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University of Minnesota-Duluth: 2009-0617-UMD-Darland
Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

College · Catholic life on campus

University of Minnesota-Duluth

  • LocationDuluth, MN
  • Type and sizePublic · 4-year · 9,350 students
Official website

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

BulldogCatholic is the Newman Center campus ministry for the University of Minnesota Duluth, at 421 W Saint Marie Street. Mass is listed on every weekday and on Sundays at Kirby Student Center and the Cathedral, and confession is scheduled several times a week during the school year. Groups listed include FOCUS missionaries, Bible studies and OCIA, and a fall retreat is scheduled for November 2026.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 7

  • Sunday10:30 AMKirby Student Center
  • Sunday6:00 PMCathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary
  • Monday8:00 AMNot stated on page
  • Tuesday5:30 PMNot stated on page
  • Wednesday7:00 PMNot stated on page
  • Thursday5:30 PMCathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary
Show 1 more mass times
  • Friday12:05 PMNot stated on page

Confession 6

  • Tuesday5:00 PMNewman Center · School year.
  • Wednesday6:30 PMNewman Center · School year.
  • Friday11:30 AMNewman Center · School year.
  • Sunday9:45 AMKirby Ballroom · School year.
  • Sunday5:15 PMCathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary · School year.
  • Thursday5:00 PMCathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary · School year.

Adoration 4

  • Tuesday8:00 AMNot stated on page · Runs until 5:30 PM.
  • Wednesday8:00 AMNot stated on page · Runs until 4:00 PM.
  • Thursday8:00 AMNot stated on page · Runs until 5:00 PM.
  • Friday8:00 AMNot stated on page · Runs until 12:05 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 (2)
  1. Mass Times / Weekly Schedule | bulldogCatholicbulldogcatholic.org/mass-times-weekly-schedule · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “10:30am at the Kirby Student Center.”
    Sunday Mass is celebrated at 10:30 AM at the Kirby Student Center.
    “6pm at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary.”
    Sunday Mass is also celebrated at 6 PM at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary.
    “Monday: 8:00 a.m.”
    Daily Mass is listed on Monday at 8:00 AM.
    “Tuesday: 5:30 p.m.”
    Daily Mass is listed on Tuesday at 5:30 PM.
    “Wednesday 7:00 p.m.”
    Daily Mass is listed on Wednesday at 7:00 PM.
    “Thursday: 5:30 p.m. at Cathedral”
    Daily Mass is listed on Thursday at 5:30 PM at the Cathedral.
    “Friday: 12:05 p.m.”
    Daily Mass is listed on Friday at 12:05 PM.
    “Tuesday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.”
    Adoration is offered Tuesday from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM.
    “Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.”
    Adoration is offered Wednesday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
    “Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.”
    Adoration is offered Thursday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
    “Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 12:05 p.m.”
    Adoration is offered Friday from 8:00 AM to 12:05 PM.
  2. I Want to Go to Confession | bulldogCatholicbulldogcatholic.org/go-to-confession · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Tuesday | 5:00 p.m. at Newman”
    Confession is scheduled Tuesday at 5:00 PM at the Newman Center.
    “Wednesday | 6:30 p.m. at Newman”
    Confession is scheduled Wednesday at 6:30 PM at the Newman Center.
    “Friday | 11:30 a.m. at Newman”
    Confession is scheduled Friday at 11:30 AM at the Newman Center.
    “Sunday | 9:45 a.m. at Kirby Ballroom & 5:15 p.m. at the Cathedral”
    Confession is scheduled Sunday at 9:45 AM at Kirby Ballroom and at 5:15 PM at the Cathedral.
    “Sunday | 9:45 a.m. at Kirby Ballroom & 5:15 p.m. at the Cathedral”
    Confession is scheduled Sunday at 9:45 AM at Kirby Ballroom and at 5:15 PM at the Cathedral.
    “Thursday | 5:00 p.m. at the Cathedral”
    Confession is scheduled Thursday at 5:00 PM at the Cathedral.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of University of Minnesota-Duluth, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miCathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary: 0.8 mi1Loaves & Fishes Catholic Worker: 1.1 mi2Saint Mary Star of the Sea: 1.8 mi3bulldogCatholic (Duluth Newman Center): 0.4 miUniversity of Minnesota-Duluth (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary — 0.8 mi · 2801 East 4th Street, Duluth
  2. Loaves & Fishes Catholic Worker — 1.1 mi
  3. Saint Mary Star of the Sea — 1.8 mi · 325 East 3rd Street, Duluth

