Is the University of Tennessee-Knoxville a Catholic college?

No. The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by St. John XXIII University Parish and Catholic Center.

College · Catholic life on campus

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

LocationKnoxville, TN
Type and sizePublic · 4-year · 36,304 students

Official website

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

St. John XXIII University Parish and Catholic Center, at 1710 Melrose Place across Melrose Avenue from UT's Frieson Black Cultural Center, is the Catholic campus ministry for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and has been staffed by the Paulist Fathers since 1973. Fr. Larry Rice, C.S.P., is pastor, with an associate pastor and a senior Paulist priest, and the Paulists list a livestreamed 11:15 AM Sunday Mass at the parish. FOCUS lists six missionaries at the University of Tennessee.

Catholic churches nearby

CampusCatholic centerOpen a street map ›

No Catholic churches are mapped in OpenStreetMap within 3 miles. The map may be incomplete; check the local diocese’s parish directory.

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

79 of 100 points on what we could document.

Yes:
Catholic campus ministry serving this campus (Catholic center, campus ministry, or chaplaincy)Yes (The Paulist Fathers, who staff the parish, state that they provide pastoral care for Catholic students, faculty and staff through St. John XXIII University Parish at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. UT's Volopedia records that the parish was established at the University of Tennessee from the earlier Newman Club.)
Sources (3)
1. Campus Ministries – Paulist Fatherspaulist.org/ministry/campus-ministries · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “Today, Paulist Fathers provide pastoral care for Catholic students, faculty and staff members via: The University Catholic Center at UCLA St. John XXIII University Parish at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville”
  The Paulist Fathers provide pastoral care for Catholic students, faculty, and staff at UT Knoxville through St. John XXIII University Parish.
2. John XXIII University Parish and Catholic Center - Volopediavolopedia.lib.utk.edu/entries/john-xxiii-university-parish-and-catholic-center · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “In June of 1967, the board of the local Newman Foundation sought permission to establish a parish at the University of Tennessee and to proceed with construction of a church and center.”
  UT's Volopedia records that the Newman Foundation sought to establish a parish at the University of Tennessee with a church and center.
3. “A Big Family Here”: St. John XXIII University Parish at the University of Tennessee – Paulist Fatherspaulist.org/the-conversation/video-a-big-family-here-st-john-xxiii-university-parish-at-the-university-of-tennessee · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “St. John XXIII University Parish is the Catholic campus ministry served by the Paulist Fathers at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.”
  The Paulist Fathers describe St. John XXIII University Parish as the Catholic campus ministry at UT Knoxville (April 2020 post).
Yes:
Dedicated Catholic center or chapel on or next to campusYes (The university parish has its own church (Chapel of St. Jude) and Catholic Center building at 1710 Melrose Place. UT's admissions campus tour places it across Melrose Avenue from the Frieson Black Cultural Center.)
Sources (3)
1. St. John XXIII University Parish, Knoxville, Tenn. – Paulist Fatherspaulist.org/location/john-xxiii-university-parish · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “Started as part of Immaculate Conception Parish, Newman Club founded in 1930. Catholic Center established in 1963, then it became canonical parish of John XXIII with Chapel of St. Jude in 1968; present building 1969.”
  The Newman Club became a Catholic Center in 1963 and the canonical parish of John XXIII with the Chapel of St. Jude in 1968; the present building dates from 1969.
2. John XXIII University Parish and Catholic Center - Volopediavolopedia.lib.utk.edu/entries/john-xxiii-university-parish-and-catholic-center · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “The new center was opened in October 1969. In August 1973 the Paulist Fathers joined the community for the ministry at John XXIII University Parish and Catholic Center.”
  The John XXIII University Parish and Catholic Center building opened in 1969, and the Paulist Fathers have ministered there since 1973.
3. Self-Guided Campus Tour (Fall 2023) | UT Admissionsadmissions.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/09/Self-Guided-Tour-Digital-PDF-7.20-Fall-2023-1.pdf · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “St. John XXIII University Parish, is Frieson Black Cultural”
  UT's self-guided campus tour (Fall 2023) places the Frieson Black Cultural Center at the corner of Melrose Avenue across from St. John XXIII University Parish.
Yes:
Priest chaplain assigned to campus ministryFull-time priest chaplain (Fr. Larry Rice, C.S.P., is pastor of the university parish, with Fr. Richard Whitney, C.S.P., as associate pastor and Fr. Robert O'Donnell, C.S.P., in senior ministry; the Paulist community runs the parish as its campus ministry at UT Knoxville.)
Sources (3)
1. Campus Ministries – Paulist Fatherspaulist.org/ministry/campus-ministries · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “Today, Paulist Fathers provide pastoral care for Catholic students, faculty and staff members via: The University Catholic Center at UCLA St. John XXIII University Parish at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville”
  The Paulist Fathers provide pastoral care for Catholic students, faculty, and staff at UT Knoxville through St. John XXIII University Parish.
2. St. John XXIII University Parish, Knoxville, Tenn. – Paulist Fatherspaulist.org/location/john-xxiii-university-parish · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “The parish was placed in the charge of the Paulist Fathers in 1973. Pastor: Fr. Larry Rice, C.S.P. Associate Pastor: Fr. Richard Whitney, C.S.P. Senior Ministry: Fr. Robert O’Donnell, CSP”
  The Paulist Fathers have run the parish since 1973; Fr. Larry Rice is pastor, Fr. Richard Whitney associate pastor, and Fr. Robert O'Donnell serves in senior ministry.
3. Fr. Larry Rice, C.S.P. – Paulist Fatherspaulist.org/who-we-are/bio/fr-larry-rice · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “Paulist Fr. Larry Rice is a longtime Catholic campus minister and a leader in faith-based communications. He currently serves as pastor of St. John XXIII University Parish in Knoxville, TN.”
  Fr. Larry Rice, a longtime Catholic campus minister, currently serves as pastor of St. John XXIII University Parish.
Not enough information:
Weekday Mass at the campus ministryNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Partly:
Sunday Mass at the campus ministry or a campus chapelOne weekend Mass (The Paulist Fathers' online Mass page lists an 11:15 AM Eastern Sunday Mass at St. John XXIII University Parish; no full weekend schedule could be read.)
Sources (1)
1. Watch Mass Online – Paulist Fatherspaulist.org/onlinemass · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “11:15 a.m. Eastern – St. John XXIII University Parish, Knoxville, TN”
  Under 'Sundays', the Paulist Fathers' online Mass page lists an 11:15 AM Mass at St. John XXIII University Parish.
Not enough information:
Scheduled confession at the campus ministryNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Partly:
Catholic student groups and missionary outreach (e.g., FOCUS, Saint Paul's Outreach, Knights of Columbus, Bible studies)One (FOCUS lists six missionaries at the University of Tennessee.)
Sources (1)
1. University of Tennessee - FOCUSfocus.org/campus/university-of-tennessee · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “That’s why we’re here. Let’s meet up sometime. Harkins Patrick Harkins Furka Joseph Furka Williams Emily Williams Bates Jayden Bates Calonge Haley Calonge DeLaughter Benjamin DeLaughter”
  FOCUS lists six missionaries serving at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Not enough information:
Formation programs (retreats, OCIA/RCIA, service, small groups)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
No:
Catholic church within walking distance (computed from OpenStreetMap)None mapped within 3 milesComputed from OpenStreetMap church locations.
Not enough information:
Published weekly schedule of Mass, confession, and adorationNot enough information: no verified Mass times are recorded.

