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Southern Illinois University-Carbondale: Pulliam Hall (SIU)
Photo: Veeresh dandur, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

College · Catholic life on campus

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

  • LocationCarbondale, IL
  • Type and sizePublic · 4-year · 11,359 students
Official website

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is not a Catholic college. This rating measures Catholic life on campus: campus ministry, priests, Mass and confession, student groups, and nearby parishes.

The SIUC Newman Center (Newman Catholic Student Center) at 715 S. Washington Street in Carbondale serves Catholic students and community members. It lists Mass on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:15 PM and on Sundays at 11:15 AM, weekly confession on Tuesday evenings, Bible studies and small groups, a fall retreat, and OCIA. The chaplain named on the staff page is also pastor of a parish in Murphysboro.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 5

  • Tuesday, Thursday5:15 PMSIUC Newman Center
  • Sunday11:15 AMSIUC Newman Center
  • Saturday6:00 PMSt. Francis Xavier, Carbondale
  • Sunday9:00 AMSt. Francis Xavier, Carbondale
  • Sunday12:15 PMSt. Francis Xavier, Carbondale · Spanish-language Mass.

Confession 3

  • Tuesday5:45 PMSIUC Newman Center · Listed as 5:45 to 6:45 PM.
  • Saturday5:00 PMSt. Francis Xavier, Carbondale · Listed as 5:00 to 5:45 PM.
  • Sunday8:00 AMSt. Francis Xavier, Carbondale · Listed as 8:00 to 8:45 AM.

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)
  1. Mass Times | SIUC Newman Centersiucnewman.org/blog/spiritual/mass-times · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Newman Center, Sunday at 11:15am and Tuesday and Thursday at 5:15pm”
    The Newman Center's Mass times page lists Sunday Mass at 11:15 AM and Tuesday and Thursday Mass at 5:15 PM.
    “Newman Center, Sunday at 11:15am and Tuesday and Thursday at 5:15pm”
    The Newman Center's Mass times page lists Sunday Mass at 11:15 AM and Tuesday and Thursday Mass at 5:15 PM.
    “Newman Center, Tuesday 5:45pm-6:45pm”
    The Newman Center's Mass times page lists confession on Tuesday, 5:45 to 6:45 PM.
    “St. Francis Xavier, Saturday at 6:00pm & Sunday at 9:00am and 12:15pm (Spanish)”
    The Newman Center's Mass times page lists Saturday Mass at 6:00 PM and Sunday Masses at 9:00 AM and 12:15 PM (Spanish) at St. Francis Xavier.
    “St. Francis Xavier, Saturday at 6:00pm & Sunday at 9:00am and 12:15pm (Spanish)”
    The Newman Center's Mass times page lists Saturday Mass at 6:00 PM and Sunday Masses at 9:00 AM and 12:15 PM (Spanish) at St. Francis Xavier.
    “St. Francis Xavier, Saturday at 6:00pm & Sunday at 9:00am and 12:15pm (Spanish)”
    The Newman Center's Mass times page lists Saturday Mass at 6:00 PM and Sunday Masses at 9:00 AM and 12:15 PM (Spanish) at St. Francis Xavier.
    “St. Francis, Saturday 5:00pm-5:45pm, Sunday 8:00am-8:45am”
    The Newman Center's Mass times page lists confession at St. Francis on Saturday, 5:00 to 5:45 PM, and Sunday, 8:00 to 8:45 AM.
    “St. Francis, Saturday 5:00pm-5:45pm, Sunday 8:00am-8:45am”
    The Newman Center's Mass times page lists confession at St. Francis on Saturday, 5:00 to 5:45 PM, and Sunday, 8:00 to 8:45 AM.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches0.25 mi0.5 mi1 miNewman Center: 0.3 mi1Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church: 0.7 mi2SIUC Newman Center (Newman Catholic Student Center): 0.3 miSouthern Illinois University-Carbondale (campus)N0.5 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Newman Center — 0.3 mi · 715 South Washington Street, Carbondale
  2. Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church — 0.7 mi · 303 South Poplar Street, Carbondale