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.

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

84 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 (The ministry's own site describes its mission to UMD students.)
    Sources (3)
    1. Mass Times / Weekly Schedule | bulldogCatholicbulldogcatholic.org/mass-times-weekly-schedule · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Our mission is to bring the Gospel to UMD, ensuring every Duluth student feels seen, known, and loved.”
      The ministry's mission is to bring the Gospel to UMD students.
    2. About Us | bulldogCatholicbulldogcatholic.org/about-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Chaplain for the Newman Center at the University of Minnesota-Duluth”
      Fr. Mike Schmitz is chaplain for the Newman Center at UMD and also director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Duluth.
    3. Campuses | FOCUSfocus.org/about/campuses · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “University of Minnesota Duluth”
      FOCUS lists the University of Minnesota Duluth among the campuses it serves.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Dedicated Catholic center or chapel on or next to campusYes (The Duluth Newman Center at 421 W. Saint Marie St. is about 0.4 mile from the university's address.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Mass Times / Weekly Schedule | bulldogCatholicbulldogcatholic.org/mass-times-weekly-schedule · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Our ministry address of 421 W Saint Marie St, Duluth, MN 55811”
      The ministry's address is 421 W Saint Marie Street, Duluth, MN 55811.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Priest chaplain assigned to campus ministryPart-time or shared priest (Named as Newman Center chaplain; also listed as the diocese's director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry.)
    Sources (2)
    1. About Us | bulldogCatholicbulldogcatholic.org/about-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Chaplain for the Newman Center at the University of Minnesota-Duluth”
      Fr. Mike Schmitz is chaplain for the Newman Center at UMD and also director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Duluth.
    2. Mass Times / Weekly Schedule | bulldogCatholicbulldogcatholic.org/mass-times-weekly-schedule · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. Mike Schmitz celebrates all Sunday Masses.”
      Fr. Mike Schmitz celebrates all Sunday Masses.
  • 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.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Sunday Mass at the campus ministry or a campus chapelOne weekend Mass (Sunday Mass at Kirby Student Center at 10:30 AM. The 6:00 PM Sunday Mass is at the Cathedral and is not counted.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Mass Times / Weekly Schedule | bulldogCatholicbulldogcatholic.org/mass-times-weekly-schedule · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “10:30am at the Kirby Student Center.”
      Sunday Mass is celebrated at 10:30 AM at the Kirby Student Center.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Scheduled confession at the campus ministryWeekly or more often (School-year schedule; confession listed six times a week.)
    Sources (1)
    1. I Want to Go to Confession | bulldogCatholicbulldogcatholic.org/go-to-confession · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Tuesday | 5:00 p.m. at Newman”
      Confession is scheduled Tuesday at 5:00 PM at the Newman Center.
      “Wednesday | 6:30 p.m. at Newman”
      Confession is scheduled Wednesday at 6:30 PM at the Newman Center.
      “Friday | 11:30 a.m. at Newman”
      Confession is scheduled Friday at 11:30 AM at the Newman Center.
      “Sunday | 9:45 a.m. at Kirby Ballroom & 5:15 p.m. at the Cathedral”
      Confession is scheduled Sunday at 9:45 AM at Kirby Ballroom and at 5:15 PM at the Cathedral.
      “Thursday | 5:00 p.m. at the Cathedral”
      Confession is scheduled Thursday at 5:00 PM at the Cathedral.
  • 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 missionaries and Bible study groups.)
    Sources (3)
