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University of Nebraska at Omaha: UNO Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center
Photo: Declan M. Martin, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

College · Catholic life on campus

University of Nebraska at Omaha

  • LocationOmaha, NE
  • Type and sizePublic · 4-year · 15,015 students
Official website
Campus Ministry Honor Roll badge

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

The St. John Paul II Newman Center, a Catholic campus ministry and student housing community, sits right next to the University of Nebraska Omaha campus and serves college students across the Omaha area. Its Director/Pastor, Fr. Dan Andrews, is listed on the center's staff page, and the center publishes Masses on weekdays and twice on Sundays, with reconciliation before each Mass. Published programs include FOCUS small groups, OCIA, weekly Catholic 101 lectures, and a Sunday student dinner.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 4

  • Monday–Thursday8:30 PMJPII Newman Center
  • Friday12:00 PMJPII Newman Center
  • Sunday10:30 AMJPII Newman Center
  • Sunday5:30 PMJPII Newman Center

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)
  1. Mass Times and Ministry - JPII Newman Center Omahajpiiomaha.org/mass · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Student Mass Times Sunday: 10:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. FREE dinner at 6:00 p.m. Monday: 8:30 p.m. Tuesday: 8:30 p.m. Wednesday: 8:30 p.m. Thursday: 8:30 p.m. Friday: 12:00 p.m. (noon)”
    Mass is listed Monday through Friday and on Sunday at the center, with two Sunday Masses.
    “Student Mass Times Sunday: 10:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. FREE dinner at 6:00 p.m. Monday: 8:30 p.m. Tuesday: 8:30 p.m. Wednesday: 8:30 p.m. Thursday: 8:30 p.m. Friday: 12:00 p.m. (noon)”
    Mass is listed Monday through Friday and on Sunday at the center, with two Sunday Masses.
    “Student Mass Times Sunday: 10:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. FREE dinner at 6:00 p.m. Monday: 8:30 p.m. Tuesday: 8:30 p.m. Wednesday: 8:30 p.m. Thursday: 8:30 p.m. Friday: 12:00 p.m. (noon)”
    Mass is listed Monday through Friday and on Sunday at the center, with two Sunday Masses.
    “Student Mass Times Sunday: 10:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. FREE dinner at 6:00 p.m. Monday: 8:30 p.m. Tuesday: 8:30 p.m. Wednesday: 8:30 p.m. Thursday: 8:30 p.m. Friday: 12:00 p.m. (noon)”
    Mass is listed Monday through Friday and on Sunday at the center, with two Sunday Masses.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of University of Nebraska at Omaha, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miSaint Margaret Mary Catholic Church: 0.2 mi1Holy Cross Church: 1.5 mi2Saint Cecilia Cathedral: 2.0 mi3Christ the King Church: 2.0 mi4St. Joan of Arc Parish: 2.3 mi5St Thomas More Catholic Church: 2.5 mi6St. John Paul II Newman Center (JPII Newman Center): 1.0 miUniversity of Nebraska at Omaha (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Saint Margaret Mary Catholic Church — 0.2 mi
  2. Holy Cross Church — 1.5 mi
  3. Saint Cecilia Cathedral — 2.0 mi
  4. Christ the King Church — 2.0 mi · 654 South 86th Street, Omaha
  5. St. Joan of Arc Parish — 2.3 mi · 7501 Vinton Street, Omaha
  6. St Thomas More Catholic Church — 2.5 mi · 4804 Grover Street, Omaha

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.

ACatholic life on campus: Strong (grade A): 85 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

