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Texas A&M University-Kingsville: Pharmacy and Business buildings, Texas A&M University-Kingsville - 20060129
Photo: Ccchhhrrriiisss (talk)., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

College · Catholic life on campus

Texas A&M University-Kingsville

  • LocationKingsville, TX
  • Type and sizePublic · 4-year · 6,562 students
Official website

Texas A&M University-Kingsville is not a Catholic college. This rating measures Catholic life on campus: campus ministry, priests, Mass and confession, student groups, and nearby parishes.

The St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel and Newman Center, run by the Diocese of Corpus Christi, is centrally located at Texas A&M University-Kingsville and has a named chaplain. Its published schedule lists Sunday Masses at 11:00 AM and 7:30 PM and weekday Masses Tuesday through Friday, along with a Catholic Student Organization, FOCUS missionaries and a Knights of Columbus council.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 4

  • Sunday11:00 AMSt. Thomas Aquinas Chapel and Newman Center
  • Sunday7:30 PMSt. Thomas Aquinas Chapel and Newman Center
  • Tuesday–Thursday5:30 PMSt. Thomas Aquinas Chapel and Newman Center
  • Friday12:30 PMSt. Thomas Aquinas Chapel and Newman Center

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 & Confession Times | St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel & Newman Centernewmankingsville.com/mass-confession-times · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Sunday Mass Schedule Sunday: 11:00 AM English English EN 7:30 PM English English EN Daily Mass Schedule Tuesday: 5:30 PM English English EN Wednesday: 5:30 PM English English EN Thursday: 5:30 PM English English EN Friday: 12:30 PM”
    Mass is listed on Sundays at 11:00 AM and 7:30 PM, and on Tuesday through Friday at the Newman chapel.
    “Sunday Mass Schedule Sunday: 11:00 AM English English EN 7:30 PM English English EN Daily Mass Schedule Tuesday: 5:30 PM English English EN Wednesday: 5:30 PM English English EN Thursday: 5:30 PM English English EN Friday: 12:30 PM”
    Mass is listed on Sundays at 11:00 AM and 7:30 PM, and on Tuesday through Friday at the Newman chapel.
    “Sunday Mass Schedule Sunday: 11:00 AM English English EN 7:30 PM English English EN Daily Mass Schedule Tuesday: 5:30 PM English English EN Wednesday: 5:30 PM English English EN Thursday: 5:30 PM English English EN Friday: 12:30 PM”
    Mass is listed on Sundays at 11:00 AM and 7:30 PM, and on Tuesday through Friday at the Newman chapel.
    “Sunday Mass Schedule Sunday: 11:00 AM English English EN 7:30 PM English English EN Daily Mass Schedule Tuesday: 5:30 PM English English EN Wednesday: 5:30 PM English English EN Thursday: 5:30 PM English English EN Friday: 12:30 PM”
    Mass is listed on Sundays at 11:00 AM and 7:30 PM, and on Tuesday through Friday at the Newman chapel.

