Is San Jose State University a Catholic college?

No. San Jose State University is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by San Jose State University Newman Center.

College · Catholic life on campus

San Jose State University

LocationSan Jose, CA
Type and sizePublic · 4-year · 36,062 students

Official website

San Jose 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 Diocese of San Jose lists the San Jose State University Newman Center, at 300 S. 10th Street, as the Catholic campus ministry for SJSU. Effective July 1, 2026, the bishop assigned Rev. Ernesto Orci as chaplain of the SJSU Newman Center and parochial vicar of Saint Leo the Great. The Newman Catholic Student Association is a recognized student organization, and FOCUS lists four missionaries at SJSU.

Catholic churches nearby

CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›

SJSU Newman Center — 0.2 mi · 300 South 10th Street, San Jose
Thánh Đường Đức Mẹ La Vang — 0.3 mi · 389 East Santa Clara Street, San Jose
Notre Dame High School Chapel — 0.5 mi
Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph — 0.6 mi · 80 South Market Street, San Jose
Holy Cross Church — 1.1 mi · 580 Jackson Street, San Jose
Igreja Nacional Portuguesa das Cinco Chagas;Five Wounds Portuguese National Church — 1.3 mi

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/A

Catholic life on campus

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

Yes:
Catholic campus ministry serving this campus (Catholic center, campus ministry, or chaplaincy)Yes (The Diocese of San Jose's Office of Young Adults lists the San Jose State University Newman Center under college campus ministry, and the diocese assigned a chaplain to the SJSU Newman Center effective July 1, 2026. The Newman Catholic Student Association is a recognized student organization on SJSU's SAMMY App directory.)
Sources (3)
1. Young Adult - Diocese of San Josedsj.org/evangelization/young-adult · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “Young Adult College Campus Ministry Parish | Website | Santa Clara University | https://www.scu.edu/cm/ | San Jose State University Newman Center | https://sjsunewman.mystrikingly.com/”
  The Diocese of San Jose lists the San Jose State University Newman Center among college campus ministries, with its website.
2. New Clergy Assignments effective July 1, 2026 - Diocese of San Josedsj.org/new-clergy-assignments-2026 · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “Rev. Ernesto Orci from pastor of Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph to chaplain of SJSU Newman Center and parochial vicar at Saint Leo the Great”
  Rev. Ernesto Orci was assigned as chaplain of the SJSU Newman Center and parochial vicar at Saint Leo the Great.
3. List of Groupssammyapp.sjsu.edu/club_signup?view=all& · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “The Newman Catholic Student Association’s purpose is to provide opportunities for students who are Catholic or interested in Catholicism to gather in prayer, worship, fellowship, service and community.”
  The Newman Catholic Student Association is a recognized student organization at SJSU for prayer, worship, fellowship, service, and community.
Yes:
Dedicated Catholic center or chapel on or next to campusYes (The diocese refers to the SJSU Newman Center as a place with its own chaplain (2026 assignments) and lists it as a venue at 300 S. 10th Street, San Jose, CA 95112. The venue listing is undated (its only events are from 2019) and is used only for the address. Distance to campus is computed from the address.)
Sources (2)
1. New Clergy Assignments effective July 1, 2026 - Diocese of San Josedsj.org/new-clergy-assignments-2026 · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “Rev. Ernesto Orci from pastor of Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph to chaplain of SJSU Newman Center and parochial vicar at Saint Leo the Great”
  Rev. Ernesto Orci was assigned as chaplain of the SJSU Newman Center and parochial vicar at Saint Leo the Great.
2. San Jose State University Newman Center - Diocese of San Josedsj.org/venue/san-jose-state-university-newman-center · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “Address 300 S. 10th Street San Jose, CA 95112”
  The diocese's venue listing gives the San Jose State University Newman Center's address as 300 S. 10th Street, San Jose, CA 95112 (used only for the address).
Yes:
Priest chaplain assigned to campus ministryFull-time priest chaplain (Bishop Oscar Cantú assigned Rev. Ernesto Orci as chaplain of the SJSU Newman Center effective July 1, 2026; the same assignment makes him parochial vicar at Saint Leo the Great, whose staff page lists him.)
Sources (1)
1. New Clergy Assignments effective July 1, 2026 - Diocese of San Josedsj.org/new-clergy-assignments-2026 · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “Rev. Ernesto Orci from pastor of Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph to chaplain of SJSU Newman Center and parochial vicar at Saint Leo the Great”
  Rev. Ernesto Orci was assigned as chaplain of the SJSU Newman Center and parochial vicar at Saint Leo the Great.
  “Bishop Oscar Cantú has made the following new clergy assignments effective July 1, 2026, unless otherwise indicated.”
  The clergy assignments, including the SJSU Newman Center chaplaincy, took effect July 1, 2026.
Not enough information:
Weekday Mass at the campus ministryNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Not enough information:
Sunday Mass at the campus ministry or a campus chapelNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Not enough information:
Scheduled confession at the campus ministryNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Yes:
Catholic student groups and missionary outreach (e.g., FOCUS, Saint Paul's Outreach, Knights of Columbus, Bible studies)Two or more (Newman Catholic Student Association (recognized student organization on SJSU's SAMMY App) and FOCUS (four missionaries listed on focus.org).)
Sources (2)
1. List of Groupssammyapp.sjsu.edu/club_signup?view=all& · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “The Newman Catholic Student Association’s purpose is to provide opportunities for students who are Catholic or interested in Catholicism to gather in prayer, worship, fellowship, service and community.”
  The Newman Catholic Student Association is a recognized student organization at SJSU for prayer, worship, fellowship, service, and community.
2. San Jose State University - FOCUSfocus.org/campus/san-jose-state-university · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “Villicana Sophia Villicana Jansen John Paul Jansen Guardado Pedro Guardado Abrego Valeria Abrego”
  FOCUS lists four missionaries serving at San Jose State University.
Not enough information:
Formation programs (retreats, OCIA/RCIA, service, small groups)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
Yes:
Catholic church within walking distance (computed from OpenStreetMap)Within 1 mile of campusComputed from OpenStreetMap church locations.
Not enough information:
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

