Is University of Maryland-Baltimore County a Catholic college?

No. University of Maryland-Baltimore County is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by UMBC Catholic Retrievers.

Where is Mass celebrated at University of Maryland-Baltimore County?

Mass is listed at ILSB 402 (Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Building), CWB 118 (Center for Well Being), and CWB 103 (Center for Well Being). Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.

Is University of Maryland-Baltimore County Compass Recommended?

Yes. University of Maryland-Baltimore County meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic life on campus.

College · Catholic life on campus

University of Maryland-Baltimore County

LocationBaltimore, MD
Type and sizePublic · 4-year · 14,148 students

Official website Recommended badge

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

The UMBC Catholic Retrievers is a student-led Catholic ministry supported by the Archdiocese of Baltimore, with a Catholic chaplain and a campus minister. Its published schedule lists weekday Mass on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 12:10 PM and Sunday Mass at 5:15 PM on campus, with weekly Wednesday confession. Student offerings include a Knights of Columbus council, small groups, OCIA, retreats, and a Sunday supper.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 4

Monday12:10 PMILSB 402 (Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Building)
Wednesday12:10 PMCWB 118 (Center for Well Being)
Friday12:10 PMCWB 103 (Center for Well Being)
Sunday5:15 PMPHYS 101 (Physics Building)

Confession 2

Wednesday7:30 PMCWB 103 (Center for Well Being) · Until 8:30 PM.
Sunday4:00 PMPHYS 101 (Physics Building) · Third Sunday of the month, until 5:00 PM.

Adoration 2

Wednesday7:30 PMCWB 103 (Center for Well Being) · Until 8:30 PM.
Sunday4:00 PMPHYS 101 (Physics Building) · Third Sunday of the month, until 5:00 PM.

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)

Mass, Confession, & Adoration Times | UMBC Catholic Retrieverscatholicretrievers.org/mass-confession-ado · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Mass Monday | 12:10pm | ILSB 402 Wednesday | 12:10pm | CWB 118 Friday | 12:10pm | CWB 103 Sunday | 5:15pm | PHYS 101”
Mass is listed on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 12:10 PM and on Sunday at 5:15 PM, in campus buildings.
“Mass Monday | 12:10pm | ILSB 402 Wednesday | 12:10pm | CWB 118 Friday | 12:10pm | CWB 103 Sunday | 5:15pm | PHYS 101”
Mass is listed on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 12:10 PM and on Sunday at 5:15 PM, in campus buildings.
“Mass Monday | 12:10pm | ILSB 402 Wednesday | 12:10pm | CWB 118 Friday | 12:10pm | CWB 103 Sunday | 5:15pm | PHYS 101”
Mass is listed on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 12:10 PM and on Sunday at 5:15 PM, in campus buildings.
“Mass Monday | 12:10pm | ILSB 402 Wednesday | 12:10pm | CWB 118 Friday | 12:10pm | CWB 103 Sunday | 5:15pm | PHYS 101”
Mass is listed on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 12:10 PM and on Sunday at 5:15 PM, in campus buildings.
“Confession Wednesday | 7:30pm-8:30pm | CWB 103 3rd Sunday of the Month | 4pm-5pm | PHYS 101”
Confession is scheduled Wednesdays from 7:30 to 8:30 PM and on the third Sunday of the month from 4 to 5 PM.
“Confession Wednesday | 7:30pm-8:30pm | CWB 103 3rd Sunday of the Month | 4pm-5pm | PHYS 101”
Confession is scheduled Wednesdays from 7:30 to 8:30 PM and on the third Sunday of the month from 4 to 5 PM.
“Adoration Wednesday | 7:30pm-8:30pm | CWB 103 3rd Sunday of the Month | 4pm-5pm | PHYS 101”
Adoration is scheduled Wednesdays from 7:30 to 8:30 PM and on the third Sunday of the month from 4 to 5 PM.
“Adoration Wednesday | 7:30pm-8:30pm | CWB 103 3rd Sunday of the Month | 4pm-5pm | PHYS 101”
Adoration is scheduled Wednesdays from 7:30 to 8:30 PM and on the third Sunday of the month from 4 to 5 PM.

Plan a campus visit Mass times for your dates, questions to ask, and a calendar button.

Catholic churches nearby

CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›

Patronage of the Mother of God Byzantine Catholic Church — 0.9 mi · 1265 Linden Avenue, Halethorpe
Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church — 0.9 mi · 711 Maiden Choice Lane, Catonsville
Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church — 1.1 mi · 4414 Wilkens Avenue, Baltimore
Ascension Catholic Church — 1.6 mi · 4603 Poplar Avenue, Halethorpe
Saint Mark Catholic Church — 1.8 mi · 26 Melvin Avenue, Catonsville
Saint Timothy Community — 1.8 mi · 30 Melvin Avenue, Catonsville

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.