89 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 archdiocese describes the center as a Catholic campus ministry right next to the UNO campus; the center's own site says its community began as MavCatholic on UNO's campus.)
    Sources (2)
    1. St. John Paul II Newman Center - Archdiocese of Omahaarchomaha.org/st-john-paul-ii-newman-center · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “A unique community for college students, right next to the University of Nebraska Omaha campus”
      The archdiocese describes the St. John Paul II Newman Center as a Catholic campus ministry and student housing community right next to the UNO campus.
    2. About - JPII Newman Center Omahajpiiomaha.org/about · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Our community began as a movement on UNO’s campus known as MavCatholic. In 2016, the JPII Newman Center was built as the new home for MavCatholic”
      The center grew out of a Catholic student movement on the UNO campus called MavCatholic.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Dedicated Catholic center or chapel on or next to campusYes (The center is described as right next to the UNO campus and includes the St. John Paul II Oratory.)
    Sources (1)
    1. St. John Paul II Newman Center - Archdiocese of Omahaarchomaha.org/st-john-paul-ii-newman-center · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “A unique community for college students, right next to the University of Nebraska Omaha campus”
      The archdiocese describes the St. John Paul II Newman Center as a Catholic campus ministry and student housing community right next to the UNO campus.
      “Serene space in the beautiful St. John Paul II Oratory”
      The center has a St. John Paul II Oratory for prayer.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priest chaplain assigned to campus ministryFull-time priest chaplain (Fr. Dan Andrews is listed as Director/Pastor with no other assignment listed on the About page. Fr. Scott Schilmoeller is also listed there as Director of Vocations and Priest-in-Residence.)
    Sources (1)
    1. About - JPII Newman Center Omahajpiiomaha.org/about · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Father Dan Andrews Director/Pastor Dan.Andrews@JPiiOmaha.org”
      Fr. Dan Andrews is listed as Director/Pastor of the JPII Newman Center.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Weekday Mass at the campus ministryEvery weekday (5 or more weekdays) (Masses are listed Monday through Friday at the center, which the center describes as a parish for college students.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Mass Times and Ministry - JPII Newman Center Omahajpiiomaha.org/mass · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Student Mass Times Sunday: 10:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. FREE dinner at 6:00 p.m. Monday: 8:30 p.m. Tuesday: 8:30 p.m. Wednesday: 8:30 p.m. Thursday: 8:30 p.m. Friday: 12:00 p.m. (noon)”
      Mass is listed Monday through Friday and on Sunday at the center, with two Sunday Masses.
      “The JPII Newman Center is a parish for college students in the Omaha area.”
      The center operates as a parish for college students, so its Masses are held at the center.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Sunday Mass at the campus ministry or a campus chapelTwo or more weekend Masses (Sunday Masses at 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Mass Times and Ministry - JPII Newman Center Omahajpiiomaha.org/mass · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Student Mass Times Sunday: 10:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. FREE dinner at 6:00 p.m. Monday: 8:30 p.m. Tuesday: 8:30 p.m. Wednesday: 8:30 p.m. Thursday: 8:30 p.m. Friday: 12:00 p.m. (noon)”
      Mass is listed Monday through Friday and on Sunday at the center, with two Sunday Masses.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Scheduled confession at the campus ministryWeekly or more often (Reconciliation is listed as available 30 minutes before each Mass, which occurs Monday through Friday and on Sunday.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Mass Times and Ministry - JPII Newman Center Omahajpiiomaha.org/mass · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Reconciliation is available 30 minutes before each Mass.”
      Reconciliation is scheduled before each Mass.
  • 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 only Catholic student group confirmed on official pages is FOCUS, which leads the small groups and Bible studies. It is not counted.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Mass Times and Ministry - JPII Newman Center Omahajpiiomaha.org/mass · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “At JPII Newman, our FOCUS missionaries lead small groups while at the same time building up student leaders to begin their own small groups.”
      FOCUS missionaries lead small groups at the center.