The Diocese of San Jose assigned a priest, Rev. Ernesto Orci, as chaplain of the SJSU Newman Center effective July 1, 2026.
Sources (1)
1. New Clergy Assignments effective July 1, 2026 - Diocese of San Josedsj.org/new-clergy-assignments-2026 · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “Rev. Ernesto Orci from pastor of Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph to chaplain of SJSU Newman Center and parochial vicar at Saint Leo the Great”
  Rev. Ernesto Orci was assigned as chaplain of the SJSU Newman Center and parochial vicar at Saint Leo the Great.
  “Bishop Oscar Cantú has made the following new clergy assignments effective July 1, 2026, unless otherwise indicated.”
  The clergy assignments, including the SJSU Newman Center chaplaincy, took effect July 1, 2026.
FOCUS lists a team of four missionaries at SJSU.
Sources (2)
1. San Jose State University - FOCUSfocus.org/campus/san-jose-state-university · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “Villicana Sophia Villicana Jansen John Paul Jansen Guardado Pedro Guardado Abrego Valeria Abrego”
  FOCUS lists four missionaries serving at San Jose State University.
2. Campuses - FOCUSfocus.org/about/campuses · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “Samford UniversitySan Jose State UniversityDickinson State University”
  FOCUS lists San Jose State University among the campuses where it serves.
The Newman Catholic Student Association is a recognized student organization at SJSU.
Sources (1)
1. List of Groupssammyapp.sjsu.edu/club_signup?view=all& · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “The Newman Catholic Student Association’s purpose is to provide opportunities for students who are Catholic or interested in Catholicism to gather in prayer, worship, fellowship, service and community.”
  The Newman Catholic Student Association is a recognized student organization at SJSU for prayer, worship, fellowship, service, and community.

Concerns

The Newman Center chaplain also serves as parochial vicar of Saint Leo the Great parish.
Sources (2)
1. New Clergy Assignments effective July 1, 2026 - Diocese of San Josedsj.org/new-clergy-assignments-2026 · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “Rev. Ernesto Orci from pastor of Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph to chaplain of SJSU Newman Center and parochial vicar at Saint Leo the Great”
  Rev. Ernesto Orci was assigned as chaplain of the SJSU Newman Center and parochial vicar at Saint Leo the Great.
2. Parish Staff — ST. LEO THE GREAT CATHOLIC CHURCHstleochurchsj.org/parish-staff · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “Parochial Vicar Father Ernesto Orci Ernesto.Orci@dsj.org”
  Saint Leo the Great parish lists Father Ernesto Orci as parochial vicar with the email Ernesto.Orci@dsj.org.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

The Catholic center

San Jose State University Newman Center

Address: 300 S. 10th Street, San Jose, CA 95112
Distance from campus: 0.2 mi (straight line from the campus point in federal IPEDS data)

View on map ↗

Source: dsj.org, verified Oct. 8, 2026, dsj.org, verified Oct. 8, 2026, dsj.org, verified Oct. 8, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

