Is South Dakota State University a Catholic college?

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

Where is Mass celebrated at South Dakota State University?

Mass is listed at Pius XII Newman Center, 1321 8th St and Brookings. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.

Is South Dakota State University Compass Recommended?

Yes. South Dakota State University meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic life on campus.

College · Catholic life on campus

South Dakota State University

LocationBrookings, SD
Type and sizePublic · 4-year · 11,498 students

Official website Campus Ministry Honor Roll badge

Catholic Life Score

Catholic life 75%Academics 25%

ACatholic life
90 of 100

CAcademics
66 of 100

Verified Oct. 12, 2026 · How the score works

Campus Ministry Honor RollCompass Recommended

South Dakota 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 Pius XII Newman Center, the Catholic mission to South Dakota State University in Brookings, is across from Ben Reifel Hall and is led by a chaplain and director, Fr. Patrick Grode, according to its staff page. Its site lists Mass on four weekdays, on Saturday and at two Sunday times, weekly confession, and weekday adoration. FOCUS, a Knights of Columbus council and a pro-life student group are listed among its activities.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 6

Monday–Wednesday5:30 PMPius XII Newman Center, 1321 8th St, Brookings · Summer schedule varies per the Mass page.
Thursday8:00 PMPius XII Newman Center, 1321 8th St, Brookings · Newman Night candlelight Mass; the Mass page says 8 or 9 PM.
Friday7:00 AMPius XII Newman Center, 1321 8th St, Brookings · First Friday of the month only (the home page says no Friday Mass; see gaps).
Saturday12:00 PMPius XII Newman Center, 1321 8th St, Brookings · Not held on the first Saturday of the month.
Sunday10:30 AMPius XII Newman Center, 1321 8th St, Brookings
Sunday6:30 PMPius XII Newman Center, 1321 8th St, Brookings · Not offered during summer.

Confession 2

Monday–Thursday4:30 PMPius XII Newman Center, 1321 8th St, Brookings · Until 5:15 PM, per the reconciliation page.
Saturday11:00 AMPius XII Newman Center, 1321 8th St, Brookings · Until 11:45 AM, per the reconciliation page (the home page says until noon).

Adoration 2

Monday–Friday7:00 AMPius XII Newman Center, 1321 8th St, Brookings · Until 12:00 PM.
Wednesday12:00 PMPius XII Newman Center, 1321 8th St, Brookings · Until 5:30 PM.

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 (3)

Mass - Pius XII Newman Centerpiusxiinewman.com/mass · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Monday-Wednesday – 5:30 pm* Thursday – 8pm or 9 pm*”
The ministry's Mass page lists Masses at 5:30 PM Monday through Wednesday and at 8 PM (or 9 PM) on Thursday.
“Monday-Wednesday – 5:30 pm* Thursday – 8pm or 9 pm*”
The ministry's Mass page lists Masses at 5:30 PM Monday through Wednesday and at 8 PM (or 9 PM) on Thursday.
“Friday – Only on First Friday at 7am”
The ministry's Mass page lists a Friday Mass at 7 AM only on the first Friday of the month.
“Saturday – Noon (not on First Saturday, however St. Thomas More offers this)”
The ministry's Mass page lists a Saturday noon Mass, not held on the first Saturday.
“Weekend Masses 10:30am 6:30pm**”
The ministry's Mass page lists weekend Masses at 10:30 AM and 6:30 PM; the 6:30 PM Mass is not offered during summer.
“Weekend Masses 10:30am 6:30pm**”
The ministry's Mass page lists weekend Masses at 10:30 AM and 6:30 PM; the 6:30 PM Mass is not offered during summer.
Reconciliation - Pius XII Newman Centerpiusxiinewman.com/reconciliation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“M-Th 4:30-5:15pm Sat 11am-11:45am.”
The reconciliation page lists confession Monday through Thursday 4:30-5:15 PM and Saturday 11 AM to 11:45 AM.
“M-Th 4:30-5:15pm Sat 11am-11:45am.”
The reconciliation page lists confession Monday through Thursday 4:30-5:15 PM and Saturday 11 AM to 11:45 AM.
Eucharistic Adoration - Pius XII Newman Centerpiusxiinewman.com/adoration · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Daily Adoration Monday thru Friday 7 AM to 12 PM”
The ministry lists Eucharistic adoration Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 12 PM.
“Additional Hours on Wednesday from Noon until 5:30 PM”
The ministry lists additional adoration on Wednesdays from noon until 5:30 PM.