    1. Campuses | FOCUSfocus.org/about/campuses · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “University of Minnesota Duluth”
      FOCUS lists the University of Minnesota Duluth among the campuses it serves.
    2. Missionaries | bulldogCatholicbulldogcatholic.org/missionaries · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Our 2026-2027 FOCUS Missionaries”
      FOCUS missionaries serve the ministry for 2026-2027.
    3. Bible Studies | bulldogCatholicbulldogcatholic.org/events/bible-studies · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Community Bible Study”
      The ministry offers a Community Bible Study.
      “Student Lead Bible Study”
      The ministry offers a student-led Bible study.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Formation programs (retreats, OCIA/RCIA, service, small groups)Two or more kinds (OCIA, a fall retreat and Bible studies.)
    Sources (3)
    1. Becoming Catholic - OCIA | bulldogCatholicbulldogcatholic.org/events/ocia · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Welcome to our OCIA course!”
      The ministry offers an OCIA course.
    2. Fall Retreat | bulldogCatholicbulldogcatholic.org/events/fan-into-flame · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Big Sandy Camp in McGregor, MN”
      The ministry's fall retreat is November 13 to 15 at Big Sandy Camp in McGregor, MN.
    3. Bible Studies | bulldogCatholicbulldogcatholic.org/events/bible-studies · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Community Bible Study”
      The ministry offers a Community Bible Study.
  • 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.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Published weekly schedule of Mass, confession, and adoration12 to 19 times a week (17 weekly times documented: 7 Mass, 6 confession, 4 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 every weekday, with Sunday Mass at Kirby Student Center and the Cathedral.
    Sources (1)
    1. Mass Times / Weekly Schedule | bulldogCatholicbulldogcatholic.org/mass-times-weekly-schedule · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Monday: 8:00 a.m.”
      Daily Mass is listed on Monday at 8:00 AM.
      “Tuesday: 5:30 p.m.”
      Daily Mass is listed on Tuesday at 5:30 PM.
      “Wednesday 7:00 p.m.”
      Daily Mass is listed on Wednesday at 7:00 PM.
      “Thursday: 5:30 p.m. at Cathedral”
      Daily Mass is listed on Thursday at 5:30 PM at the Cathedral.
      “Friday: 12:05 p.m.”
      Daily Mass is listed on Friday at 12:05 PM.
      “10:30am at the Kirby Student Center.”
      Sunday Mass is celebrated at 10:30 AM at the Kirby Student Center.
  • Confession is scheduled six times a week during the school year.
    Sources (1)
    1. I Want to Go to Confession | bulldogCatholicbulldogcatholic.org/go-to-confession · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Tuesday | 5:00 p.m. at Newman”
      Confession is scheduled Tuesday at 5:00 PM at the Newman Center.
      “Wednesday | 6:30 p.m. at Newman”
      Confession is scheduled Wednesday at 6:30 PM at the Newman Center.
      “Friday | 11:30 a.m. at Newman”
      Confession is scheduled Friday at 11:30 AM at the Newman Center.
      “Sunday | 9:45 a.m. at Kirby Ballroom & 5:15 p.m. at the Cathedral”
      Confession is scheduled Sunday at 9:45 AM at Kirby Ballroom and at 5:15 PM at the Cathedral.
      “Thursday | 5:00 p.m. at the Cathedral”
      Confession is scheduled Thursday at 5:00 PM at the Cathedral.
  • OCIA is held on campus, and FOCUS missionaries and several Bible studies are listed.
    Sources (3)
    1. Becoming Catholic - OCIA | bulldogCatholicbulldogcatholic.org/events/ocia · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Our OCIA classes take place on campus at Griggs.”
      OCIA classes take place on campus at Griggs.
    2. Campuses | FOCUSfocus.org/about/campuses · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “University of Minnesota Duluth”
      FOCUS lists the University of Minnesota Duluth among the campuses it serves.
    3. Bible Studies | bulldogCatholicbulldogcatholic.org/events/bible-studies · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Community Bible Study”
      The ministry offers a Community Bible Study.