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

78 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. About Us | SIUC Newman Centersiucnewman.org/blog/about-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Newman Catholic Student Center serves the Catholic community at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, both university students and community members.”
      The Newman Catholic Student Center states that it serves the Catholic community at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.
    2. Newman Center | Diocese of Bellevillediobelle.org/directory/parishes/newman-center-carbondale · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Street Address | 715 S. Washington Street Carbondale, IL 62901”
      The Diocese of Belleville lists the Newman Center at 715 S. Washington Street, Carbondale.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Dedicated Catholic center or chapel on or next to campusYes (Newman Center building at 715 S. Washington Street, with its own parking lot. Distance from campus is computed from the address.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Newman Center | Diocese of Bellevillediobelle.org/directory/parishes/newman-center-carbondale · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Street Address | 715 S. Washington Street Carbondale, IL 62901”
      The Diocese of Belleville lists the Newman Center at 715 S. Washington Street, Carbondale.
    2. Parking Lot Information | SIUC Newman Centersiucnewman.org/blog/parking-lot-information · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Newman Center owns a parking lot on Washington Street with many spots available for use.”
      The Newman Center owns a parking lot on Washington Street.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Priest chaplain assigned to campus ministryPart-time or shared priest (Fr. Joel Seipp is named chaplain and is also pastor of St. Andrew in Murphysboro. Fr. Joseph Brown, S.J. is listed as Newman Associate and is also an SIU professor.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Staff | SIUC Newman Centersiucnewman.org/blog/staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Chaplain: Fr. Joel Seipp (Pastor of St. Andrew in Murphysboro)”
      Fr. Joel Seipp is listed as chaplain and as pastor of St. Andrew in Murphysboro.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Weekday Mass at the campus ministry1–4 weekdays (Two weekday Masses at the Newman Center (Tuesday and Thursday, 5:15 PM). Weekday noon Masses listed at the parish are not counted.)
    Sources (3)
    1. Mass Times | SIUC Newman Centersiucnewman.org/blog/spiritual/mass-times · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Newman Center, Sunday at 11:15am and Tuesday and Thursday at 5:15pm”
      The Newman Center's Mass times page lists Sunday Mass at 11:15 AM and Tuesday and Thursday Mass at 5:15 PM.
    2. About Us | SIUC Newman Centersiucnewman.org/blog/about-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Daily Masses are Tuesday 5:15pm and Thursday 5:15pm, with Confession after the Tuesday Mass.”
      The About Us page lists daily Masses at the Newman Center on Tuesday and Thursday at 5:15 PM.
    3. Newman Center | Diocese of Bellevillediobelle.org/directory/parishes/newman-center-carbondale · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Weekday Mass Tuesday and Thursday: 5:15 p.m.”
      The diocese lists weekday Mass on Tuesday and Thursday at 5:15 p.m. at the Newman 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 (Sunday Mass at 11:15 AM at the Newman Center. The About Us page gives a noon Sunday Mass instead (see research notes).)
    Sources (2)
    1. Mass Times | SIUC Newman Centersiucnewman.org/blog/spiritual/mass-times · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Newman Center, Sunday at 11:15am and Tuesday and Thursday at 5:15pm”
      The Newman Center's Mass times page lists Sunday Mass at 11:15 AM and Tuesday and Thursday Mass at 5:15 PM.
    2. Newman Center | Diocese of Bellevillediobelle.org/directory/parishes/newman-center-carbondale · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Weekend Mass Sunday: 11:15 a.m.”
      The diocese lists Sunday Mass at 11:15 a.m. at the Newman Center.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Scheduled confession at the campus ministryWeekly or more often (Tuesday confession, 5:45 to 6:45 PM, at the Newman Center.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Mass Times | SIUC Newman Centersiucnewman.org/blog/spiritual/mass-times · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Newman Center, Tuesday 5:45pm-6:45pm”
