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University of Cincinnati: Aerial-View-of-Campus
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College · Catholic life on campus

University of Cincinnati

  • LocationCincinnati, OH
  • Type and sizePublic · 4-year · 43,338 students
Official website

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

Catholic Bearcat, the Catholic ministry to University of Cincinnati students, is based at St. Monica-St. George Parish, 328 W. McMillan St., Cincinnati, according to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, which funds campus ministry at UC through its Catholic Ministries Appeal. The archdiocese says hundreds of students take part each week in Bible studies, free meals, formation, and the sacraments, and its campus ministry directory lists a parochial vicar and a campus minister for the ministry. FOCUS lists five missionaries at UC.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of University of Cincinnati, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miSacred Heart Church: 1.0 mi1Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary: 1.1 mi2Saint Francis Seraph Church: 1.2 mi3Church of the Assumption: 1.4 mi4Saint Clement Catholic Church: 1.5 mi5Old Saint Mary’s Church: 1.5 mi6St. Monica-St. George Parish (home of Catholic Bearcat): 0.5 miUniversity of Cincinnati (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Sacred Heart Church — 1.0 mi
  2. Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary — 1.1 mi · 3547 Clifton Avenue, Cincinnati
  3. Saint Francis Seraph Church — 1.2 mi · 10 Liberty West Street, Cincinnati
  4. Church of the Assumption — 1.4 mi · 2622 Gilbert Avenue, Cincinnati
  5. Saint Clement Catholic Church — 1.5 mi
  6. Old Saint Mary’s Church — 1.5 mi

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.

N/ACatholic life on campus: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Catholic life on campus

