Is Southeast Missouri State University a Catholic college?

No. Southeast Missouri State University is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by St. John Henry Newman Center.

Where is Mass celebrated at Southeast Missouri State University?

Mass is listed at St. John Henry Newman Center. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.

Is Southeast Missouri State University Compass Recommended?

Yes. Southeast Missouri State University meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic life on campus.

College · Catholic life on campus

Southeast Missouri State University

LocationCape Girardeau, MO
Type and sizePublic · 4-year · 9,686 students

Official website Campus Ministry Honor Roll badge

Catholic Life Score

Catholic life 75%Academics 25%

ACatholic life
96 of 100

DAcademics
52 of 100

Verified Oct. 12, 2026 · How the score works

Campus Ministry Honor RollCompass RecommendedWhat the badges mean

Southeast Missouri 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 campus ministry for Southeast Missouri State University is the St. John Henry Newman Center at 512 N Pacific St. in Cape Girardeau, led by Fr. Jesse Hiett as director and chaplain. Its semester schedule lists Mass every weekday and twice on Sunday, confession and adoration on five weekdays, FOCUS missionaries, student-led Bible studies, an Aquinas Institute course series and a fall retreat.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 4

Sunday9:30 AMSt. John Henry Newman Center · Sunday Mass in English, semester schedule.
Sunday6:00 PMSt. John Henry Newman Center · Sunday Mass in English, semester schedule.
Monday, Thursday5:15 PMSt. John Henry Newman Center · Weekday Mass, semester schedule.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday12:00 PMSt. John Henry Newman Center · Weekday Mass, semester schedule.

Confession 3

Monday, Thursday4:00 PMSt. John Henry Newman Center · Ends 5:00 PM. Also available by appointment with Fr. Hiett.
Tuesday6:00 PMSt. John Henry Newman Center · Ends 7:00 PM. Also available by appointment with Fr. Hiett.
Wednesday, Friday10:45 AMSt. John Henry Newman Center · Ends 11:45 AM. Also available by appointment with Fr. Hiett.

Adoration 3

Monday, Thursday4:00 PMSt. John Henry Newman Center · Ends 5:00 PM. Semester schedule.
Tuesday6:00 PMSt. John Henry Newman Center · Ends 7:00 PM. Semester schedule; precedes SEMO Catholic Night.
Wednesday, Friday10:45 AMSt. John Henry Newman Center · Ends 11:45 AM. Semester schedule.

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 (1)

St. John Henry Newman Center | Cape Girardeau, MOsemocatholic.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Sunday Mass Schedule Sunday: 9:30 AM English English EN 6:00 PM English English EN”
Sunday Mass is listed at 9:30 AM and 6:00 PM in the semester sacrament schedule.
“Sunday Mass Schedule Sunday: 9:30 AM English English EN 6:00 PM English English EN”
Sunday Mass is listed at 9:30 AM and 6:00 PM in the semester sacrament schedule.
“Daily Mass Schedule Mon Thu 5:15 PM English English EN Tue Wed Fri 12:00 PM”
Weekday Mass is listed Monday through Friday: 5:15 PM Monday and Thursday, 12:00 PM Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
“Daily Mass Schedule Mon Thu 5:15 PM English English EN Tue Wed Fri 12:00 PM”
Weekday Mass is listed Monday through Friday: 5:15 PM Monday and Thursday, 12:00 PM Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
“Confession Mon Thu 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM Tuesday: 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM Wednesday: 10:45 AM to 11:45 AM Friday: 10:45 AM to 11:45 AM”
Confession is listed on five weekdays in the semester sacrament schedule.
“Confession Mon Thu 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM Tuesday: 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM Wednesday: 10:45 AM to 11:45 AM Friday: 10:45 AM to 11:45 AM”
Confession is listed on five weekdays in the semester sacrament schedule.
“Confession Mon Thu 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM Tuesday: 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM Wednesday: 10:45 AM to 11:45 AM Friday: 10:45 AM to 11:45 AM”
Confession is listed on five weekdays in the semester sacrament schedule.
“Adoration Mon Thu 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM Tuesday: 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM Wed Fri 10:45 AM to 11:45 AM”
Adoration is listed on five weekdays in the semester sacrament schedule.
“Adoration Mon Thu 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM Tuesday: 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM Wed Fri 10:45 AM to 11:45 AM”
Adoration is listed on five weekdays in the semester sacrament schedule.
“Adoration Mon Thu 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM Tuesday: 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM Wed Fri 10:45 AM to 11:45 AM”
Adoration is listed on five weekdays in the semester sacrament schedule.