      The Newman Center's Mass times page lists confession on Tuesday, 5:45 to 6:45 PM.
    2. Newman Center | Diocese of Bellevillediobelle.org/directory/parishes/newman-center-carbondale · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Reconciliation Tuesday Mass: 5:45 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.”
      The diocese lists reconciliation on Tuesday, 5:45 to 6:45 p.m.
  • 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 (Newman-run Bible studies and small groups for Fall 2026, including a women's Bible study, a men's small group and a co-ed book study.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Small Groups | SIUC Newman Centersiucnewman.org/blog/small-groups · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Monday at 6:00pm: Women’s bible study led by Molly and Katelyn”
      The Newman Center lists a women's Bible study on Mondays at 6:00 PM for Fall 2026.
      “Tuesday at 7:00pm: Co-ed Narnia book study led by Cameron”
      The Newman Center lists a co-ed book study on Tuesdays at 7:00 PM for Fall 2026.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Formation programs (retreats, OCIA/RCIA, service, small groups)Two or more kinds (Kinds listed: retreats, OCIA, small groups, and service in liturgical and music ministries.)
    Sources (3)
    1. Retreats | SIUC Newman Centersiucnewman.org/blog/student-stuff/retreats · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Our next retreat is our Awakenings Retreat, taking place October 9-11th!”
      The Newman Center offers retreats; the Awakenings Retreat is its next retreat.
    2. OCIA | SIUC Newman Centersiucnewman.org/blog/rcia · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “During the SIU Fall Semester our sessions are held at Newman in the snack bar at 7:00pm.”
      The Newman Center runs OCIA, with fall sessions at 7:00 PM in the Newman snack bar.
    3. Serving at Newman | SIUC Newman Centersiucnewman.org/blog/serving-at-newman · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Liturgical Ministry Lector Eucharistic Minister”
      The Newman Center lists service roles in liturgical ministry, including lector and Eucharistic minister.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic church within walking distance (computed from OpenStreetMap)Within 1 mile of campusComputed 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 adoration6 to 11 times a week (9 weekly times documented: 6 Mass, 3 confession, 0 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 at the Newman Center on Tuesday and Thursday at 5:15 PM and on Sunday at 11:15 AM.
    Sources (2)
    1. Mass Times | SIUC Newman Centersiucnewman.org/blog/spiritual/mass-times · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Newman Center, Sunday at 11:15am and Tuesday and Thursday at 5:15pm”
      The Newman Center's Mass times page lists Sunday Mass at 11:15 AM and Tuesday and Thursday Mass at 5:15 PM.
    2. About Us | SIUC Newman Centersiucnewman.org/blog/about-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Daily Masses are Tuesday 5:15pm and Thursday 5:15pm, with Confession after the Tuesday Mass.”
      The About Us page lists daily Masses at the Newman Center on Tuesday and Thursday at 5:15 PM.
  • Confession is listed weekly at the Newman Center, on Tuesday evenings.
    Sources (1)
    1. Mass Times | SIUC Newman Centersiucnewman.org/blog/spiritual/mass-times · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Newman Center, Tuesday 5:45pm-6:45pm”
      The Newman Center's Mass times page lists confession on Tuesday, 5:45 to 6:45 PM.
  • Several formation options are listed: Bible studies and small groups, a retreat, and OCIA.
    Sources (3)
    1. Small Groups | SIUC Newman Centersiucnewman.org/blog/small-groups · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Monday at 6:00pm: Women’s bible study led by Molly and Katelyn”
      The Newman Center lists a women's Bible study on Mondays at 6:00 PM for Fall 2026.
    2. Retreats | SIUC Newman Centersiucnewman.org/blog/student-stuff/retreats · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Our next retreat is our Awakenings Retreat, taking place October 9-11th!”
      The Newman Center offers retreats; the Awakenings Retreat is its next retreat.
    3. OCIA | SIUC Newman Centersiucnewman.org/blog/rcia · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “During the SIU Fall Semester our sessions are held at Newman in the snack bar at 7:00pm.”
      The Newman Center runs OCIA, with fall sessions at 7:00 PM in the Newman snack bar.

