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University of Houston: Cemo Hall
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College · Catholic life on campus

University of Houston

  • LocationHouston, TX
  • Type and sizePublic · 4-year · 46,676 students
Official website

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

The University of Houston lists the Catholic Newman Association among the campus ministries of its A.D. Bruce Religion Center, describing the Catholic Newman Center as serving the university's Catholic campus community through liturgy, fellowship, prayer, and education; it has an office in the Religion Center (Suite 108) and a second location at 4805 Calhoun Road, with Rev. Charles K. Johnson as contact. A Catholic Student Organization (the Catholic Coogs) appears among the university's faith-based student organizations.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of University of Houston, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches0.5 mi1 mi2 miCatholic Newman Center: 0.3 mi1TSU Catholic Newman Center: 0.7 mi2Catholic Charismatic Center: 0.9 mi3Saint Marys Catholic Church: 1.5 mi4St. Mary of the Purification Catholic Church: 1.5 mi5Villa De Matel Convent: 1.7 mi6Catholic Newman Center at the University of Houston: 0.3 miUniversity of Houston (campus)N0.5 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Catholic Newman Center — 0.3 mi
  2. TSU Catholic Newman Center — 0.7 mi
  3. Catholic Charismatic Center — 0.9 mi
  4. Saint Marys Catholic Church — 1.5 mi
  5. St. Mary of the Purification Catholic Church — 1.5 mi
  6. Villa De Matel Convent — 1.7 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 University of Houston's A.D. Bruce Religion Center lists the Catholic Newman Association among its campus ministries and states that the Catholic Newman Center serves the Catholic campus community at the university.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministries | A.D. Bruce Religion Center | University of Houstonuh.edu/adbruce/campus-ministries/index.php · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “As part of the evangelistic mission of the Church, the Catholic Newman Center serves the Catholic Campus community at the University of Houston through liturgy, fellowship, prayer, and education.”
      The university's Religion Center states that the Catholic Newman Center serves the Catholic campus community at the University of Houston.
      “Denomination Catholic Contact Information Location #1: AD Bruce, Suite 108 Location #2: 4805 Calhoun Road Phone: 713-748-2529 Contact: Rev. Charles K. Johnson”
      The Catholic Newman Association is located in Suite 108 of the A.D. Bruce Religion Center and at 4805 Calhoun Road; phone 713-748-2529; contact Rev. Charles K. Johnson.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Dedicated Catholic center or chapel on or next to campusYes (The university lists two locations for the Catholic Newman Association: Suite 108 in the on-campus A.D. Bruce Religion Center (3841 Cullen Boulevard) and 4805 Calhoun Road.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus Ministries | A.D. Bruce Religion Center | University of Houstonuh.edu/adbruce/campus-ministries/index.php · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Denomination Catholic Contact Information Location #1: AD Bruce, Suite 108 Location #2: 4805 Calhoun Road Phone: 713-748-2529 Contact: Rev. Charles K. Johnson”
      The Catholic Newman Association is located in Suite 108 of the A.D. Bruce Religion Center and at 4805 Calhoun Road; phone 713-748-2529; contact Rev. Charles K. Johnson.
    2. Contact Us | A.D. Bruce Religion Center | University of Houstonuh.edu/adbruce/about/contact.php · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “GPS Map Address and Directions 3841 Cullen Boulevard University of Houston Houston, TX 77204-3050”
      The A.D. Bruce Religion Center, where the Catholic Newman Association has its Suite 108 office, is at 3841 Cullen Boulevard on the University of Houston campus.
  • 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 university names Rev. Charles K. Johnson as the Catholic Newman Association's contact, and Catholic Newman hosts Ash Wednesday Masses in the University Chapel; a priest serves students at least part-time.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus Ministries | A.D. Bruce Religion Center | University of Houstonuh.edu/adbruce/campus-ministries/index.php · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Denomination Catholic Contact Information Location #1: AD Bruce, Suite 108 Location #2: 4805 Calhoun Road Phone: 713-748-2529 Contact: Rev. Charles K. Johnson”