Catholic churches nearby

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

Catholic Campus Ministry — 0.2 mi
Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Annunciation — 0.7 mi · 615 William Street, Cape Girardeau
Saint Vincents Church — 1.0 mi · 131 South Main Street, Cape Girardeau

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

96 of 100 points on what we could document.

Yes:
Catholic campus ministry serving this campus (Catholic center, campus ministry, or chaplaincy)Yes
Sources (2)
1. Find A Church | Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeaudioscg.org/about/find-a-church · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Cape Girardeau, Catholic Campus Ministry, St. John Henry Newman Chapel”
  The diocese lists a Catholic Campus Ministry with St. John Henry Newman Chapel in Cape Girardeau.
2. St. John Henry Newman Center, Cape Girardeau, MO | Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeaudioscg.org/about/find-a-church/st-john-henry-newman-center-cape-girardeau-mo · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “St. John Henry Newman Center at SEMO — Cape Girardeau, MO”
  The diocese identifies the St. John Henry Newman Center as the Newman Center at Southeast Missouri State University.
Yes:
Dedicated Catholic center or chapel on or next to campusYes (Dedicated Newman Center at 512 N Pacific St. distance from campus is computed from the address.)
Sources (1)
1. St. John Henry Newman Center | Cape Girardeau, MOsemocatholic.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “St. John Henry Newman Center | 512 N Pacific St. Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 | (573) 335 - 3899”
  The St. John Henry Newman Center is at 512 N Pacific St., Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.
Yes:
Priest chaplain assigned to campus ministryFull-time priest chaplain (Fr. Jesse Hiett is named Director & Chaplain.)
Sources (2)
1. St. John Henry Newman Center, Cape Girardeau, MO | Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeaudioscg.org/about/find-a-church/st-john-henry-newman-center-cape-girardeau-mo · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Director & Chaplain: Fr. Jesse Hiett”
  The diocese lists Fr. Jesse Hiett as Director and Chaplain of the Newman Center.
2. Staff | St. John Henry Newman Centersemocatholic.org/staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Father Jesse Hiett Director”
  Father Jesse Hiett is listed as Director of the Newman Center.
Yes:
Weekday Mass at the campus ministryEvery weekday (5 or more weekdays) (Weekday Mass is listed Monday and Thursday at 5:15 PM and Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 12:00 PM.)
Sources (1)
1. St. John Henry Newman Center | Cape Girardeau, MOsemocatholic.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Daily Mass Schedule Mon Thu 5:15 PM English English EN Tue Wed Fri 12:00 PM”
  Weekday Mass is listed Monday through Friday: 5:15 PM Monday and Thursday, 12:00 PM Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
Yes:
Sunday Mass at the campus ministry or a campus chapelTwo or more weekend Masses (Two Sunday Masses are listed: 9:30 AM and 6:00 PM.)
Sources (1)
1. St. John Henry Newman Center | Cape Girardeau, MOsemocatholic.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Sunday Mass Schedule Sunday: 9:30 AM English English EN 6:00 PM English English EN”
  Sunday Mass is listed at 9:30 AM and 6:00 PM in the semester sacrament schedule.
Yes:
Scheduled confession at the campus ministryWeekly or more often (Scheduled confession is listed Monday through Friday; confession is also available by appointment.)
Sources (1)
1. St. John Henry Newman Center | Cape Girardeau, MOsemocatholic.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Confession Mon Thu 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM Tuesday: 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM Wednesday: 10:45 AM to 11:45 AM Friday: 10:45 AM to 11:45 AM”
  Confession is listed on five weekdays in the semester sacrament schedule.
  “Confessions also by appointment; Fr. Hiett (frhiett@semocatholic.org)”
  Confession is also available by appointment with Fr. Hiett.
Yes:
Catholic student groups and missionary outreach (e.g., FOCUS, Saint Paul's Outreach, Knights of Columbus, Bible studies)Two or more (FOCUS missionaries serve the campus, and student-led small-group Bible studies are offered.)
Sources (3)
1. Campuses | FOCUSfocus.org/about/campuses · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Southeast Missouri State University”
  FOCUS lists Southeast Missouri State University among the campuses it serves.
2. Staff | St. John Henry Newman Centersemocatholic.org/staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Zach Bleckler FOCUS Missionary Director”
  The Newman Center staff page lists a FOCUS missionary director serving the campus.
3. Small Group Bible Study | St. John Henry Newman Centersemocatholic.org/biblestudy · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “The commitment is about one hour a week and our bible studies at SEMO are all student-led.”
  Student-led small-group Bible studies meet about one hour a week.
Yes:
Formation programs (retreats, OCIA/RCIA, service, small groups)Two or more kinds (Three kinds listed: an overnight retreat, OCIA for adults, and small-group Bible study.)
Sources (3)
1. Awakening | St. John Henry Newman Centersemocatholic.org/awakening · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Location: Pinecrest Camp & Conference Center When: November 6 - 8, 2026”
  The Awakening fall retreat is listed for November 6 to 8, 2026 at Pinecrest Camp & Conference Center.
2. Baptism & Confirmation | St. John Henry Newman Centersemocatholic.org/ocia · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “It is the process of becoming a member of the Catholic Church as an adult.”
  The center offers OCIA, the process for adults to join the Catholic Church.
3. Small Group Bible Study | St. John Henry Newman Centersemocatholic.org/biblestudy · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “The commitment is about one hour a week and our bible studies at SEMO are all student-led.”
  Student-led small-group Bible studies meet about one hour a week.
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 (17 weekly times documented: 7 Mass, 5 confession, 5 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