Catholic life on campus

83 of 100 points on what we could document.

Yes:
Catholic campus ministry serving this campus (Catholic center, campus ministry, or chaplaincy)Yes (The ministry is a student-led organization on campus supported by the Archdiocese of Baltimore, and the Archdiocese lists it as the UMBC campus ministry.)
Sources (2)
1. Our Mission | UMBC Catholic Retrieverscatholicretrievers.org/mission · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “We are a student-led organization on campus that is supported by the Archdiocese of Baltimore”
  The ministry is a student-led Catholic organization on the UMBC campus supported by the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
2. College Campus Ministry | Archdiocese of Baltimorearchbalt.org/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “University of Maryland Baltimore County – Catholic Chaplain: Fr. Matt Himes”
  The Archdiocese of Baltimore lists a Catholic chaplain for the University of Maryland Baltimore County.
Not enough information:
Dedicated Catholic center or chapel on or next to campusNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Yes:
Priest chaplain assigned to campus ministryFull-time priest chaplain (Fr. Matt Himes is presented as the ministry's chaplain and as the Catholic chaplain on the Archdiocese's list.)
Sources (2)
1. Our Mission | UMBC Catholic Retrieverscatholicretrievers.org/mission · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “guided by Christy Oberst, our Campus Minister & Fr. Matt Himes, our Chaplain.”
  Christy Oberst is the campus minister and Fr. Matt Himes is the chaplain of the ministry.
2. College Campus Ministry | Archdiocese of Baltimorearchbalt.org/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “University of Maryland Baltimore County – Catholic Chaplain: Fr. Matt Himes”
  The Archdiocese of Baltimore lists a Catholic chaplain for the University of Maryland Baltimore County.
Partly:
Weekday Mass at the campus ministry1–4 weekdays (Mass is listed on three weekdays: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 12:10 PM, on campus.)
Sources (1)
1. Mass, Confession, & Adoration Times | UMBC Catholic Retrieverscatholicretrievers.org/mass-confession-ado · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Mass Monday | 12:10pm | ILSB 402 Wednesday | 12:10pm | CWB 118 Friday | 12:10pm | CWB 103 Sunday | 5:15pm | PHYS 101”
  Mass is listed on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 12:10 PM and on Sunday at 5:15 PM, in campus buildings.
Partly:
Sunday Mass at the campus ministry or a campus chapelOne weekend Mass (One weekend Mass is listed: Sunday at 5:15 PM in PHYS 101 on campus.)
Sources (1)
1. Mass, Confession, & Adoration Times | UMBC Catholic Retrieverscatholicretrievers.org/mass-confession-ado · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Mass Monday | 12:10pm | ILSB 402 Wednesday | 12:10pm | CWB 118 Friday | 12:10pm | CWB 103 Sunday | 5:15pm | PHYS 101”
  Mass is listed on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 12:10 PM and on Sunday at 5:15 PM, in campus buildings.
Yes:
Scheduled confession at the campus ministryWeekly or more often (Confession is scheduled every Wednesday from 7:30 to 8:30 PM in CWB 103.)
Sources (1)
1. Mass, Confession, & Adoration Times | UMBC Catholic Retrieverscatholicretrievers.org/mass-confession-ado · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Confession Wednesday | 7:30pm-8:30pm | CWB 103 3rd Sunday of the Month | 4pm-5pm | PHYS 101”
  Confession is scheduled Wednesdays from 7:30 to 8:30 PM and on the third Sunday of the month from 4 to 5 PM.
Yes:
Catholic student groups and missionary outreach (e.g., FOCUS, Saint Paul's Outreach, Knights of Columbus, Bible studies)Two or more (Two groups are listed: the Knights of Columbus college council St. Jose Sanchez del Rio Council #18656, and the Catholic Retrievers men's and women's small groups.)
Sources (2)
1. Men's Ministry | UMBC Catholic Retrieverscatholicretrievers.org/men · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS AT UMBC St. José Sánchez del Río Council #18656”
  A Knights of Columbus college council, St. José Sánchez del Río Council #18656, is listed at UMBC.
2. Bible Studies & Small Groups | UMBC Catholic Retrieverscatholicretrievers.org/bible-study · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Join a Catholic Retrievers small group! We offer men’s and women’s groups to deepen our relationship with Christ through prayer, meaningful conversation, and lasting friendships.”
