Catholic School CompassTrue north for Catholic families.
Stanford University: Stanford University Certificate of Attendance for Simin Daneshvar (Speech and Drama), 1953
Photo: صولت الدوله, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

College · Catholic life on campus

Stanford University

  • LocationStanford, CA
  • Type and sizePrivate nonprofit · 4-year · 18,446 students
Official website
Campus Ministry Honor Roll badge

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

Stanford's Catholic ministry is the Catholic Community at Stanford, a cooperative effort of the Diocese of San Jose and the Western Dominican Province, with offices and a sanctuary on the third floor of Old Union. Weekday Mass is listed at Old Union, Sunday Masses are listed at Stanford Memorial Church, and confession is listed on Friday afternoons. Two Dominican priests are named as pastor and parochial vicar, and FOCUS Bible studies and retreats are listed.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 4

  • Sunday9:00 AMStanford Memorial Church
  • Sunday4:30 PMStanford Memorial Church · Live-streamed; the stream is temporarily unavailable during sound-system work.
  • Sunday9:00 PMStanford Memorial Church · Academic year only; begins October 4, 2026.
  • Monday–Friday12:30 PMOld Union, 3rd floor Sanctuary · Academic year 2026-2027 per the university's page; the ministry's page limits it to the end of October 2026.

Confession 1

  • Friday1:00 PM–3:00 PMOld Union 304 · Also available by appointment.

Adoration 1

  • Tuesday, Thursday8:00 PMMemorial Church · Listed under the ministry's Adoration and Confessions heading.

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 (2)
  1. Christian Religious Services | Office for Religious & Spiritual Lifeorsl.stanford.edu/christian-religious-services · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Sunday Mass Stanford Memorial Church 9:00 am, 4:30 pm”
    The university's religious life office lists Sunday Mass at Stanford Memorial Church at 9:00 AM and 4:30 PM under Catholic Community at Stanford.
    “Daily Mass Old Union, 3rd floor Sanctuary Monday - Friday, 12:30 pm”
    The university's religious life office lists daily Mass Monday to Friday at 12:30 PM in the Old Union third-floor Sanctuary.
  2. Mass Times | CC@Sweb.stanfordcatholic.org/mass-times · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Sunday Masses 9:00am Memorial Church 4:30pm Memorial Church”
    The ministry lists Sunday Masses at Memorial Church at 9:00 AM and 4:30 PM.
    “9:00pm Memorial Church (begins October 4, 2026)”
    The ministry lists a 9:00 PM Sunday Mass at Memorial Church beginning October 4, 2026.
    “Confessions Friday 1:00pm-3:00pm in Old Union 304”
    The ministry lists Friday confession from 1:00 to 3:00 PM in Old Union 304.
    “Tuesday and Thursday 8:00pm in Memorial Church”
    The ministry lists an 8:00 PM Tuesday and Thursday item at Memorial Church under its Adoration and Confessions heading.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Stanford University, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miSaint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church: 1.2 mi1Saint Raymonds Roman Catholic Church: 1.7 mi2Saint Albert the Great Roman Catholic Church: 1.8 mi3Saint Denis Catholic Church: 2.1 mi4Our Lady of the Rosary: 2.4 mi5Stanford University (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church — 1.2 mi
  2. Saint Raymonds Roman Catholic Church — 1.7 mi
  3. Saint Albert the Great Roman Catholic Church — 1.8 mi · 1095 Channing Avenue, Palo Alto
  4. Saint Denis Catholic Church — 2.1 mi · 2250
  5. Our Lady of the Rosary — 2.4 mi · 3221 Cowper Street, Palo Alto

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.

ACatholic life on campus: Strong (grade A): 85 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