Catholic churches nearby

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

Pope Pius XII Newman Center — 0.2 mi · 1321 8th Street, Brookings
St Thomas More Catholic Church — 1.5 mi · 1700 8th Street South, Brookings
St. Thomas More Catholic Church — 1.5 mi · 1700 8th Street South

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.

Catholic life on campus

90 of 100 points on what we could document.

Yes:
Catholic campus ministry serving this campus (Catholic center, campus ministry, or chaplaincy)Yes (The ministry describes itself as the Catholic mission to SDSU.)
Sources (1)
1. About & Staff - Pius XII Newman Centerpiusxiinewman.com/about · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Pius XII Newman Center is the Catholic mission to South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD.”
  The ministry states that it is the Catholic mission to South Dakota State University.
Yes:
Dedicated Catholic center or chapel on or next to campusYes (Dedicated Catholic center with a chapel, across from Ben Reifel Hall.)
Sources (1)
1. About & Staff - Pius XII Newman Centerpiusxiinewman.com/about · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Located on the intersection of 14th Ave and 8th St and right across from Ben Reifel Hall”
  The ministry's building is at 14th Ave and 8th St, across from Ben Reifel Hall on the SDSU campus.
  “The chapel is open 24/7 to provide refuge from the spiritual and emotional attacks of college life.”
  The ministry states that its chapel is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Yes:
Priest chaplain assigned to campus ministryFull-time priest chaplain (Fr. Patrick Grode is listed as chaplain and director of the Newman Center.)
Sources (1)
1. About & Staff - Pius XII Newman Centerpiusxiinewman.com/about · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Fr. Patrick Grode Chaplain and Director”
  Fr. Patrick Grode is listed as the ministry's chaplain and director.
Partly:
Weekday Mass at the campus ministry1–4 weekdays (Mass is listed Monday through Thursday; the Friday Mass is only on the first Friday; four regular weekdays.)
Sources (2)
1. Mass - Pius XII Newman Centerpiusxiinewman.com/mass · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Monday-Wednesday – 5:30 pm* Thursday – 8pm or 9 pm*”
  The ministry's Mass page lists Masses at 5:30 PM Monday through Wednesday and at 8 PM (or 9 PM) on Thursday.
  “Friday – Only on First Friday at 7am”
  The ministry's Mass page lists a Friday Mass at 7 AM only on the first Friday of the month.
2. Pius XII Newman Centerpiusxiinewman.com · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Monday: 5:30pm Tuesday: 5:30pm Wednesday: 5:30pm Thursday: 8:00pm Friday: No Mass”
  The home page lists Mass times and states there is no Friday Mass (this conflicts with the Mass page; see gaps).
Yes:
Sunday Mass at the campus ministry or a campus chapelTwo or more weekend Masses (Two Sunday Masses at the ministry; the 6:30 PM Mass is not offered in summer.)
Sources (1)
1. Mass - Pius XII Newman Centerpiusxiinewman.com/mass · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Weekend Masses 10:30am 6:30pm**”
  The ministry's Mass page lists weekend Masses at 10:30 AM and 6:30 PM; the 6:30 PM Mass is not offered during summer.
Yes:
Scheduled confession at the campus ministryWeekly or more often (Scheduled confession Monday through Thursday and on Saturday.)
Sources (2)
1. Reconciliation - Pius XII Newman Centerpiusxiinewman.com/reconciliation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “M-Th 4:30-5:15pm Sat 11am-11:45am.”
  The reconciliation page lists confession Monday through Thursday 4:30-5:15 PM and Saturday 11 AM to 11:45 AM.
2. Pius XII Newman Centerpiusxiinewman.com · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Mon-Thurs: 4:30-5:15pm Saturday: 11am-noon”
  The home page lists confession Monday through Thursday 4:30-5:15 PM and Saturday 11 AM to noon.
Yes:
Catholic student groups and missionary outreach (e.g., FOCUS, Saint Paul's Outreach, Knights of Columbus, Bible studies)Two or more (FOCUS, the Knights of Columbus council and Jacks for Life.)
Sources (3)
1. FOCUS - Pius XII Newman Centerpiusxiinewman.com/focus · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls has asked us to come to this campus”
  The ministry's FOCUS page states that FOCUS serves this campus at the bishop's request.
2. Pius XII Newman Knightssites.google.com/view/piusxiiknights · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Pius XII Newman Council #15457”
  The Knights of Columbus council for the Pius XII Newman Center is listed on its own site.
3. Prolife Movement - Pius XII Newman Centerpiusxiinewman.com/prolife · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Jacks for Life is an organization on the campus of South Dakota State University”
  The ministry lists Jacks for Life, a pro-life student organization on the SDSU campus.
Yes:
Formation programs (retreats, OCIA/RCIA, service, small groups)Two or more kinds (OCIA, FOCUS Bible studies and retreat registration.)
Sources (3)
1. Become Catholic - Pius XII Newman Centerpiusxiinewman.com/ocia · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is for the following:”
  The ministry offers OCIA for adults who want to become Catholic or be confirmed.
2. About & Staff - Pius XII Newman Centerpiusxiinewman.com/about · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Daily adoration, communal praying of the Liturgy of the Hours, daily Mass, frequent confession, FOCUS bible studies”
  The ministry lists FOCUS Bible studies among its formation activities.
3. FOCUS - Pius XII Newman Centerpiusxiinewman.com/focus · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Register for the Retreat”
  The ministry's FOCUS page offers a retreat registration (dates not stated).
Yes:
Catholic church within walking distance (computed from OpenStreetMap)Within 1 mile of campusComputed from OpenStreetMap church locations.
Partly:
Published weekly schedule of Mass, confession, and adoration12 to 19 times a week (19 weekly times documented: 8 Mass, 5 confession, 6 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 ministry names a chaplain and director and publishes a phone number.
Sources (2)
1. About & Staff - Pius XII Newman Centerpiusxiinewman.com/about · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Fr. Patrick Grode Chaplain and Director”
  Fr. Patrick Grode is listed as the ministry's chaplain and director.
2. Contact Us - Pius XII Newman Centerpiusxiinewman.com/contact-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Call us (605) 692-9461”
  The ministry publishes the phone number 692-9461.
Eucharistic adoration is listed Monday through Friday, and the chapel is listed as open around the clock.
Sources (2)
1. Eucharistic Adoration - Pius XII Newman Centerpiusxiinewman.com/adoration · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Daily Adoration Monday thru Friday 7 AM to 12 PM”
  The ministry lists Eucharistic adoration Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 12 PM.
2. About & Staff - Pius XII Newman Centerpiusxiinewman.com/about · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “The chapel is open 24/7 to provide refuge from the spiritual and emotional attacks of college life.”
  The ministry states that its chapel is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Confession is listed weekly, Monday through Thursday and on Saturday.
Sources (1)
1. Reconciliation - Pius XII Newman Centerpiusxiinewman.com/reconciliation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “M-Th 4:30-5:15pm Sat 11am-11:45am.”
  The reconciliation page lists confession Monday through Thursday 4:30-5:15 PM and Saturday 11 AM to 11:45 AM.