  The ministry offers men's and women's small groups and Bible studies.
Yes:
Formation programs (retreats, OCIA/RCIA, service, small groups)Two or more kinds (Several kinds are listed: OCIA, retreats, Upper Room formation, small groups, and service opportunities.)
Sources (5)
1. Bible Studies & Small Groups | UMBC Catholic Retrieverscatholicretrievers.org/bible-study · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Join a Catholic Retrievers small group! We offer men’s and women’s groups to deepen our relationship with Christ through prayer, meaningful conversation, and lasting friendships.”
  The ministry offers men's and women's small groups and Bible studies.
2. OCIA | UMBC Catholic Retrieverscatholicretrievers.org/ocia · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA; previously referred to as RCIA) is an opportunity to learn more about the Catholic Faith and become fully initiated into the Catholic Church through reception of the sacraments.”
  The ministry offers OCIA for adults seeking the sacraments of initiation.
3. Retreats | UMBC Catholic Retrieverscatholicretrievers.org/retreats · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Join us for an incredible weekend for BEHOLD, our Fall Retreat! Come get away for community, prayer, talks, bonfire, games, and so much more!”
  The ministry runs a fall retreat, scheduled for October 23-25, 2026, at O'Dwyer Retreat Center.
4. Upper Room Formation | UMBC Catholic Retrieverscatholicretrievers.org/upper-room · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Upper Room is the Catholic Retrievers’ monthly formation program.”
  The ministry runs a monthly formation program called Upper Room.
5. Service & Justice | UMBC Catholic Retrieverscatholicretrievers.org/service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “First Fruits Farm is a nonprofit, Christian ministry dedicated to providing fresh, nutritious food for the hungry through volunteer service and community partnerships.”
  The ministry lists service opportunities, including volunteer work at First Fruits Farm.
Yes:
Catholic church within walking distance (computed from OpenStreetMap)Within 1 mile of campusComputed from OpenStreetMap church locations.
Partly:
Published weekly schedule of Mass, confession, and adoration6 to 11 times a week (8 weekly times documented: 4 Mass, 2 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 three weekdays on campus, and a Sunday Mass is listed on campus at 5:15 PM.
Sources (1)
1. Mass, Confession, & Adoration Times | UMBC Catholic Retrieverscatholicretrievers.org/mass-confession-ado · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Mass Monday | 12:10pm | ILSB 402 Wednesday | 12:10pm | CWB 118 Friday | 12:10pm | CWB 103 Sunday | 5:15pm | PHYS 101”
  Mass is listed on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 12:10 PM and on Sunday at 5:15 PM, in campus buildings.
Weekly Wednesday confession and adoration are listed on campus.
Sources (1)
1. Mass, Confession, & Adoration Times | UMBC Catholic Retrieverscatholicretrievers.org/mass-confession-ado · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Confession Wednesday | 7:30pm-8:30pm | CWB 103 3rd Sunday of the Month | 4pm-5pm | PHYS 101”
  Confession is scheduled Wednesdays from 7:30 to 8:30 PM and on the third Sunday of the month from 4 to 5 PM.
  “Adoration Wednesday | 7:30pm-8:30pm | CWB 103 3rd Sunday of the Month | 4pm-5pm | PHYS 101”
  Adoration is scheduled Wednesdays from 7:30 to 8:30 PM and on the third Sunday of the month from 4 to 5 PM.
A Knights of Columbus council and small groups are listed among student offerings.
Sources (2)
1. Men's Ministry | UMBC Catholic Retrieverscatholicretrievers.org/men · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS AT UMBC St. José Sánchez del Río Council #18656”
  A Knights of Columbus college council, St. José Sánchez del Río Council #18656, is listed at UMBC.
2. Bible Studies & Small Groups | UMBC Catholic Retrieverscatholicretrievers.org/bible-study · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Join a Catholic Retrievers small group! We offer men’s and women’s groups to deepen our relationship with Christ through prayer, meaningful conversation, and lasting friendships.”
  The ministry offers men's and women's small groups and Bible studies.