92 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. Young Adult | Diocese of San Josedsj.org/evangelization/young-adult · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Stanford Catholic Ministry | https://web.stanfordcatholic.org/”
      The Diocese of San Jose lists Stanford Catholic Ministry under its young adult college campus ministries.
    2. About Us | CC@Sweb.stanfordcatholic.org/about-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “the Catholic Community at Stanford is a cooperative ministerial effort between the Diocese of San Jose and the Western Dominican Province”
      The Catholic Community at Stanford describes itself as a cooperative ministry of the Diocese of San Jose and the Western Dominican Province.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Dedicated Catholic center or chapel on or next to campusYes
    Sources (2)
    1. Parking // Finding Us | CC@Sweb.stanfordcatholic.org/visit/parking-finding-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Our offices, The Sanctuary, and The Common Room are located on the third floor.”
      The ministry's offices, Sanctuary and Common Room are on the third floor of Old Union.
    2. Contact Us | CC@Sweb.stanfordcatholic.org/visit/contact-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Catholic Community Offices Old Union, Room 304”
      The Catholic Community's offices are in Old Union, Room 304.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priest chaplain assigned to campus ministryFull-time priest chaplain (Two named Dominican priests lead the ministry as pastor and parochial vicar, and the ministry's own page describes it as a cooperative effort with the Western Dominican Province.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Meet Our Staff | CC@Sweb.stanfordcatholic.org/staff-1 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. Bart Hutcherson, OP Pastor”
      Fr. Bart Hutcherson, OP is listed as Pastor of the Catholic Community at Stanford.
      “Fr. Chrysostom Mijinke, OP Parochial Vicar”
      Fr. Chrysostom Mijinke, OP is listed as Parochial Vicar of the Catholic Community at Stanford.
    2. About Us | CC@Sweb.stanfordcatholic.org/about-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “the Catholic Community at Stanford is a cooperative ministerial effort between the Diocese of San Jose and the Western Dominican Province”
      The Catholic Community at Stanford describes itself as a cooperative ministry of the Diocese of San Jose and the Western Dominican Province.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Weekday Mass at the campus ministryEvery weekday (5 or more weekdays) (Mass is listed Monday to Friday at 12:30 PM in the Old Union Sanctuary. The ministry's page limits this to the end of October 2026; the university's page lists it for the 2026-2027 academic year.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Christian Religious Services | Office for Religious & Spiritual Lifeorsl.stanford.edu/christian-religious-services · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Daily Mass Old Union, 3rd floor Sanctuary Monday - Friday, 12:30 pm”
      The university's religious life office lists daily Mass Monday to Friday at 12:30 PM in the Old Union third-floor Sanctuary.
    2. Mass Times | CC@Sweb.stanfordcatholic.org/mass-times · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Daily Holy Hour 11:30am-12:30pm Old Union 3rd Floor Sanctuary”
      The ministry lists a daily holy hour in the Old Union third-floor Sanctuary from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Sunday Mass at the campus ministry or a campus chapelTwo or more weekend Masses (Sunday Masses at Stanford Memorial Church, a campus chapel: 9:00 AM and 4:30 PM, plus a 9:00 PM Mass listed for the academic year only.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Christian Religious Services | Office for Religious & Spiritual Lifeorsl.stanford.edu/christian-religious-services · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Sunday Mass Stanford Memorial Church 9:00 am, 4:30 pm”
      The university's religious life office lists Sunday Mass at Stanford Memorial Church at 9:00 AM and 4:30 PM under Catholic Community at Stanford.
    2. Mass Times | CC@Sweb.stanfordcatholic.org/mass-times · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Sunday Masses 9:00am Memorial Church 4:30pm Memorial Church”
      The ministry lists Sunday Masses at Memorial Church at 9:00 AM and 4:30 PM.
      “9:00pm Memorial Church (begins October 4, 2026)”
      The ministry lists a 9:00 PM Sunday Mass at Memorial Church beginning October 4, 2026.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Scheduled confession at the campus ministryWeekly or more often (Confession is listed every Friday from 1:00 to 3:00 PM in Old Union 304, and also by appointment.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Mass Times | CC@Sweb.stanfordcatholic.org/mass-times · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Confessions Friday 1:00pm-3:00pm in Old Union 304”
      The ministry lists Friday confession from 1:00 to 3:00 PM in Old Union 304.
  • 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 (Counted: the FOCUS Bible study program and the Catholic Outdoor Ministry team.)
    Sources (3)
    1. Small Groups | CC@Sweb.stanfordcatholic.org/small-groups · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Bible Study (led by our FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) missionaries) is a small-group, scripture-based program”