Concerns

Weekday Mass is listed on four days; the Friday Mass is offered only on the first Friday of the month.
Sources (1)
1. Mass - Pius XII Newman Centerpiusxiinewman.com/mass · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Monday-Wednesday – 5:30 pm* Thursday – 8pm or 9 pm*”
  The ministry's Mass page lists Masses at 5:30 PM Monday through Wednesday and at 8 PM (or 9 PM) on Thursday.
  “Friday – Only on First Friday at 7am”
  The ministry's Mass page lists a Friday Mass at 7 AM only on the first Friday of the month.
The 6:30 PM Sunday Mass is not offered during the summer.
Sources (1)
1. Mass - Pius XII Newman Centerpiusxiinewman.com/mass · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Weekend Masses 10:30am 6:30pm**”
  The ministry's Mass page lists weekend Masses at 10:30 AM and 6:30 PM; the 6:30 PM Mass is not offered during summer.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

The Catholic center

Pius XII Newman Center

Address: 1321 8th St, Brookings, SD 57006
Location: Next to campus
Distance from campus: 0.2 mi (straight line from the campus point in federal IPEDS data)
Facilities: chapel, lounge, study space

View on map ↗

Source: piusxiinewman.com, verified Oct. 12, 2026, piusxiinewman.com, verified Oct. 12, 2026, piusxiinewman.com, verified Oct. 12, 2026, piusxiinewman.com, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

12 groups and regular activities · 1 on campus, 0 off campus, 11 location not published