Mass is listed every weekday and twice on Sunday in the semester schedule.
Sources (1)
1. St. John Henry Newman Center | Cape Girardeau, MOsemocatholic.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Sunday Mass Schedule Sunday: 9:30 AM English English EN 6:00 PM English English EN”
  Sunday Mass is listed at 9:30 AM and 6:00 PM in the semester sacrament schedule.
  “Daily Mass Schedule Mon Thu 5:15 PM English English EN Tue Wed Fri 12:00 PM”
  Weekday Mass is listed Monday through Friday: 5:15 PM Monday and Thursday, 12:00 PM Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
Confession and adoration are listed on five weekdays, and a director and chaplain is named.
Sources (2)
1. St. John Henry Newman Center | Cape Girardeau, MOsemocatholic.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Confession Mon Thu 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM Tuesday: 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM Wednesday: 10:45 AM to 11:45 AM Friday: 10:45 AM to 11:45 AM”
  Confession is listed on five weekdays in the semester sacrament schedule.
  “Adoration Mon Thu 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM Tuesday: 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM Wed Fri 10:45 AM to 11:45 AM”
  Adoration is listed on five weekdays in the semester sacrament schedule.
2. Staff | St. John Henry Newman Centersemocatholic.org/staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Father Jesse Hiett Director”
  Father Jesse Hiett is listed as Director of the Newman Center.
Student-led Bible studies, FOCUS missionaries and a fall retreat are listed.
Sources (3)
1. Small Group Bible Study | St. John Henry Newman Centersemocatholic.org/biblestudy · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “The commitment is about one hour a week and our bible studies at SEMO are all student-led.”
  Student-led small-group Bible studies meet about one hour a week.
2. Campuses | FOCUSfocus.org/about/campuses · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Southeast Missouri State University”
  FOCUS lists Southeast Missouri State University among the campuses it serves.
3. Awakening | St. John Henry Newman Centersemocatholic.org/awakening · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Location: Pinecrest Camp & Conference Center When: November 6 - 8, 2026”
  The Awakening fall retreat is listed for November 6 to 8, 2026 at Pinecrest Camp & Conference Center.