Not enough information: official sources cover less than 60% of this area.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic campus ministry serving this campus (Catholic center, campus ministry, or chaplaincy)Yes (The Archdiocese of Cincinnati states that its Catholic Ministries Appeal supports a Catholic presence at the University of Cincinnati, and its February 2026 press release says St. Monica-St. George Parish is home to Catholic Bearcat, a ministry to the students at the University of Cincinnati. The archdiocese's Directory of Higher Education Campus Ministry Programs lists catholicbearcat.com.)
    Sources (3)
    1. Campus, Hospital, and Prison Ministry - Archdiocese of Cincinnaticatholicaoc.org/cma/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Because of your support to the CMA, we have a Catholic presence at local, non-Catholic universities — University of Cincinnati, Miami University, and Wright State University.”
      The Archdiocese of Cincinnati's Catholic Ministries Appeal supports a Catholic campus ministry presence at the University of Cincinnati.
    2. Ash Wednesday Liturgies Tomorrow - Archdiocese of Cincinnaticatholicaoc.org/news/press-releases/ash-wednesday-liturgies-tomorrow · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “St. Monica-St. George Parish is home to Catholic Bearcat, a ministry to the students at the University of Cincinnati. Catholic Bearcat exists to provide encounters with Jesus through the Sacraments, discipleship, and inspiring hearts for mission.”
      St. Monica-St. George Parish is home to Catholic Bearcat, the Catholic ministry to University of Cincinnati students (archdiocesan press release dated February 17, 2026).
    3. College & Young Adults - Center for New Evangelization (Archdiocese of Cincinnati)centerforthenewevangelization.org/young-adults · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “campusministry@ catholicbearcat.com Fr. Jeff Stephens, Parochial Vicar [email protected] Karissa Dunn, Campus Minister”
      The archdiocese's Directory of Higher Education Campus Ministry Programs lists catholicbearcat.com with Fr. Jeff Stephens, Parochial Vicar, and Karissa Dunn, Campus Minister.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Dedicated Catholic center or chapel on or next to campusNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Priest chaplain assigned to campus ministryPart-time or shared priest (The archdiocese's campus ministry directory lists Fr. Jeff Stephens, Parochial Vicar, in the Catholic Bearcat entry; the archdiocese appointed Rev. Jeffrey A. Stephens parochial vicar of the S10 Family of Parishes, which includes St. Monica-St. George, effective July 1, 2023. He is not titled chaplain; part-time is recorded. The directory appears partly out of date (it still lists Miami University's former chaplain, reassigned July 1, 2026).)
    Sources (2)
    1. College & Young Adults - Center for New Evangelization (Archdiocese of Cincinnati)centerforthenewevangelization.org/young-adults · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “campusministry@ catholicbearcat.com Fr. Jeff Stephens, Parochial Vicar [email protected] Karissa Dunn, Campus Minister”
      The archdiocese's Directory of Higher Education Campus Ministry Programs lists catholicbearcat.com with Fr. Jeff Stephens, Parochial Vicar, and Karissa Dunn, Campus Minister.
    2. New Assignments - Archdiocese of Cincinnaticatholicaoc.org/news/new-assignments/24863 · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Reverend Jeffrey A. Stephens, Parochial Vicar of S10 Family of Parishes which includes Annunciation, Cincinnati, Holy Name, Cincinnati and St. Monica-St. George, Cincinnati.”
      Rev. Jeffrey A. Stephens was appointed parochial vicar of the S10 Family of Parishes, which includes St. Monica-St. George, effective July 1, 2023.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Weekday Mass at the campus ministryNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Sunday Mass at the campus ministry or a campus chapelNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • 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 (FOCUS lists the University of Cincinnati among its campuses and names five missionaries on its UC page; the archdiocese says hundreds of students take part weekly in Catholic Bearcat Bible studies.)
    Sources (3)
    1. Campuses - FOCUSfocus.org/about/campuses · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Miami University University of Cincinnati University of Toledo”
      FOCUS lists the University of Cincinnati among the campuses where it serves.
    2. University of Cincinnati - FOCUSfocus.org/campus/university-of-cincinnati · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Hoops Lehua Hoops King Matthew King Vedane Jessica Vedane Bach Delaney Bach Hoy Ryker Hoy”
      FOCUS's University of Cincinnati page lists five missionaries: Lehua Hoops, Matthew King, Jessica Vedane, Delaney Bach, and Ryker Hoy.
    3. Ash Wednesday Liturgies Tomorrow - Archdiocese of Cincinnaticatholicaoc.org/news/press-releases/ash-wednesday-liturgies-tomorrow · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “The goal is for all students at the University of Cincinnati to know Jesus Christ through the Catholic Church. Every week hundreds of students encounter Jesus through Bible studies, free meals, formation, and the Sacraments.”
      Each week hundreds of UC students take part in Catholic Bearcat Bible studies, free meals, formation, and the sacraments.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Formation programs (retreats, OCIA/RCIA, service, small groups)Two or more kinds (The archdiocese lists Bible studies (small groups) and formation as separate weekly Catholic Bearcat offerings. No retreat, OCIA, or service program details could be read from the ministry's own site.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Ash Wednesday Liturgies Tomorrow - Archdiocese of Cincinnaticatholicaoc.org/news/press-releases/ash-wednesday-liturgies-tomorrow · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “The goal is for all students at the University of Cincinnati to know Jesus Christ through the Catholic Church. Every week hundreds of students encounter Jesus through Bible studies, free meals, formation, and the Sacraments.”
      Each week hundreds of UC students take part in Catholic Bearcat Bible studies, free meals, formation, and the sacraments.
  • 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.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    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

  • The Archdiocese of Cincinnati funds Catholic campus ministry at UC, and St. Monica-St. George Parish is home to Catholic Bearcat, the ministry to UC students.
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus, Hospital, and Prison Ministry - Archdiocese of Cincinnaticatholicaoc.org/cma/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Because of your support to the CMA, we have a Catholic presence at local, non-Catholic universities — University of Cincinnati, Miami University, and Wright State University.”
      The Archdiocese of Cincinnati's Catholic Ministries Appeal supports a Catholic campus ministry presence at the University of Cincinnati.
    2. Ash Wednesday Liturgies Tomorrow - Archdiocese of Cincinnaticatholicaoc.org/news/press-releases/ash-wednesday-liturgies-tomorrow · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “St. Monica-St. George Parish is home to Catholic Bearcat, a ministry to the students at the University of Cincinnati. Catholic Bearcat exists to provide encounters with Jesus through the Sacraments, discipleship, and inspiring hearts for mission.”
      St. Monica-St. George Parish is home to Catholic Bearcat, the Catholic ministry to University of Cincinnati students (archdiocesan press release dated February 17, 2026).
  • The archdiocese reports that hundreds of students each week take part in Bible studies, free meals, formation, and the sacraments.
    Sources (1)
    1. Ash Wednesday Liturgies Tomorrow - Archdiocese of Cincinnaticatholicaoc.org/news/press-releases/ash-wednesday-liturgies-tomorrow · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “The goal is for all students at the University of Cincinnati to know Jesus Christ through the Catholic Church. Every week hundreds of students encounter Jesus through Bible studies, free meals, formation, and the Sacraments.”
      Each week hundreds of UC students take part in Catholic Bearcat Bible studies, free meals, formation, and the sacraments.
  • FOCUS serves UC and lists five missionaries on its campus page.
    Sources (2)
    1. Campuses - FOCUSfocus.org/about/campuses · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Miami University University of Cincinnati University of Toledo”
      FOCUS lists the University of Cincinnati among the campuses where it serves.
    2. University of Cincinnati - FOCUSfocus.org/campus/university-of-cincinnati · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Hoops Lehua Hoops King Matthew King Vedane Jessica Vedane Bach Delaney Bach Hoy Ryker Hoy”
      FOCUS's University of Cincinnati page lists five missionaries: Lehua Hoops, Matthew King, Jessica Vedane, Delaney Bach, and Ryker Hoy.