      The ministry lists a FOCUS-led small-group Bible study for men and women, undergraduate and graduate.
    2. Campuses | FOCUSfocus.org/about/campuses · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “University of New MexicoStanford UniversityMichigan State University”
      FOCUS lists Stanford University among the campuses it serves.
    3. Service and Outreach | CC@Sweb.stanfordcatholic.org/service-and-outreach · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “This Alternative Spring Break trip with the Catholic Outdoor Ministry team and Fr. Chrysostom”
      The ministry lists a Catholic Outdoor Ministry team that leads trips with a priest of the community.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Formation programs (retreats, OCIA/RCIA, service, small groups)Two or more kinds (Counted: retreats, Bible study small groups, and service programs.)
    Sources (3)
    1. Retreats | CC@Sweb.stanfordcatholic.org/connect/retreats · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Retreats are offered several times throughout the academic year for undergraduate and graduate students.”
      The ministry offers retreats several times during the academic year for undergraduates and graduates.
    2. Small Groups | CC@Sweb.stanfordcatholic.org/small-groups · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Bible Study (led by our FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) missionaries) is a small-group, scripture-based program”
      The ministry lists a FOCUS-led small-group Bible study for men and women, undergraduate and graduate.
    3. Service and Outreach | CC@Sweb.stanfordcatholic.org/service-and-outreach · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Join us as we cook and serve breakfast for the Opportunity Center every Monday morning during the spring quarter.”
      The ministry lists weekly Monday breakfast service with the Opportunity Center during the spring quarter.
  • 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.
  • 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 (11 weekly times documented: 8 Mass, 1 confession, 2 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 on weekdays at the ministry's Old Union Sanctuary, and on Sundays at Stanford Memorial Church.
    Sources (2)
    1. Christian Religious Services | Office for Religious & Spiritual Lifeorsl.stanford.edu/christian-religious-services · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Daily Mass Old Union, 3rd floor Sanctuary Monday - Friday, 12:30 pm”
      The university's religious life office lists daily Mass Monday to Friday at 12:30 PM in the Old Union third-floor Sanctuary.
      “Sunday Mass Stanford Memorial Church 9:00 am, 4:30 pm”
      The university's religious life office lists Sunday Mass at Stanford Memorial Church at 9:00 AM and 4:30 PM under Catholic Community at Stanford.
    2. Mass Times | CC@Sweb.stanfordcatholic.org/mass-times · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Sunday Masses 9:00am Memorial Church 4:30pm Memorial Church”
      The ministry lists Sunday Masses at Memorial Church at 9:00 AM and 4:30 PM.
  • Confession is listed each Friday afternoon in Old Union 304, and a daily holy hour is listed on weekdays.
    Sources (1)
    1. Mass Times | CC@Sweb.stanfordcatholic.org/mass-times · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Confessions Friday 1:00pm-3:00pm in Old Union 304”
      The ministry lists Friday confession from 1:00 to 3:00 PM in Old Union 304.
      “Daily Holy Hour 11:30am-12:30pm Old Union 3rd Floor Sanctuary”
      The ministry lists a daily holy hour in the Old Union third-floor Sanctuary from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM.
  • Student programs listed include FOCUS Bible study, retreats, a lecture series, and service and mission programs.
    Sources (4)
    1. Small Groups | CC@Sweb.stanfordcatholic.org/small-groups · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Bible Study (led by our FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) missionaries) is a small-group, scripture-based program”
      The ministry lists a FOCUS-led small-group Bible study for men and women, undergraduate and graduate.
    2. Retreats | CC@Sweb.stanfordcatholic.org/connect/retreats · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Retreats are offered several times throughout the academic year for undergraduate and graduate students.”
      The ministry offers retreats several times during the academic year for undergraduates and graduates.
    3. Lectures | CC@Sweb.stanfordcatholic.org/lectures · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Twice a quarter (six times a year), we bring in Dominican scholars who present lectures.”
      The ministry runs a lecture series with Dominican scholars, twice a quarter.
    4. Service and Outreach | CC@Sweb.stanfordcatholic.org/service-and-outreach · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mission trips are transformative journeys of faith, service, and cultural immersion.”
      The ministry runs mission trips, including spring break trips in 2026.
  • Two named Dominican priests are listed as the ministry's pastor and parochial vicar.
    Sources (1)
    1. Meet Our Staff | CC@Sweb.stanfordcatholic.org/staff-1 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. Bart Hutcherson, OP Pastor”
      Fr. Bart Hutcherson, OP is listed as Pastor of the Catholic Community at Stanford.
      “Fr. Chrysostom Mijinke, OP Parochial Vicar”
      Fr. Chrysostom Mijinke, OP is listed as Parochial Vicar of the Catholic Community at Stanford.