Grades come from the documented indicators under the published rubric. “Not enough information” does not mean the school lacks it.

Strengths

A university parish with its own church and Catholic Center stands across Melrose Avenue from UT's Frieson Black Cultural Center.
Sources (2)
1. St. John XXIII University Parish, Knoxville, Tenn. – Paulist Fatherspaulist.org/location/john-xxiii-university-parish · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “Started as part of Immaculate Conception Parish, Newman Club founded in 1930. Catholic Center established in 1963, then it became canonical parish of John XXIII with Chapel of St. Jude in 1968; present building 1969.”
  The Newman Club became a Catholic Center in 1963 and the canonical parish of John XXIII with the Chapel of St. Jude in 1968; the present building dates from 1969.
2. Self-Guided Campus Tour (Fall 2023) | UT Admissionsadmissions.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/09/Self-Guided-Tour-Digital-PDF-7.20-Fall-2023-1.pdf · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “St. John XXIII University Parish, is Frieson Black Cultural”
  UT's self-guided campus tour (Fall 2023) places the Frieson Black Cultural Center at the corner of Melrose Avenue across from St. John XXIII University Parish.
A community of three Paulist priests (pastor, associate pastor, and a senior priest) staffs the university parish, and the pastor is a longtime Catholic campus minister.
Sources (2)
1. St. John XXIII University Parish, Knoxville, Tenn. – Paulist Fatherspaulist.org/location/john-xxiii-university-parish · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “The parish was placed in the charge of the Paulist Fathers in 1973. Pastor: Fr. Larry Rice, C.S.P. Associate Pastor: Fr. Richard Whitney, C.S.P. Senior Ministry: Fr. Robert O’Donnell, CSP”
  The Paulist Fathers have run the parish since 1973; Fr. Larry Rice is pastor, Fr. Richard Whitney associate pastor, and Fr. Robert O'Donnell serves in senior ministry.
2. Fr. Larry Rice, C.S.P. – Paulist Fatherspaulist.org/who-we-are/bio/fr-larry-rice · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “Paulist Fr. Larry Rice is a longtime Catholic campus minister and a leader in faith-based communications. He currently serves as pastor of St. John XXIII University Parish in Knoxville, TN.”
  Fr. Larry Rice, a longtime Catholic campus minister, currently serves as pastor of St. John XXIII University Parish.
FOCUS lists six missionaries serving at the University of Tennessee.
Sources (1)
1. University of Tennessee - FOCUSfocus.org/campus/university-of-tennessee · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “That’s why we’re here. Let’s meet up sometime. Harkins Patrick Harkins Furka Joseph Furka Williams Emily Williams Bates Jayden Bates Calonge Haley Calonge DeLaughter Benjamin DeLaughter”
  FOCUS lists six missionaries serving at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Concerns