      “We have over 30+ weekly bible studies that work with your schedule.”
      The center's FOCUS small groups include weekly Bible studies.
    2. Campuses - FOCUSfocus.org/about/campuses · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “University of Nebraska OmahaWayne State College”
      FOCUS lists the University of Nebraska Omaha among the campuses it serves.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Formation programs (retreats, OCIA/RCIA, service, small groups)Two or more kinds (Three kinds are listed: formation (OCIA and Catholic 101), retreats, and service trips.)
    Sources (4)
    1. St. John Paul II Newman Center - Archdiocese of Omahaarchomaha.org/st-john-paul-ii-newman-center · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “We offer dedicated study and prayer spaces, and a host of activities such as Bible studies, guest speakers, daily Mass, service trips and more.”
      The center offers study and prayer spaces, Bible studies, daily Mass, and service trips.
    2. Mass Times and Ministry - JPII Newman Center Omahajpiiomaha.org/mass · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Every Monday night at 7:30pm in the Newman Leadership Center, Dcn. Omar Guterriez lectures on the Catholic faith in his Catholic 101 seminar series.”
      A weekly Catholic 101 lecture series is held Monday evenings at the center.
    3. OCIA - JPII Newman Center Omahajpiiomaha.org/ocia · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) is the fancy name for the process of inquiry and learning that takes place on the road to joining the Church.”
      The center runs OCIA, the process for adults joining the Catholic Church.
    4. JPII Newman Center Omahajpiiomaha.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Daily Mass, retreats, and small faith groups.”
      The center lists daily Mass, retreats, and small faith groups among its offerings.
  • 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 adoration6 to 11 times a week (7 weekly times documented: 7 Mass, 0 confession, 0 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 published on weekdays and twice on Sundays at the center, with reconciliation before each Mass.
    Sources (1)
    1. Mass Times and Ministry - JPII Newman Center Omahajpiiomaha.org/mass · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Student Mass Times Sunday: 10:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. FREE dinner at 6:00 p.m. Monday: 8:30 p.m. Tuesday: 8:30 p.m. Wednesday: 8:30 p.m. Thursday: 8:30 p.m. Friday: 12:00 p.m. (noon)”
      Mass is listed Monday through Friday and on Sunday at the center, with two Sunday Masses.
      “Reconciliation is available 30 minutes before each Mass.”
      Reconciliation is scheduled before each Mass.
  • The center is right next to the UNO campus and has its own oratory and student housing.
    Sources (2)
    1. St. John Paul II Newman Center - Archdiocese of Omahaarchomaha.org/st-john-paul-ii-newman-center · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “A unique community for college students, right next to the University of Nebraska Omaha campus”
      The archdiocese describes the St. John Paul II Newman Center as a Catholic campus ministry and student housing community right next to the UNO campus.
      “Serene space in the beautiful St. John Paul II Oratory”
      The center has a St. John Paul II Oratory for prayer.
    2. Contact Us - JPII Newman Center Omahajpiiomaha.org/contact · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “JPII Newman is off-campus housing and home to over 150 residents from different Omaha-area colleges.”
      The center's housing is off campus and houses over 150 residents from Omaha-area colleges.
  • A pastor is listed as director of the center, and the center publishes OCIA, Catholic 101 lectures, and a weekly Community Night.
    Sources (4)
    1. About - JPII Newman Center Omahajpiiomaha.org/about · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Father Dan Andrews Director/Pastor Dan.Andrews@JPiiOmaha.org”
      Fr. Dan Andrews is listed as Director/Pastor of the JPII Newman Center.
    2. Mass Times and Ministry - JPII Newman Center Omahajpiiomaha.org/mass · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Every Monday night at 7:30pm in the Newman Leadership Center, Dcn. Omar Guterriez lectures on the Catholic faith in his Catholic 101 seminar series.”
      A weekly Catholic 101 lecture series is held Monday evenings at the center.
    3. OCIA - JPII Newman Center Omahajpiiomaha.org/ocia · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) is the fancy name for the process of inquiry and learning that takes place on the road to joining the Church.”
      The center runs OCIA, the process for adults joining the Catholic Church.
    4. Events - JPII Newman Center Omahajpiiomaha.org/events · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Every Thursday night is Community Night at JPII Newman!”
      A weekly Community Night is held on Thursdays at 9:00 PM.