Concerns

  • Several listed Mass times are limited to the academic year, or to dates through October 2026.
    Sources (2)
    1. Mass Times | CC@Sweb.stanfordcatholic.org/mass-times · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “9:00pm Memorial Church (begins October 4, 2026)”
      The ministry lists a 9:00 PM Sunday Mass at Memorial Church beginning October 4, 2026.
    2. Christian Religious Services | Office for Religious & Spiritual Lifeorsl.stanford.edu/christian-religious-services · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Daily Mass Old Union, 3rd floor Sanctuary Monday - Friday, 12:30 pm”
      The university's religious life office lists daily Mass Monday to Friday at 12:30 PM in the Old Union third-floor Sanctuary.
  • The retreat and lecture pages say dates will be announced later.
    Sources (2)
    1. Retreats | CC@Sweb.stanfordcatholic.org/connect/retreats · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Retreats are offered several times throughout the academic year for undergraduate and graduate students.”
      The ministry offers retreats several times during the academic year for undergraduates and graduates.
    2. Lectures | CC@Sweb.stanfordcatholic.org/lectures · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Twice a quarter (six times a year), we bring in Dominican scholars who present lectures.”
      The ministry runs a lecture series with Dominican scholars, twice a quarter.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

The Catholic center

Catholic Community at Stanford (Old Union offices and Sanctuary)

  • Address: Old Union, Room 304, Stanford, CA
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: Sanctuary (third floor, Old Union), Common Room (third floor, Old Union), ministry offices

Source: web.stanfordcatholic.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026, web.stanfordcatholic.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

9 groups and regular activities · 2 on campus, 0 off campus, 7 location not published

Liturgy and prayer 2

  • Daily holy hourOn campus
    Weekdays 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
    Holy hour in the Old Union third-floor Sanctuary (through the end of October 2026 per the ministry's page).
    web.stanfordcatholic.org
  • Eucharistic adoration at Memorial ChurchOn campus
    Tuesdays and Thursdays 8 PM
    Adoration listed at Memorial Church on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
    web.stanfordcatholic.org

Faith formation 1

  • Young Dominican Scholars lecture series
    Twice a quarter
    Lectures by Dominican scholars; dates and topics to be announced.
    web.stanfordcatholic.org

Clubs and groups 2

  • FOCUS Bible Study
    Weekly small groups for men and women
    Scripture-based small-group Bible study led by FOCUS missionaries, for undergraduate and graduate students.
    web.stanfordcatholic.org, web.stanfordcatholic.org, focus.org
  • Catholic Outdoor Ministry
    Alternative Spring Break trips
    A ministry team that leads outdoor trips with Mass and prayer, including a Point Reyes trip in spring 2026.
    web.stanfordcatholic.org

Retreats 1

  • Retreats
    Several times during the academic year
    Retreats for undergraduate and graduate students; dates are to be announced.
    web.stanfordcatholic.org

Service 3

  • Opportunity Center breakfast service
    Mondays during the spring quarter, 7:00 to 8:00 AM start
    Volunteers cook breakfast and serve it at the Palo Alto Opportunity Center.
    web.stanfordcatholic.org
  • St. Anthony's Padua Dining Room meal service
    First, fourth and fifth Saturdays of each month, 8:30 AM to 1 PM
    Volunteers help prepare and serve hot meals.
    web.stanfordcatholic.org
  • Mission trips
    Spring break and other trips
    Faith, service and cultural immersion trips; 2026 trips included Christ in the City in Denver and a Point Reyes backpacking trip.
    web.stanfordcatholic.org, web.stanfordcatholic.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 (5)
  1. Young Adult | Diocese of San Josedsj.org/evangelization/young-adult · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Stanford Catholic Ministry | https://web.stanfordcatholic.org/”
    The Diocese of San Jose lists Stanford Catholic Ministry under its young adult college campus ministries.
  2. About Us | CC@Sweb.stanfordcatholic.org/about-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “the Catholic Community at Stanford is a cooperative ministerial effort between the Diocese of San Jose and the Western Dominican Province”
    The Catholic Community at Stanford describes itself as a cooperative ministry of the Diocese of San Jose and the Western Dominican Province.
  3. Christian Religious Services | Office for Religious & Spiritual Lifeorsl.stanford.edu/christian-religious-services · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Sunday Mass Stanford Memorial Church 9:00 am, 4:30 pm”
    The university's religious life office lists Sunday Mass at Stanford Memorial Church at 9:00 AM and 4:30 PM under Catholic Community at Stanford.
  4. Parking // Finding Us | CC@Sweb.stanfordcatholic.org/visit/parking-finding-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Our offices, The Sanctuary, and The Common Room are located on the third floor.”
    The ministry's offices, Sanctuary and Common Room are on the third floor of Old Union.
  5. Contact Us | CC@Sweb.stanfordcatholic.org/visit/contact-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Catholic Community Offices Old Union, Room 304”
    The Catholic Community's offices are in Old Union, Room 304.

Reach out

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Academic Excellence

AAcademic Excellence: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
100 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.92%
  • First-year retention 20% of scoreThis measure counts for 20% of the Academic Excellence score.98%
  • Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.SAT 1,553 · ACT 34.5
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.6 to 1
  • Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$154,517

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)
8,054
Total students18,446
Average net price (per year)
After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid
$13,807
Cost of attendance (per year)$87,833
Median federal debt at graduation$12,000
Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
92%
First-year retention98%
Median earnings 10 years after entry$124,080
Admission rate4%
Students receiving Pell grants19%
Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT1553
SAT reading & writing740–780
SAT math770–800
ACT composite34–35
Test policyConsidered but not required

Value index: 90 / 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

Questions families ask

Is Stanford University a Catholic college?
No. Stanford University is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by Catholic Community at Stanford.
What is Stanford University’s Catholic Life Score?
94 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 Stanford University?
Mass is listed at Stanford Memorial Church, Old Union and 3rd floor Sanctuary. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.
Is Stanford University Compass Recommended?
Yes. Stanford University meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic life on campus.

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