Clubs and groups 4

Jacks for LifeOn campus
Pro-life student organization on the SDSU campus.
piusxiinewman.com
FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students)
FOCUS serves SDSU at the bishop's request and leads Bible studies that students can join by sign-up form.
piusxiinewman.com, piusxiinewman.com
Pius XII Newman Council #15457 (Knights of Columbus)
Knights of Columbus council for the Newman Center.
sites.google.com
Newman Ambassadors
Student leadership group that helps plan the ministry's events.
piusxiinewman.com

Faith formation 2

Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)
Formation for adults who are not yet Catholic or who want to be confirmed.
piusxiinewman.com
FOCUS Bible studies
Bible studies for students, arranged through a sign-up form.
piusxiinewman.com

Liturgy and prayer 5

Schola Cordis Jesu
Thursdays, normally 8 PM
The ministry's a cappella group, which sings at the Newman Night candlelight Mass.
piusxiinewman.com
Newman Night candlelight Mass
Thursdays, normally 8 PM
Thursday evening Mass with candles around the sanctuary.
piusxiinewman.com, piusxiinewman.com
Praise Nights
Tuesdays, about 6-7 PM
Praise and worship held during Eucharistic adoration.
piusxiinewman.com
Eucharistic adoration
Mon-Fri 7 AM-12 PM; Wed also noon-5:30 PM
Daily adoration, staffed by half-hour sign-up slots.
piusxiinewman.com, piusxiinewman.com
Morning Prayer (Liturgy of the Hours)
Mon-Fri 8:30 AM
Communal Morning Prayer (Lauds) on weekdays.
piusxiinewman.com

Retreats 1

FOCUS retreat
A FOCUS retreat with registration on the ministry's FOCUS page; dates not stated.
piusxiinewman.com

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

Pius XII Newman Center

Sources (1)

About & Staff - Pius XII Newman Centerpiusxiinewman.com/about · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Pius XII Newman Center is the Catholic mission to South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD.”
The ministry states that it is the Catholic mission to South Dakota State University.
“Fr. Patrick Grode Chaplain and Director”
Fr. Patrick Grode is listed as the ministry's chaplain and director.
“Pius XII Newman Center is the Catholic mission to South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD.”
The ministry states that it is the Catholic mission to South Dakota State University.
“Our Mailing Address: Pius XII Newman Center. 1321 8th St. Brookings, SD 57006”
The ministry's mailing address is 1321 8th St., Brookings, SD 57006.
“Located on the intersection of 14th Ave and 8th St and right across from Ben Reifel Hall”
The ministry's building is at 14th Ave and 8th St, across from Ben Reifel Hall on the SDSU campus.
“The chapel is open 24/7 to provide refuge from the spiritual and emotional attacks of college life.”
The ministry states that its chapel is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Reach out

Contact details for Fr. Patrick Grode (Chaplain and Director) and 5 official social and news channels 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

66 of 100

From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

Graduation rate 35% of score62%
First-year retention 20% of score84%
Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreSAT 1,120 · ACT 22
Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of score17 to 1
Instructional spending per student 15% of score$10,257

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.

Value and outcomes
Undergraduate students Fall enrollment (IPEDS)	10,177
Total students	11,498
Average net price (per year) After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid	$19,841
Cost of attendance (per year)	$24,636
Median federal debt at graduation	$23,250
Graduation rate First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time	62%
First-year retention	84%
Median earnings 10 years after entry	$55,070
Admission rate	98%
Students receiving Pell grants	17%

Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT	1120
SAT reading & writing	530–610
SAT math	530–630
ACT composite	19–25
Test policy	Considered but not required

Value index: 56 / 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 Sioux Falls

The Most Reverend Donald E. DeGrood, Bishop of Sioux Falls

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Source: sfcatholic.org, sfcatholic.org, usccb.org, verified Oct. 7, 2026.

Diocese determined from the county using NCES Catholic school records. Confirm with the diocese.

About this school’s data

IPEDS unit ID 219356
Carnegie classification: Doctoral university (high research)
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (U.S. Department of Education DAPIP)
Report an error or a newer source

Questions families ask

Is South Dakota State University a Catholic college?: No. South Dakota State University is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by Pius XII Newman Center.
What is South Dakota State University’s Catholic Life Score?: 84 out of 100 (grade A). 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 South Dakota State University?: Mass is listed at Pius XII Newman Center, 1321 8th St and Brookings. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.
Is South Dakota State University Compass Recommended?: Yes. South Dakota State University meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic life on campus.

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