Concerns

  • The priest listed for the ministry is titled parochial vicar of a three-parish family of parishes rather than campus chaplain.
    Sources (2)
    1. College & Young Adults - Center for New Evangelization (Archdiocese of Cincinnati)centerforthenewevangelization.org/young-adults · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “campusministry@ catholicbearcat.com Fr. Jeff Stephens, Parochial Vicar [email protected] Karissa Dunn, Campus Minister”
      The archdiocese's Directory of Higher Education Campus Ministry Programs lists catholicbearcat.com with Fr. Jeff Stephens, Parochial Vicar, and Karissa Dunn, Campus Minister.
    2. New Assignments - Archdiocese of Cincinnaticatholicaoc.org/news/new-assignments/24863 · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Reverend Jeffrey A. Stephens, Parochial Vicar of S10 Family of Parishes which includes Annunciation, Cincinnati, Holy Name, Cincinnati and St. Monica-St. George, Cincinnati.”
      Rev. Jeffrey A. Stephens was appointed parochial vicar of the S10 Family of Parishes, which includes St. Monica-St. George, effective July 1, 2023.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

The Catholic center

St. Monica-St. George Parish (home of Catholic Bearcat)

  • Address: 328 W. McMillan St., Cincinnati, OH
  • Distance from campus: 0.5 mi (straight line from the campus point in federal IPEDS data)

View on map ↗

Source: catholicaoc.org, verified Oct. 8, 2026, catholicaoc.org, verified Oct. 8, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

5 groups and regular activities · 1 on campus, 4 off campus

Faith formation 2

  • Bible studiesOff campus
    Weekly
    Catholic Bearcat Bible studies, part of the weekly program the archdiocese says reaches hundreds of students.
    catholicaoc.org
  • FormationOff campus
    Weekly
    Faith formation offered by Catholic Bearcat.
    catholicaoc.org

Clubs and groups 2

  • Catholic BearcatOff campus
    The Catholic ministry to University of Cincinnati students, based at St. Monica-St. George Parish, offering the sacraments, discipleship, and mission.
    catholicaoc.org
  • FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) at UCOn campus
    FOCUS serves the University of Cincinnati; its campus page lists five missionaries.
    focus.org, focus.org