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

81 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 (1)
    1. College Campus Ministry | Diocese of Corpus Christidiocesecc.org/collegecampusministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center at Texas A&M University-Kingsville”
      The Diocese of Corpus Christi lists a Newman Center serving Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Dedicated Catholic center or chapel on or next to campusYes
    Sources (1)
    1. About | St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel & Newman Centernewmankingsville.com/about · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Chapel & Center is centrally located in Texas A&M University Kingsville.”
      The Newman chapel and center is centrally located in Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priest chaplain assigned to campus ministryFull-time priest chaplain (Fr. Thomas Swierc is listed as Rector and Chaplain of the Newman Center.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Staff | St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel & Newman Centernewmankingsville.com/staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Father Thomas Swierc Rector - Chaplain”
      Father Thomas Swierc is listed as Rector and Chaplain of the Newman Center.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Weekday Mass at the campus ministry1–4 weekdays (Weekday Mass is listed Tuesday through Friday (four weekdays); no Monday Mass appears on the schedule.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Mass & Confession Times | St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel & Newman Centernewmankingsville.com/mass-confession-times · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Sunday Mass Schedule Sunday: 11:00 AM English English EN 7:30 PM English English EN Daily Mass Schedule Tuesday: 5:30 PM English English EN Wednesday: 5:30 PM English English EN Thursday: 5:30 PM English English EN Friday: 12:30 PM”
      Mass is listed on Sundays at 11:00 AM and 7:30 PM, and on Tuesday through Friday at the Newman chapel.
  • 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 (Two Sunday Masses are listed: 11:00 AM and 7:30 PM.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Mass & Confession Times | St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel & Newman Centernewmankingsville.com/mass-confession-times · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Sunday Mass Schedule Sunday: 11:00 AM English English EN 7:30 PM English English EN Daily Mass Schedule Tuesday: 5:30 PM English English EN Wednesday: 5:30 PM English English EN Thursday: 5:30 PM English English EN Friday: 12:30 PM”
      Mass is listed on Sundays at 11:00 AM and 7:30 PM, and on Tuesday through Friday at the Newman chapel.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Scheduled confession at the campus ministryNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • 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 (Catholic Student Organization, FOCUS and a Knights of Columbus council are each listed.)
    Sources (3)
    1. Knights of Columbus | St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel & Newman Centernewmankingsville.com/knights-of-columbus · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Grand Knight for the TAMUK Council”
      The Newman Center lists a Knights of Columbus council for Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
    2. Catholic Student Organization | St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel & Newman Centernewmankingsville.com/catholic-student-organization · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “the Catholic Student Organization meets every other Wednesday immediately following the 5:30pm Daily Mass.”
      The Catholic Student Organization meets every other Wednesday after the 5:30 PM Mass.
    3. Campuses | FOCUSfocus.org/about/campuses · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Texas A&M University – Kingsville”
      FOCUS lists Texas A&M University – Kingsville among the campuses where it serves.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Formation programs (retreats, OCIA/RCIA, service, small groups)Two or more kinds (Retreat (annual Vocations Retreat), formation (OCIA) and service (community volunteering) are each listed.)
    Sources (3)
    1. Vocations | St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel & Newman Centernewmankingsville.com/vocations · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “hosts an annual Vocations Retreat, providing students with the opportunity to discern their calling”
      The Newman Center hosts an annual Vocations Retreat and a Vocations Fair during National Vocations Week.
    2. Becoming Catholic | St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel & Newman Centernewmankingsville.com/becoming-catholic · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “They are held on Thursday nights from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM at the St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel and Newman Center.”
      OCIA classes for adults seeking initiation into the Catholic Church meet Thursday nights at the Newman Center.
    3. Get Involved | St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel & Newman Centernewmankingsville.com/get-involved · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “At St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel and Newman Center, there are numerous volunteering opportunities!”
      The Newman Center lists community volunteering opportunities, including with Catholic Charities and the Mother Teresa Shelter.
  • No: the school does not offer this, so it earns no points.
    Catholic church within walking distance (computed from OpenStreetMap)None mapped 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 (6 weekly times documented: 6 Mass, 0 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

  • Sunday Mass is listed twice, at 11:00 AM and 7:30 PM, at the Newman chapel.
    Sources (1)
    1. Mass & Confession Times | St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel & Newman Centernewmankingsville.com/mass-confession-times · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Sunday Mass Schedule Sunday: 11:00 AM English English EN 7:30 PM English English EN Daily Mass Schedule Tuesday: 5:30 PM English English EN Wednesday: 5:30 PM English English EN Thursday: 5:30 PM English English EN Friday: 12:30 PM”
      Mass is listed on Sundays at 11:00 AM and 7:30 PM, and on Tuesday through Friday at the Newman chapel.
  • A named priest is listed as Rector and Chaplain of the Newman Center.
    Sources (1)
    1. Staff | St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel & Newman Centernewmankingsville.com/staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Father Thomas Swierc Rector - Chaplain”
      Father Thomas Swierc is listed as Rector and Chaplain of the Newman Center.
  • The Newman Center lists a Catholic Student Organization, FOCUS missionaries and a Knights of Columbus council.
    Sources (3)
    1. Catholic Student Organization | St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel & Newman Centernewmankingsville.com/catholic-student-organization · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “the Catholic Student Organization meets every other Wednesday immediately following the 5:30pm Daily Mass.”
      The Catholic Student Organization meets every other Wednesday after the 5:30 PM Mass.
    2. Staff | St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel & Newman Centernewmankingsville.com/staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Missionary - Team Director”
      The Newman Center's staff page lists FOCUS missionaries, including a team director.
    3. Knights of Columbus | St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel & Newman Centernewmankingsville.com/knights-of-columbus · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Grand Knight for the TAMUK Council”
      The Newman Center lists a Knights of Columbus council for Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

Concerns

  • No Monday Mass appears on the published weekday schedule.
    Sources (1)
    1. Mass & Confession Times | St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel & Newman Centernewmankingsville.com/mass-confession-times · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Sunday Mass Schedule Sunday: 11:00 AM English English EN 7:30 PM English English EN Daily Mass Schedule Tuesday: 5:30 PM English English EN Wednesday: 5:30 PM English English EN Thursday: 5:30 PM English English EN Friday: 12:30 PM”
      Mass is listed on Sundays at 11:00 AM and 7:30 PM, and on Tuesday through Friday at the Newman chapel.
  • Confession times are not clearly labeled on the published schedule; no confession schedule is recorded.
    Sources (1)
    1. Mass & Confession Times | St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel & Newman Centernewmankingsville.com/mass-confession-times · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Sunday Mass Schedule Sunday: 11:00 AM English English EN 7:30 PM English English EN Daily Mass Schedule Tuesday: 5:30 PM English English EN Wednesday: 5:30 PM English English EN Thursday: 5:30 PM English English EN Friday: 12:30 PM”
      Mass is listed on Sundays at 11:00 AM and 7:30 PM, and on Tuesday through Friday at the Newman chapel.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