Only a livestreamed 11:15 AM Sunday Mass is confirmed.
Sources (1)
1. Watch Mass Online – Paulist Fatherspaulist.org/onlinemass · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “11:15 a.m. Eastern – St. John XXIII University Parish, Knoxville, TN”
  Under 'Sundays', the Paulist Fathers' online Mass page lists an 11:15 AM Mass at St. John XXIII University Parish.
FOCUS is the only Catholic student group that could be confirmed on readable pages; no Knights of Columbus council, pro-life club, or Catholic student association listing was found.
Sources (1)
1. University of Tennessee - FOCUSfocus.org/campus/university-of-tennessee · verified Oct. 8, 2026
  “That’s why we’re here. Let’s meet up sometime. Harkins Patrick Harkins Furka Joseph Furka Williams Emily Williams Bates Jayden Bates Calonge Haley Calonge DeLaughter Benjamin DeLaughter”
  FOCUS lists six missionaries serving at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

The Catholic center

St. John XXIII University Parish and Catholic Center

Address: 1710 Melrose Place, Knoxville, TN 37916
Location: Next to campus
Distance from campus: 0.4 mi (straight line from the campus point in federal IPEDS data)
Facilities: Chapel of St. Jude (parish church), Catholic Center building (opened 1969)

View on map ↗

Source: paulist.org, verified Oct. 8, 2026, paulist.org, verified Oct. 8, 2026, volopedia.lib.utk.edu, verified Oct. 8, 2026, admissions.utk.edu, verified Oct. 8, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

2 groups and regular activities · 2 on campus, 0 off campus

Clubs and groups 1

FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students)On campus
FOCUS lists six missionaries at the University of Tennessee who meet with students for prayer and conversation about faith.
focus.org

Liturgy and prayer 1

Sunday 11:15 AM Mass (livestreamed)On campus
Sundays 11:15 AM
Sunday Mass at St. John XXIII University Parish, listed among the Paulist Fathers' livestreamed Masses.
paulist.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 (6)