Social life 1

  • Free mealsOff campus
    Weekly
    Free meals for students offered by Catholic Bearcat.
    catholicaoc.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)
  1. Ash Wednesday Liturgies Tomorrow - Archdiocese of Cincinnaticatholicaoc.org/news/press-releases/ash-wednesday-liturgies-tomorrow · verified Oct. 8, 2026
    “St. Monica-St. George Parish is home to Catholic Bearcat, a ministry to the students at the University of Cincinnati. Catholic Bearcat exists to provide encounters with Jesus through the Sacraments, discipleship, and inspiring hearts for mission.”
    St. Monica-St. George Parish is home to Catholic Bearcat, the Catholic ministry to University of Cincinnati students (archdiocesan press release dated February 17, 2026).
    “St. Monica-St. George Church, 328 W. McMillan St., Cincinnati, OH: 8 a.m., 12 p.m., 7 p.m. Mass”
    St. Monica-St. George Church is at 328 W. McMillan St., Cincinnati, OH (Ash Wednesday 2026 Masses listed there).
    “St. Monica-St. George Parish is home to Catholic Bearcat, a ministry to the students at the University of Cincinnati. Catholic Bearcat exists to provide encounters with Jesus through the Sacraments, discipleship, and inspiring hearts for mission.”
    St. Monica-St. George Parish is home to Catholic Bearcat, the Catholic ministry to University of Cincinnati students (archdiocesan press release dated February 17, 2026).
    “St. Monica-St. George Church, 328 W. McMillan St., Cincinnati, OH: 8 a.m., 12 p.m., 7 p.m. Mass”
    St. Monica-St. George Church is at 328 W. McMillan St., Cincinnati, OH (Ash Wednesday 2026 Masses listed there).
    “St. Monica-St. George Parish is home to Catholic Bearcat, a ministry to the students at the University of Cincinnati. Catholic Bearcat exists to provide encounters with Jesus through the Sacraments, discipleship, and inspiring hearts for mission.”
    St. Monica-St. George Parish is home to Catholic Bearcat, the Catholic ministry to University of Cincinnati students (archdiocesan press release dated February 17, 2026).
  2. College & Young Adults - Center for New Evangelization (Archdiocese of Cincinnati)centerforthenewevangelization.org/young-adults · verified Oct. 8, 2026
    “campusministry@ catholicbearcat.com Fr. Jeff Stephens, Parochial Vicar [email protected] Karissa Dunn, Campus Minister”
    The archdiocese's Directory of Higher Education Campus Ministry Programs lists catholicbearcat.com with Fr. Jeff Stephens, Parochial Vicar, and Karissa Dunn, Campus Minister.
  3. New Assignments - Archdiocese of Cincinnaticatholicaoc.org/news/new-assignments/24863 · verified Oct. 8, 2026
    “Reverend Jeffrey A. Stephens, Parochial Vicar of S10 Family of Parishes which includes Annunciation, Cincinnati, Holy Name, Cincinnati and St. Monica-St. George, Cincinnati.”
    Rev. Jeffrey A. Stephens was appointed parochial vicar of the S10 Family of Parishes, which includes St. Monica-St. George, effective July 1, 2023.
  4. New Assignments - Archdiocese of Cincinnaticatholicaoc.org/news/new-assignments/new-assignments-10 · verified Oct. 8, 2026
    “Reverend David Doseck, Pastor of S10 Family of Parishes which includes St. Monica-St. George, Holy Name, and Annunciation, Cincinnati.”
    Rev. David Doseck was appointed pastor of the S10 Family of Parishes, which includes St. Monica-St. George, effective January 8, 2024.
  5. Campuses - FOCUSfocus.org/about/campuses · verified Oct. 8, 2026
    “Miami University University of Cincinnati University of Toledo”
    FOCUS lists the University of Cincinnati among the campuses where it serves.
  6. University of Cincinnati - FOCUSfocus.org/campus/university-of-cincinnati · verified Oct. 8, 2026
    “Hoops Lehua Hoops King Matthew King Vedane Jessica Vedane Bach Delaney Bach Hoy Ryker Hoy”
    FOCUS's University of Cincinnati page lists five missionaries: Lehua Hoops, Matthew King, Jessica Vedane, Delaney Bach, and Ryker Hoy.

Reach out

Contact details for Zoe Penn (Coordinator of Young Adult Evangelization, Archdiocese of Cincinnati (archdiocesan office that supports college campus ministry; not Catholic Bearcat staff)) and the campus ministry are available to signed-in users.

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Academic Excellence

BAcademic Excellence: 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.
75 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.75%
  • First-year retention 20% of scoreThis measure counts for 20% of the Academic Excellence score.85%
  • Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.SAT 1,282 · ACT 26.5
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.19 to 1
  • Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$12,292

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)
31,184
Total students43,338
Average net price (per year)
After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid
$25,648
Cost of attendance (per year)$32,171
Median federal debt at graduation$21,250
Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
75%
First-year retention85%
Median earnings 10 years after entry$54,810
Admission rate85%
Students receiving Pell grants19%
Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT1282
SAT reading & writing570–670
SAT math590–700
ACT composite24–29
Test policyConsidered but not required

Value index: 57 / 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

Archdiocese of Cincinnati

The Most Reverend Robert G. Casey, Archbishop of Cincinnati

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Source: catholicaoc.org, catholicaoc.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 University of Cincinnati a Catholic college?
No. University of Cincinnati is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by Catholic Bearcat.

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