The Catholic center

St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel and Newman Center

  • Address: 1457 Retama Drive, Kingsville, Texas 78363
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: chapel

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

Catholic clubs and student life

12 groups and regular activities · 3 on campus, 1 off campus, 8 location not published

Service 1

  • Community volunteeringOff campus
    Volunteer work at community sites including the Catholic Charities Humanitarian Respite Center, Mother Teresa Shelter and Kleberg Community Center.
    newmankingsville.com

Faith formation 1

  • OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)On campus
    Thursday nights, 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM, from September through the Easter Vigil
    Classes for adults who have not been baptized or have not received all their sacraments of initiation.
    newmankingsville.com, newmankingsville.com

Clubs and groups 4

  • Catholic Student OrganizationOn campus
    Every other Wednesday, immediately after the 5:30 PM Daily Mass
    Catholic student organization based at the St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel and Newman Center.
    newmankingsville.com, newmankingsville.com
  • FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students)
    FOCUS missionaries serve students through the Newman Center. FOCUS lists the Kingsville campus among its campuses.
    focus.org, newmankingsville.com
  • Knights of Columbus, TAMUK Council
    Knights of Columbus council listed for Texas A&M University-Kingsville on the Newman Center's page.
    newmankingsville.com
  • Pro-Life Javelinas
    Pro-life student group listed on the Newman Center's Get Involved page.
    newmankingsville.com

Social life 1

Liturgy and prayer 2

  • Liturgical ministries
    Music ministry, altar servers, lectors and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion.
    newmankingsville.com
  • Weekday Rosary
    Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 5:00 PM
    Rosary listed on the Newman Center's Mass and Confession Times page.
    newmankingsville.com

Other 2

  • Vocations Fair
    During National Vocations Week
    Fair where priests and religious who serve the Diocese of Corpus Christi meet students.
    newmankingsville.com
  • SEEK conference
    National FOCUS conference that the Newman Center points students to.
    newmankingsville.com

Retreats 1

  • Vocations Retreat
    Annual
    Annual retreat that helps students discern priesthood, religious life or marriage.
    newmankingsville.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

Sources (4)
  1. About | St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel & Newman Centernewmankingsville.com/about · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “The St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Chapel & Center is centrally located in Texas A&M University Kingsville.”
    The Newman chapel and center is centrally located in Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
    “The St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Chapel & Center is centrally located in Texas A&M University Kingsville.”
    The Newman chapel and center is centrally located in Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
  2. Staff | St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel & Newman Centernewmankingsville.com/staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Father Thomas Swierc Rector - Chaplain”
    Father Thomas Swierc is listed as Rector and Chaplain of the Newman Center.
  3. College Campus Ministry | Diocese of Corpus Christidiocesecc.org/collegecampusministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center at Texas A&M University-Kingsville”
    The Diocese of Corpus Christi lists a Newman Center serving Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
  4. Contact Us | St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel & Newman Centernewmankingsville.com/contact · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Physical Address 1457 Retama Drive Kingsville, Texas 78363”
    The physical address of the Newman chapel and center is 1457 Retama Drive, Kingsville, Texas 78363.

Reach out

Contact details for Rev. Thomas Swierc (Chaplain of the Newman Center; Rector of St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel) and 2 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

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Academic Excellence

DAcademic Excellence: Limited (grade D): 40 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
48 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.42%
  • First-year retention 20% of scoreThis measure counts for 20% of the Academic Excellence score.65%
  • Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.SAT 1,050
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.18 to 1
  • Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$10,279

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)
5,187
Total students6,562
Average net price (per year)
After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid
$12,090
Cost of attendance (per year)$24,060
Median federal debt at graduation$22,934
Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
42%
First-year retention65%
Median earnings 10 years after entry$51,450
Admission rate91%
Students receiving Pell grants53%
Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT1050
SAT reading & writing510–550
SAT math480–560
ACT composite—
Test policyConsidered but not required

Value index: 52 / 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 Corpus Christi

The Most Reverend Mario Alberto Avilés, Bishop of Corpus Christi

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Source: usccb.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 228705
  • Carnegie classification: Doctoral university (high research)
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges d.b.a. Commission on Colleges and Universities (U.S. Department of Education DAPIP)
  • Report an error or a newer source
  • Respond as this school

Questions families ask

Is Texas A&M University-Kingsville a Catholic college?
No. Texas A&M University-Kingsville is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel and Newman Center.
What is Texas A&M University-Kingsville’s Catholic Life Score?
73 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 Texas A&M University-Kingsville?
Mass is listed at St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel and Newman Center. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.

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