      The Catholic Newman Association is located in Suite 108 of the A.D. Bruce Religion Center and at 4805 Calhoun Road; phone 713-748-2529; contact Rev. Charles K. Johnson.
    2. Ash Wednesday | A.D. Bruce Religion Center | University of Houstonuh.edu/adbruce/events/signature-events/ash-wednesday.php · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Ash Wednesday Catholic Mass Service Hosted by: Catholic Newman Location: A.D. Bruce Religion Center / 1st Floor, University Chapel”
      Catholic Newman hosts Ash Wednesday Masses in the University Chapel of the A.D. Bruce Religion Center (7-8 AM, 12-1 PM, and 5-6 PM).
  • 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.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Catholic student groups and missionary outreach (e.g., FOCUS, Saint Paul's Outreach, Knights of Columbus, Bible studies)One (The Catholic Student Organization (Catholic Coogs) is the only Catholic group in the A.D. Bruce Religion Center's list of faith-based student organizations.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Organizations | A.D. Bruce Religion Center | University of Houstonuh.edu/adbruce/organizations/index.php · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Catholic Student Organization Welcome to the Catholic Coogs! Join our young, diverse, and energetic Catholic Community!”
      The Catholic Student Organization (Catholic Coogs) is listed among the university's faith-based student organizations.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Formation programs (retreats, OCIA/RCIA, service, small groups)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
  • 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.
  • 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 university lists the Catholic Newman Association among its campus ministries, with an office in the on-campus A.D. Bruce Religion Center and a second location at 4805 Calhoun Road.
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus Ministries | A.D. Bruce Religion Center | University of Houstonuh.edu/adbruce/campus-ministries/index.php · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “As part of the evangelistic mission of the Church, the Catholic Newman Center serves the Catholic Campus community at the University of Houston through liturgy, fellowship, prayer, and education.”
      The university's Religion Center states that the Catholic Newman Center serves the Catholic campus community at the University of Houston.
      “Denomination Catholic Contact Information Location #1: AD Bruce, Suite 108 Location #2: 4805 Calhoun Road Phone: 713-748-2529 Contact: Rev. Charles K. Johnson”
      The Catholic Newman Association is located in Suite 108 of the A.D. Bruce Religion Center and at 4805 Calhoun Road; phone 713-748-2529; contact Rev. Charles K. Johnson.
    2. Contact Us | A.D. Bruce Religion Center | University of Houstonuh.edu/adbruce/about/contact.php · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “GPS Map Address and Directions 3841 Cullen Boulevard University of Houston Houston, TX 77204-3050”
      The A.D. Bruce Religion Center, where the Catholic Newman Association has its Suite 108 office, is at 3841 Cullen Boulevard on the University of Houston campus.
  • A Catholic Student Organization (the Catholic Coogs) is registered among the university's faith-based student organizations.
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Organizations | A.D. Bruce Religion Center | University of Houstonuh.edu/adbruce/organizations/index.php · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Catholic Student Organization Welcome to the Catholic Coogs! Join our young, diverse, and energetic Catholic Community!”
      The Catholic Student Organization (Catholic Coogs) is listed among the university's faith-based student organizations.
  • Catholic Newman hosts three Ash Wednesday Masses in the University Chapel on campus.
    Sources (1)
    1. Ash Wednesday | A.D. Bruce Religion Center | University of Houstonuh.edu/adbruce/events/signature-events/ash-wednesday.php · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Ash Wednesday Catholic Mass Service Hosted by: Catholic Newman Location: A.D. Bruce Religion Center / 1st Floor, University Chapel”
      Catholic Newman hosts Ash Wednesday Masses in the University Chapel of the A.D. Bruce Religion Center (7-8 AM, 12-1 PM, and 5-6 PM).
      “Date: Wednesday, February 10, 2027 Time: Various (See below)”
      The Ash Wednesday schedule is for February 10, 2027.