Concerns

  • The chaplain named on the staff page is also pastor of St. Andrew in Murphysboro; the chaplaincy is listed as part-time.
    Sources (1)
    1. Staff | SIUC Newman Centersiucnewman.org/blog/staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Chaplain: Fr. Joel Seipp (Pastor of St. Andrew in Murphysboro)”
      Fr. Joel Seipp is listed as chaplain and as pastor of St. Andrew in Murphysboro.
  • Weekday Mass at the Newman Center is limited to Tuesday and Thursday; other weekday Masses are listed at St. Francis Xavier.
    Sources (2)
    1. Mass Times | SIUC Newman Centersiucnewman.org/blog/spiritual/mass-times · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Newman Center, Sunday at 11:15am and Tuesday and Thursday at 5:15pm”
      The Newman Center's Mass times page lists Sunday Mass at 11:15 AM and Tuesday and Thursday Mass at 5:15 PM.
    2. About Us | SIUC Newman Centersiucnewman.org/blog/about-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Daily Masses are Tuesday 5:15pm and Thursday 5:15pm, with Confession after the Tuesday Mass.”
      The About Us page lists daily Masses at the Newman Center on Tuesday and Thursday at 5:15 PM.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

The Catholic center

SIUC Newman Center (Newman Catholic Student Center)

  • Address: 715 S. Washington Street, Carbondale, IL 62901
  • Distance from campus: 0.3 mi (straight line from the campus point in federal IPEDS data)
  • Facilities: snack bar, parking lot, two student houses on Newman property, rented to current students

View on map ↗

Source: diobelle.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026, siucnewman.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

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

Faith formation 2

  • Small groups (women's and men's Bible studies, co-ed book study)
    Mondays 6:00 PM; Tuesdays 7:00 PM; Wednesdays 6:00 PM (Fall 2026)
    Newman small groups for Fall 2026. Sign-up is through the Newman Center or its campus minister.
    siucnewman.org, siucnewman.org
  • OCIA
    Weekly sessions beginning early September; fall sessions at 7:00 PM
    Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, for people considering the Catholic faith and for baptized Catholics completing initiation. Spring sessions meet at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.
    siucnewman.org

Retreats 1

Service 1

  • Serving at Newman (liturgical and music ministries)
    Volunteer roles at Newman liturgies, including lector, Eucharistic minister, Mass greeter, server, sacristan, and music ministry, including the 11:15 AM Mass choir.
    siucnewman.org

Social life 1

  • Thursday night dinners
    Thursday nights
    Free dinners for students, listed among the Newman Center's events and services.
    siucnewman.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 (2)
  1. About Us | SIUC Newman Centersiucnewman.org/blog/about-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “The Newman Catholic Student Center serves the Catholic community at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, both university students and community members.”
    The Newman Catholic Student Center states that it serves the Catholic community at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.
    “The Newman Catholic Student Center serves the Catholic community at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, both university students and community members.”
    The Newman Catholic Student Center states that it serves the Catholic community at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.
  2. Newman Center | Diocese of Bellevillediobelle.org/directory/parishes/newman-center-carbondale · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Street Address | 715 S. Washington Street Carbondale, IL 62901”
    The Diocese of Belleville lists the Newman Center at 715 S. Washington Street, Carbondale.
    “Street Address | 715 S. Washington Street Carbondale, IL 62901”
    The Diocese of Belleville lists the Newman Center at 715 S. Washington Street, Carbondale.

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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.
66 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.62%
  • First-year retention 20% of scoreThis measure counts for 20% of the Academic Excellence score.67%
  • Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.SAT 1,055 · ACT 21.5
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.11 to 1
  • Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$18,042

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)
8,195
Total students11,359
Average net price (per year)
After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid
$13,297
Cost of attendance (per year)$28,329
Median federal debt at graduation$21,543
Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
62%
First-year retention67%
Median earnings 10 years after entry$53,390
Admission rate87%
Students receiving Pell grants39%
Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT1055
SAT reading & writing470–590
SAT math430–570
ACT composite18–25
Test policyConsidered but not required

Value index: 65 / 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 Belleville

The Most Reverend Godfrey Mullen, OSB, Bishop of Belleville

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Source: diobelle.org, verified Oct. 7, 2026.

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Southern Illinois University-Carbondale a Catholic college?
No. Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by Newman Catholic Student Center.
What is Southern Illinois University-Carbondale’s Catholic Life Score?
75 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.
Where is Mass celebrated at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale?
Mass is listed at SIUC Newman Center, St. Francis Xavier and Carbondale. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.

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