Concerns

  • The chaplain is also listed as the diocese's director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry.
    Sources (1)
    1. About Us | bulldogCatholicbulldogcatholic.org/about-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Chaplain for the Newman Center at the University of Minnesota-Duluth”
      Fr. Mike Schmitz is chaplain for the Newman Center at UMD and also director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Duluth.
  • Only the Thursday weekday Mass is placed at a location; the other weekday Masses are not.
    Sources (1)
    1. Mass Times / Weekly Schedule | bulldogCatholicbulldogcatholic.org/mass-times-weekly-schedule · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Monday: 8:00 a.m.”
      Daily Mass is listed on Monday at 8:00 AM.
      “Tuesday: 5:30 p.m.”
      Daily Mass is listed on Tuesday at 5:30 PM.
      “Wednesday 7:00 p.m.”
      Daily Mass is listed on Wednesday at 7:00 PM.
      “Friday: 12:05 p.m.”
      Daily Mass is listed on Friday at 12:05 PM.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

The Catholic center

bulldogCatholic (Duluth Newman Center)

  • Address: 421 W Saint Marie Street, Duluth, MN 55811
  • Distance from campus: 0.4 mi (straight line from the campus point in federal IPEDS data)
  • Facilities: Conference rooms, Basement meeting space

View on map ↗

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

Catholic clubs and student life

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

Retreats 1

  • Fan into Flame fall retreatOff campus
    November 13-15, 2026
    Retreat at Big Sandy Camp in McGregor, MN.
    bulldogcatholic.org

Faith formation 2

Clubs and groups 1

Social life 1

  • Mass & Meal
    Thursdays after the 5:30 PM Mass
    Shared meal after Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary.
    bulldogcatholic.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 (1)
  1. Mass Times / Weekly Schedule | bulldogCatholicbulldogcatholic.org/mass-times-weekly-schedule · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Our mission is to bring the Gospel to UMD, ensuring every Duluth student feels seen, known, and loved.”
    The ministry's mission is to bring the Gospel to UMD students.
    “Our ministry address of 421 W Saint Marie St, Duluth, MN 55811”
    The ministry's address is 421 W Saint Marie Street, Duluth, MN 55811.
    “Our ministry address of 421 W Saint Marie St, Duluth, MN 55811”
    The ministry's address is 421 W Saint Marie Street, Duluth, MN 55811.

Reach out

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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.
69 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.81%
  • Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.SAT 1,251 · ACT 25.5
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.16 to 1
  • Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$8,746

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)
8,525
Total students9,350
Average net price (per year)
After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid
$18,743
Cost of attendance (per year)$27,680
Median federal debt at graduation$22,024
Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
65%
First-year retention81%
Median earnings 10 years after entry$62,616
Admission rate89%
Students receiving Pell grants19%
Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT1251
SAT reading & writing590–675
SAT math590–675
ACT composite23–28
Test policyConsidered but not required

Value index: 65 / 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 Duluth

The Most Reverend Daniel J. Felton, Bishop of Duluth

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

Questions families ask

Is University of Minnesota-Duluth a Catholic college?
No. University of Minnesota-Duluth is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by bulldogCatholic (Duluth Newman Center).
What is University of Minnesota-Duluth’s Catholic Life Score?
80 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 Minnesota-Duluth?
Mass is listed at Kirby Student Center, Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary, and Not stated on page. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.
Is University of Minnesota-Duluth Compass Recommended?
Yes. University of Minnesota-Duluth meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic life on campus.

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