2 groups and regular activities · 2 on campus, 0 off campus

Clubs and groups 2

Newman Catholic Student AssociationOn campus
Recognized student organization for students who are Catholic or interested in Catholicism, for prayer, worship, fellowship, service, and community.
sammyapp.sjsu.edu
FOCUS missionary teamOn campus
FOCUS lists four missionaries serving Catholic students at SJSU.
focus.org, focus.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 (6)

Young Adult - Diocese of San Josedsj.org/evangelization/young-adult · verified Oct. 8, 2026
“Young Adult College Campus Ministry Parish | Website | Santa Clara University | https://www.scu.edu/cm/ | San Jose State University Newman Center | https://sjsunewman.mystrikingly.com/”
The Diocese of San Jose lists the San Jose State University Newman Center among college campus ministries, with its website.
“Young Adult College Campus Ministry Parish | Website | Santa Clara University | https://www.scu.edu/cm/ | San Jose State University Newman Center | https://sjsunewman.mystrikingly.com/”
The Diocese of San Jose lists the San Jose State University Newman Center among college campus ministries, with its website.
New Clergy Assignments effective July 1, 2026 - Diocese of San Josedsj.org/new-clergy-assignments-2026 · verified Oct. 8, 2026
“Rev. Ernesto Orci from pastor of Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph to chaplain of SJSU Newman Center and parochial vicar at Saint Leo the Great”
Rev. Ernesto Orci was assigned as chaplain of the SJSU Newman Center and parochial vicar at Saint Leo the Great.
“Rev. Ernesto Orci from pastor of Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph to chaplain of SJSU Newman Center and parochial vicar at Saint Leo the Great”
Rev. Ernesto Orci was assigned as chaplain of the SJSU Newman Center and parochial vicar at Saint Leo the Great.
San Jose State University Newman Center - Diocese of San Josedsj.org/venue/san-jose-state-university-newman-center · verified Oct. 8, 2026
“Address 300 S. 10th Street San Jose, CA 95112”
The diocese's venue listing gives the San Jose State University Newman Center's address as 300 S. 10th Street, San Jose, CA 95112 (used only for the address).
“Address 300 S. 10th Street San Jose, CA 95112”
The diocese's venue listing gives the San Jose State University Newman Center's address as 300 S. 10th Street, San Jose, CA 95112 (used only for the address).
List of Groupssammyapp.sjsu.edu/club_signup?view=all& · verified Oct. 8, 2026
“The Newman Catholic Student Association’s purpose is to provide opportunities for students who are Catholic or interested in Catholicism to gather in prayer, worship, fellowship, service and community.”
The Newman Catholic Student Association is a recognized student organization at SJSU for prayer, worship, fellowship, service, and community.
San Jose State University - FOCUSfocus.org/campus/san-jose-state-university · verified Oct. 8, 2026
“Villicana Sophia Villicana Jansen John Paul Jansen Guardado Pedro Guardado Abrego Valeria Abrego”
FOCUS lists four missionaries serving at San Jose State University.
Campuses - FOCUSfocus.org/about/campuses · verified Oct. 8, 2026
“Samford UniversitySan Jose State UniversityDickinson State University”
FOCUS lists San Jose State University among the campuses where it serves.

Reach out

Contact details for Rev. Ernesto Orci (Chaplain, SJSU Newman Center (also Parochial Vicar, Saint Leo the Great)) and the campus ministry are available to signed-in users.

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

My rating and notes

Academic Excellence

65 of 100

From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

Graduation rate 35% of score69%
First-year retention 20% of score87%
Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreNot reported
Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of score25 to 1
Instructional spending per student 15% of score$9,020

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))

Campus facts

Sports	NCAA Division I · Mountain West Conference
Setting	City
ROTC	Army · Air Force
Study abroad	Offered
Students per faculty member	25 to 1

Federal data (IPEDS). None of this changes the faith grades.

Cost and value

Federal data, shown separately. Cost, debt, and earnings are never part of any grade.

Value and outcomes
Undergraduate students Fall enrollment (IPEDS)	27,111
Total students	36,062
Average net price (per year) After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid	$13,760
Cost of attendance (per year)	$26,593
Median federal debt at graduation	$15,000
Graduation rate First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time	69%
First-year retention	87%
Median earnings 10 years after entry	$78,988
Admission rate	85%
Students receiving Pell grants	35%

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 San Jose

The Most Reverend Oscar Cantú, Bishop of San Jose

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Source: dsj.org, dsj.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 122755
Carnegie classification: Master's university (larger programs)
Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission (U.S. Department of Education DAPIP)
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Questions families ask

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

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