Concerns

The ministry's events take place in general campus buildings.
Sources (1)
1. Mass, Confession, & Adoration Times | UMBC Catholic Retrieverscatholicretrievers.org/mass-confession-ado · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Mass Monday | 12:10pm | ILSB 402 Wednesday | 12:10pm | CWB 118 Friday | 12:10pm | CWB 103 Sunday | 5:15pm | PHYS 101”
  Mass is listed on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 12:10 PM and on Sunday at 5:15 PM, in campus buildings.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

The Catholic center

UMBC Catholic Retrievers (campus ministry; events held in campus buildings)

Address: 30 Melvin Ave., Catonsville, MD 21228
Distance from campus: 1.8 mi (straight line from the campus point in federal IPEDS data)
Facilities: gathering space in the Center for Well Being

View on map ↗

Source: catholicretrievers.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

10 groups and regular activities · 3 on campus, 3 off campus, 4 location not published

Retreats 2

BEHOLD Fall RetreatOff campus
October 23-25, 2026
Weekend retreat at O'Dwyer Retreat Center for community, prayer, talks, and a bonfire.
catholicretrievers.org
SEEK conferenceOff campus
January 1-5, 2027
Annual conference of FOCUS in Columbus, Ohio, promoted by the ministry.
catholicretrievers.org

Service 1

Service opportunities (First Fruits Farm, March for Life, SALT Ministries)Off campus
Volunteer service and pro-life events listed by the ministry, including vegetable harvesting at First Fruits Farm and marches for life.
catholicretrievers.org

Clubs and groups 2

Knights of Columbus, St. José Sánchez del Río Council #18656On campus
College council of the Knights of Columbus at UMBC; meets for planning, fraternity, and service.
catholicretrievers.org
Men's and women's small groups
Weekly groups, with a Monday 10 AM and 3:30 PM men's schedule listed
Small groups for prayer, Bible study, and fellowship, with men's and women's groups offered.
catholicretrievers.org

Liturgy and prayer 1

RosaryOn campus
Tuesdays 11:45 AM
Weekly rosary in CWB 118.
catholicretrievers.org

Social life 2

Sunday SupperOn campus
Sundays, after the 5:15 PM Mass
Free dinner for students in the Center for Well Being Gathering Space, following Sunday Mass.
catholicretrievers.org
T3 Monthly Social (Totus Tuus Tonight)
Usually the third Thursday, 7-9 PM
Monthly social event for students.
catholicretrievers.org

Faith formation 2

OCIA
Formation process for adults seeking to become Catholic or complete their sacraments.
catholicretrievers.org
Upper Room
Monthly formation program; the current topic is the Works of Mercy.
catholicretrievers.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

UMBC Catholic Retrievers

Sources (3)

Our Mission | UMBC Catholic Retrieverscatholicretrievers.org/mission · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“We are a student-led organization on campus that is supported by the Archdiocese of Baltimore”
The ministry is a student-led Catholic organization on the UMBC campus supported by the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
College Campus Ministry | Archdiocese of Baltimorearchbalt.org/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“University of Maryland Baltimore County – Catholic Chaplain: Fr. Matt Himes”
The Archdiocese of Baltimore lists a Catholic chaplain for the University of Maryland Baltimore County.
UMBC Catholic Retrieverscatholicretrievers.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“30 Melvin Ave. Catonsville, MD 21228 umbccatholic@gmail.com”
The ministry publishes a mailing address of 30 Melvin Avenue, Catonsville, and a general email.

Reach out

Contact details for Christy Oberst (Campus Minister) and 2 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

76 of 100

From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

Graduation rate 35% of score70%
First-year retention 20% of score85%
Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreSAT 1,323 · ACT 28
Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of score17 to 1
Instructional spending per student 15% of score$14,455

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 · America East
Setting	Suburb
ROTC	Army · Navy · Air Force
Study abroad	Offered
Students per faculty member	17 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)	10,490
Total students	14,148
Average net price (per year) After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid	$16,467
Cost of attendance (per year)	$28,576
Median federal debt at graduation	$19,500
Graduation rate First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time	70%
First-year retention	85%
Median earnings 10 years after entry	$69,960
Admission rate	72%
Students receiving Pell grants	30%

Admitted students’ middle range:SAT 1240–1420ACT 25–31

Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT	1323
SAT reading & writing	630–700
SAT math	610–720
ACT composite	25–31
Test policy	Considered but not required

Value index: 75 / 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 Baltimore

The Most Reverend William E. Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Cathedral: Cathedral of Mary Our Queen

Source: archbalt.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 163268
Carnegie classification: Doctoral university (very high research)
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (U.S. Department of Education DAPIP)
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Questions families ask

Is University of Maryland-Baltimore County a Catholic college?: No. University of Maryland-Baltimore County is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by UMBC Catholic Retrievers.
What is University of Maryland-Baltimore County’s Catholic Life Score?: 82 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 University of Maryland-Baltimore County?: Mass is listed at ILSB 402 (Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Building), CWB 118 (Center for Well Being), and CWB 103 (Center for Well Being). Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.
Is University of Maryland-Baltimore County Compass Recommended?: Yes. University of Maryland-Baltimore County meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic life on campus.

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