Concerns

Apart from FOCUS and the Bible studies, the pages show no other Catholic student organization.
Sources (2)
1. Small Group Bible Study | St. John Henry Newman Centersemocatholic.org/biblestudy · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “The commitment is about one hour a week and our bible studies at SEMO are all student-led.”
  Student-led small-group Bible studies meet about one hour a week.
2. Campuses | FOCUSfocus.org/about/campuses · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Southeast Missouri State University”
  FOCUS lists Southeast Missouri State University among the campuses it serves.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

The Catholic center

St. John Henry Newman Center

Address: 512 N Pacific St., Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
Distance from campus: 0.1 mi (straight line from the campus point in federal IPEDS data)
Facilities: chapel (St. John Henry Newman Chapel, per the diocese)

View on map ↗

Source: dioscg.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026, semocatholic.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

6 groups and regular activities · 0 on campus, 1 off campus, 5 location not published

Retreats 1

Awakening Fall RetreatOff campus
November 6-8, 2026
Fall retreat at Pinecrest Camp & Conference Center; registration required.
semocatholic.org

Faith formation 3

Small Group Bible Study
About one hour a week; a leader contacts students to match them to a group
Student-led small-group Bible studies organized through the Newman Center.
semocatholic.org
Aquinas Institute for Catholic Studies
Accredited one-credit courses in the Catholic intellectual tradition, taken through a partnership with Saint Louis University; students may submit them for transfer to SEMO.
semocatholic.org
OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
Process for adults who want to join the Catholic Church, leading to baptism or confirmation.
semocatholic.org

Clubs and groups 1

FOCUS missionaries
FOCUS missionaries are listed as serving with the Newman Center staff at SEMO.
focus.org, semocatholic.org

Social life 1

SEMO Catholic Night
Tuesdays 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM, after 6:00 PM adoration
Weekly student gathering run by the Newman Center, held on Tuesday evenings.
semocatholic.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

St. John Henry Newman Center

Sources (3)

Find A Church | Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeaudioscg.org/about/find-a-church · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Cape Girardeau, Catholic Campus Ministry, St. John Henry Newman Chapel”
The diocese lists a Catholic Campus Ministry with St. John Henry Newman Chapel in Cape Girardeau.
“Cape Girardeau, Catholic Campus Ministry, St. John Henry Newman Chapel”
The diocese lists a Catholic Campus Ministry with St. John Henry Newman Chapel in Cape Girardeau.
St. John Henry Newman Center, Cape Girardeau, MO | Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeaudioscg.org/about/find-a-church/st-john-henry-newman-center-cape-girardeau-mo · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“St. John Henry Newman Center at SEMO — Cape Girardeau, MO”
The diocese identifies the St. John Henry Newman Center as the Newman Center at Southeast Missouri State University.
St. John Henry Newman Center | Cape Girardeau, MOsemocatholic.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“St. John Henry Newman Center | 512 N Pacific St. Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 | (573) 335 - 3899”
The St. John Henry Newman Center is at 512 N Pacific St., Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.

Reach out

Contact details for Fr. Jesse Hiett (Director & Chaplain) and 1 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

52 of 100

From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

Graduation rate 35% of score58%
First-year retention 20% of score76%
Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreSAT 950 · ACT 17.5
Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of score20 to 1
Instructional spending per student 15% of score$6,248

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 · Ohio Valley Conference
Setting	City
ROTC	Air Force
Study abroad	Offered
Students per faculty member	20 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)	8,099
Total students	9,686
Average net price (per year) After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid	$15,882
Cost of attendance (per year)	$25,177
Median federal debt at graduation	$21,500
Graduation rate First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time	58%
First-year retention	76%
Median earnings 10 years after entry	$44,030
Admission rate	74%
Students receiving Pell grants	30%

Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT	950
SAT reading & writing	—
SAT math	—
ACT composite	15–20
Test policy	Considered but not required

Value index: 53 / 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 Springfield-Cape Girardeau

The Most Reverend Edward M. Rice, Bishop of Springfield-Cape Girardeau

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Source: dioscg.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 179557
Carnegie classification: Master's university (larger programs)
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (U.S. Department of Education DAPIP)
Report an error or a newer source
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Questions families ask

Is Southeast Missouri State University a Catholic college?: No. Southeast Missouri State University is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by St. John Henry Newman Center.
What is Southeast Missouri State University’s Catholic Life Score?: 85 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 Southeast Missouri State University?: Mass is listed at St. John Henry Newman Center. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.
Is Southeast Missouri State University Compass Recommended?: Yes. Southeast Missouri State University meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic life on campus.

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