholic.org

Clubs and groups 2

Social life 2

  • Bonfires, BBQs, and football tailgatesOn campus
    Social events listed among Aztec Catholic's activities.
    azteccatholic.org
  • Fall kickoff events and monthly/weekly regular eventsOn campus
    Aztec Catholic posts a fall kickoff schedule and monthly and weekly event schedules (as images) and sends announcements by GroupMe, text, and Instagram.
    azteccatholic.org

Sports and recreation 1

  • Intramural sportsOn campus
    Aztec Catholic lists intramural sports among its activities.
    azteccatholic.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. View Organization Details | SDSU Recognized Student Organizationsstuapp.sdsu.edu/RSO/search/Detail?OrgID=55 · verified Oct. 8, 2026
    “Aztec Catholic | Religious Based | Contact Email | sdsunewman@sdcatholic.org”
    SDSU's directory of recognized student organizations lists Aztec Catholic, a religious organization, with contact email sdsunewman@sdcatholic.org.
    “Local, State, or National Affiliated Organizations | Diocese of San Diego”
    Aztec Catholic is affiliated with the Diocese of San Diego.
    “Sunday 12:00pm-2:00pm | Catholic Newman Center | Office Location | Office Phone Number | 5855 Hardy Ave, San Diego, CA, 92115 | (619) 762-9788”
    Aztec Catholic meets Sundays 12:00-2:00 PM at the Catholic Newman Center, 5855 Hardy Ave, San Diego, CA 92115; phone 762-9788.
  2. HOME | Aztec Catholicazteccatholic.org · verified Oct. 8, 2026
    “WE ARE A COMMUNITY OF COLLEGE STUDENTS SEEKING TO BE FULLY ALIVE IN OUR CATHOLIC FAITH.”
    Aztec Catholic describes itself as a community of college students living the Catholic faith.
    “MOST OF OUR ACTIVITIES ARE AT “THE NEWMAN CENTER” LOCATED AT 5855 HARDY AVE.”
    Most Aztec Catholic activities take place at the Newman Center, 5855 Hardy Ave.
    “MOST OF OUR ACTIVITIES ARE AT “THE NEWMAN CENTER” LOCATED AT 5855 HARDY AVE.”
    Most Aztec Catholic activities take place at the Newman Center, 5855 Hardy Ave.
  3. San Diego State University - FOCUSfocus.org/campus/san-diego-state-university · verified Oct. 8, 2026
    “Plaza Serafia Plaza Ferrer Ulysses Ferrer Wong Fong Lorena Wong Fong Knauss Tim Knauss”
    FOCUS's San Diego State University page lists four missionaries: Serafia Plaza, Ulysses Ferrer, Lorena Wong Fong, and Tim Knauss.
  4. Campuses - FOCUSfocus.org/about/campuses · verified Oct. 8, 2026
    “California State University, Fullerton San Diego State University University of California, Berkeley”
    FOCUS lists San Diego State University among the campuses where it serves.

Reach out

Contact details for Aztec Catholic / Catholic Newman Center (Catholic Newman Center office (San Diego State Catholic Newman Club)) and 2 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

Sign in Create a free account

We keep campus ministers’ emails behind sign-in to protect them from spam.

My rating and notes

Sign in or create a free account to rate this school privately, keep notes, and save it to your list.

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.
68 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.76%
  • First-year retention 20% of scoreThis measure counts for 20% of the Academic Excellence score.91%
  • Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.Not reported
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.27 to 1
  • Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$8,619

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)
34,050
Total students39,241
Average net price (per year)
After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid
$15,364
Cost of attendance (per year)$27,780
Median federal debt at graduation$15,000
Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
76%
First-year retention91%
Median earnings 10 years after entry$64,909
Admission rate36%
Students receiving Pell grants32%

Value index: 79 / 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 San Diego

The Most Reverend Michael Pham, Bishop of San Diego

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

Questions families ask

Is San Diego State University a Catholic college?
No. San Diego State University is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by Aztec Catholic / Catholic Newman Center.
What is San Diego 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.

Reviews

Personal experiences from signed-in readers. Reviews are moderated automatically and never change a school’s grades.

No reviews yet.

Sign in to write a review.

More in California · California rankings