Campus Ministries – Paulist Fatherspaulist.org/ministry/campus-ministries · verified Oct. 8, 2026
“Today, Paulist Fathers provide pastoral care for Catholic students, faculty and staff members via: The University Catholic Center at UCLA St. John XXIII University Parish at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville”
The Paulist Fathers provide pastoral care for Catholic students, faculty, and staff at UT Knoxville through St. John XXIII University Parish.
“Today, Paulist Fathers provide pastoral care for Catholic students, faculty and staff members via: The University Catholic Center at UCLA St. John XXIII University Parish at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville”
The Paulist Fathers provide pastoral care for Catholic students, faculty, and staff at UT Knoxville through St. John XXIII University Parish.
St. John XXIII University Parish, Knoxville, Tenn. – Paulist Fatherspaulist.org/location/john-xxiii-university-parish · verified Oct. 8, 2026
“Started as part of Immaculate Conception Parish, Newman Club founded in 1930. Catholic Center established in 1963, then it became canonical parish of John XXIII with Chapel of St. Jude in 1968; present building 1969.”
The Newman Club became a Catholic Center in 1963 and the canonical parish of John XXIII with the Chapel of St. Jude in 1968; the present building dates from 1969.
“The parish was placed in the charge of the Paulist Fathers in 1973. Pastor: Fr. Larry Rice, C.S.P. Associate Pastor: Fr. Richard Whitney, C.S.P. Senior Ministry: Fr. Robert O’Donnell, CSP”
The Paulist Fathers have run the parish since 1973; Fr. Larry Rice is pastor, Fr. Richard Whitney associate pastor, and Fr. Robert O'Donnell serves in senior ministry.
“Started as part of Immaculate Conception Parish, Newman Club founded in 1930. Catholic Center established in 1963, then it became canonical parish of John XXIII with Chapel of St. Jude in 1968; present building 1969.”
The Newman Club became a Catholic Center in 1963 and the canonical parish of John XXIII with the Chapel of St. Jude in 1968; the present building dates from 1969.
“Contact 1710 Melrose Place, Knoxville, TN 37916 865 523 7931 http://www.john23rd.org/”
The parish is at 1710 Melrose Place, Knoxville, TN 37916; phone 865-523-7931; website john23rd.org.
John XXIII University Parish and Catholic Center - Volopediavolopedia.lib.utk.edu/entries/john-xxiii-university-parish-and-catholic-center · verified Oct. 8, 2026
“In June of 1967, the board of the local Newman Foundation sought permission to establish a parish at the University of Tennessee and to proceed with construction of a church and center.”
UT's Volopedia records that the Newman Foundation sought to establish a parish at the University of Tennessee with a church and center.
“The new center was opened in October 1969. In August 1973 the Paulist Fathers joined the community for the ministry at John XXIII University Parish and Catholic Center.”
The John XXIII University Parish and Catholic Center building opened in 1969, and the Paulist Fathers have ministered there since 1973.
“The new center was opened in October 1969. In August 1973 the Paulist Fathers joined the community for the ministry at John XXIII University Parish and Catholic Center.”
The John XXIII University Parish and Catholic Center building opened in 1969, and the Paulist Fathers have ministered there since 1973.
“A Big Family Here”: St. John XXIII University Parish at the University of Tennessee – Paulist Fatherspaulist.org/the-conversation/video-a-big-family-here-st-john-xxiii-university-parish-at-the-university-of-tennessee · verified Oct. 8, 2026
“St. John XXIII University Parish is the Catholic campus ministry served by the Paulist Fathers at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.”
The Paulist Fathers describe St. John XXIII University Parish as the Catholic campus ministry at UT Knoxville (April 2020 post).
University of Tennessee - FOCUSfocus.org/campus/university-of-tennessee · verified Oct. 8, 2026
“That’s why we’re here. Let’s meet up sometime. Harkins Patrick Harkins Furka Joseph Furka Williams Emily Williams Bates Jayden Bates Calonge Haley Calonge DeLaughter Benjamin DeLaughter”
FOCUS lists six missionaries serving at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Self-Guided Campus Tour (Fall 2023) | UT Admissionsadmissions.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/09/Self-Guided-Tour-Digital-PDF-7.20-Fall-2023-1.pdf · verified Oct. 8, 2026
“St. John XXIII University Parish, is Frieson Black Cultural”
UT's self-guided campus tour (Fall 2023) places the Frieson Black Cultural Center at the corner of Melrose Avenue across from St. John XXIII University Parish.

Reach out

Contact details for Fr. Larry Rice, C.S.P. (Pastor, St. John XXIII University Parish (parish office phone)) 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

78 of 100

From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

Graduation rate 35% of score74%
First-year retention 20% of score92%
Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreSAT 1,311 · ACT 28
Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of score18 to 1
Instructional spending per student 15% of score$13,098

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 · Southeastern Conference
Setting	City
ROTC	Army · Air Force
Study abroad	Offered
Students per faculty member	18 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)	28,883
Total students	36,304
Average net price (per year) After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid	$18,976
Cost of attendance (per year)	$33,678
Median federal debt at graduation	$20,500
Graduation rate First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time	74%
First-year retention	92%
Median earnings 10 years after entry	$60,249
Admission rate	42%
Students receiving Pell grants	19%

Admitted students’ middle range:SAT 1200–1370ACT 25–31

Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT	1311
SAT reading & writing	600–680
SAT math	600–690
ACT composite	25–31
Test policy	Required

Value index: 69 / 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 Knoxville

The Most Reverend Mark Beckman, Bishop of Knoxville

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Source: 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 221759
Carnegie classification: Doctoral university (very 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)
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Questions families ask

Is the University of Tennessee-Knoxville a Catholic college?: No. The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by St. John XXIII University Parish and Catholic Center.
What is the University of Tennessee-Knoxville’s Catholic Life Score?: 79 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.

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