Concerns

  • The Catholic Student Organization is the only Catholic group in the Religion Center's list of faith-based student organizations.
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Organizations | A.D. Bruce Religion Center | University of Houstonuh.edu/adbruce/organizations/index.php · verified Oct. 8, 2026
      “Catholic Student Organization Welcome to the Catholic Coogs! Join our young, diverse, and energetic Catholic Community!”
      The Catholic Student Organization (Catholic Coogs) is listed among the university's faith-based student organizations.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

The Catholic center

Catholic Newman Center at the University of Houston

  • Address: A.D. Bruce Religion Center, Suite 108, 3841 Cullen Boulevard, Houston, TX 77204
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: office suite in the A.D. Bruce Religion Center

View on map ↗

Source: uh.edu, verified Oct. 8, 2026, uh.edu, verified Oct. 8, 2026, uh.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

  • Catholic Student Organization (Catholic Coogs)On campus
    Registered Catholic student organization listed among the university's faith-based student organizations.
    uh.edu

Liturgy and prayer 1

  • Ash Wednesday MassesOn campus
    Ash Wednesday (February 10, 2027): 7 AM, 12 PM, and 5 PM
    Three Masses hosted by Catholic Newman in the University Chapel of the A.D. Bruce Religion Center.
    uh.edu, uh.edu

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 (3)
  1. Campus Ministries | A.D. Bruce Religion Center | University of Houstonuh.edu/adbruce/campus-ministries/index.php · verified Oct. 8, 2026
    “As part of the evangelistic mission of the Church, the Catholic Newman Center serves the Catholic Campus community at the University of Houston through liturgy, fellowship, prayer, and education.”
    The university's Religion Center states that the Catholic Newman Center serves the Catholic campus community at the University of Houston.
    “Denomination Catholic Contact Information Location #1: AD Bruce, Suite 108 Location #2: 4805 Calhoun Road Phone: 713-748-2529 Contact: Rev. Charles K. Johnson”
    The Catholic Newman Association is located in Suite 108 of the A.D. Bruce Religion Center and at 4805 Calhoun Road; phone 713-748-2529; contact Rev. Charles K. Johnson.
    “As part of the evangelistic mission of the Church, the Catholic Newman Center serves the Catholic Campus community at the University of Houston through liturgy, fellowship, prayer, and education.”
    The university's Religion Center states that the Catholic Newman Center serves the Catholic campus community at the University of Houston.
    “Denomination Catholic Contact Information Location #1: AD Bruce, Suite 108 Location #2: 4805 Calhoun Road Phone: 713-748-2529 Contact: Rev. Charles K. Johnson”
    The Catholic Newman Association is located in Suite 108 of the A.D. Bruce Religion Center and at 4805 Calhoun Road; phone 713-748-2529; contact Rev. Charles K. Johnson.
  2. Student Organizations | A.D. Bruce Religion Center | University of Houstonuh.edu/adbruce/organizations/index.php · verified Oct. 8, 2026
    “Catholic Student Organization Welcome to the Catholic Coogs! Join our young, diverse, and energetic Catholic Community!”
    The Catholic Student Organization (Catholic Coogs) is listed among the university's faith-based student organizations.
  3. Contact Us | A.D. Bruce Religion Center | University of Houstonuh.edu/adbruce/about/contact.php · verified Oct. 8, 2026
    “GPS Map Address and Directions 3841 Cullen Boulevard University of Houston Houston, TX 77204-3050”
    The A.D. Bruce Religion Center, where the Catholic Newman Association has its Suite 108 office, is at 3841 Cullen Boulevard on the University of Houston campus.

Reach out

Contact details for Rev. Charles K. Johnson (Contact, Catholic Newman Association) and 1 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

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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.
67 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.65%
  • First-year retention 20% of scoreThis measure counts for 20% of the Academic Excellence score.87%
  • Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.SAT 1,250 · ACT 26
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.22 to 1
  • Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$9,920

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)
37,946
Total students46,676
Average net price (per year)
After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid
$14,276
Cost of attendance (per year)$26,185
Median federal debt at graduation$18,194
Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
65%
First-year retention87%
Median earnings 10 years after entry$62,377
Admission rate74%
Students receiving Pell grants42%
Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT1250
SAT reading & writing590–670
SAT math570–670
ACT composite23–29
Test policyConsidered but not required

Value index: 73 / 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 Galveston-Houston

The Most Reverend Joe S. Vásquez, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston

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 225511
  • 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)
  • Report an error or a newer source
  • Respond as this school

Questions families ask

Is University of Houston a Catholic college?
No. University of Houston is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by Catholic Newman Center (Catholic Newman Association).

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