Concerns

  • Only one Catholic student group, FOCUS, is confirmed on official pages.
    Sources (2)
    1. Mass Times and Ministry - JPII Newman Center Omahajpiiomaha.org/mass · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “At JPII Newman, our FOCUS missionaries lead small groups while at the same time building up student leaders to begin their own small groups.”
      FOCUS missionaries lead small groups at the center.
    2. Campuses - FOCUSfocus.org/about/campuses · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “University of Nebraska OmahaWayne State College”
      FOCUS lists the University of Nebraska Omaha among the campuses it serves.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

The Catholic center

St. John Paul II Newman Center (JPII Newman Center)

  • Address: 1221 S. 71st St., Omaha, NE 68106
  • Location: Next to campus
  • Distance from campus: 1.0 mi (straight line from the campus point in federal IPEDS data)
  • Facilities: St. John Paul II Oratory, common spaces for study, community and reflection, dedicated study and prayer spaces, apartment-style student housing

View on map ↗

Source: archomaha.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026, archomaha.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026, archomaha.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026, jpiiomaha.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026, jpiiomaha.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

8 groups and regular activities · 0 on campus, 5 off campus, 3 location not published

Faith formation 2

  • Catholic 101 lecture seriesOff campus
    Mondays, 7:30 PM
    Weekly lectures on the Catholic faith in the Newman Leadership Center at the JPII Newman Center.
    jpiiomaha.org
  • OCIAOff campus
    Inquiry and instruction process for adults who want to join the Catholic Church, with fall kickoff events in September and October 2026.
    jpiiomaha.org

Liturgy and prayer 1

  • Daily MassOff campus
    Monday to Friday, and Sundays
    Masses at the JPII Newman Center, which the center describes as a parish for college students.
    jpiiomaha.org, jpiiomaha.org

Social life 2

  • Sunday student dinnerOff campus
    Sundays, 6:00 PM
    Free dinner for college students at the JPII Newman Center after the Sunday 5:30 PM Mass.
    jpiiomaha.org, jpiiomaha.org
  • Community NightOff campus
    Thursdays, 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM
    Weekly social evening at the JPII Newman Center for students, who are invited to bring a friend.
    jpiiomaha.org

Clubs and groups 1

  • FOCUS small groups and Bible studies
    FOCUS missionaries lead small groups and weekly Bible studies for college students.
    jpiiomaha.org, jpiiomaha.org

Retreats 1

  • Retreats
    The center lists retreats among its offerings.
    jpiiomaha.org

Service 1

  • Service trips
    The center lists service trips among its student activities.
    archomaha.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 (4)
  1. St. John Paul II Newman Center - Archdiocese of Omahaarchomaha.org/st-john-paul-ii-newman-center · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “A unique community for college students, right next to the University of Nebraska Omaha campus”
    The archdiocese describes the St. John Paul II Newman Center as a Catholic campus ministry and student housing community right next to the UNO campus.
    “A unique community for college students, right next to the University of Nebraska Omaha campus”
    The archdiocese describes the St. John Paul II Newman Center as a Catholic campus ministry and student housing community right next to the UNO campus.
    “Serene space in the beautiful St. John Paul II Oratory”
    The center has a St. John Paul II Oratory for prayer.
    “We offer dedicated study and prayer spaces, and a host of activities such as Bible studies, guest speakers, daily Mass, service trips and more.”
    The center offers study and prayer spaces, Bible studies, daily Mass, and service trips.
  2. About - JPII Newman Center Omahajpiiomaha.org/about · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Our community began as a movement on UNO’s campus known as MavCatholic. In 2016, the JPII Newman Center was built as the new home for MavCatholic”
    The center grew out of a Catholic student movement on the UNO campus called MavCatholic.
  3. Mass Times and Ministry - JPII Newman Center Omahajpiiomaha.org/mass · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “402.557.5575 • 1221 S. 71st St. Omaha, NE 68106”
    The center's address is 1221 S. 71st St., Omaha, NE 68106, and its phone number is 402-557-5575.
  4. Contact Us - JPII Newman Center Omahajpiiomaha.org/contact · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “JPII Newman is off-campus housing and home to over 150 residents from different Omaha-area colleges.”
    The center's housing is off campus and houses over 150 residents from Omaha-area colleges.

Reach out

Contact details for Fr. Dan Andrews (Director/Pastor) and 5 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.
59 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.47%
  • First-year retention 20% of scoreThis measure counts for 20% of the Academic Excellence score.78%
  • Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.SAT 1,120 · ACT 22.5
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.15 to 1
  • Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$10,723

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)
11,859
Total students15,015
Average net price (per year)
After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid
$13,441
Cost of attendance (per year)$21,120
Median federal debt at graduation$19,000
Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
47%
First-year retention78%
Median earnings 10 years after entry$53,909
Admission rate87%
Students receiving Pell grants35%
Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT1120
SAT reading & writing—
SAT math—
ACT composite19–26
Test policyRequired

Value index: 59 / 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 Omaha

The Most Reverend Michael G. McGovern, Archbishop of Omaha

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Cathedral: Cathedral of St. Cecilia

Source: archomaha.org, archomaha.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 Nebraska at Omaha a Catholic college?
No. University of Nebraska at Omaha is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by St. John Paul II Newman Center (JPII Newman Center).
What is University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Catholic Life Score?
81 out of 100 (grade A). 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 Nebraska at Omaha?
Mass is listed at JPII Newman Center. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.
Is University of Nebraska at Omaha Compass Recommended?
Yes. University of Nebraska at Omaha meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic life on campus.

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