Is University of Rochester a Catholic college?

No. University of Rochester is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by Catholic Newman Community at the University of Rochester.

Where is Mass celebrated at University of Rochester?

Mass is listed at Mack Catholic Center. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.

College · Catholic life on campus

University of Rochester

LocationRochester, NY
Type and sizePrivate nonprofit · 4-year · 12,160 students

Official website

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

The Catholic Newman Community at the University of Rochester is based at the Mack Catholic Center on Faculty Road. Its published schedule lists Sunday Mass at 10:30 AM all year and at 7 PM during the academic year, plus midweek Masses and Sunday adoration.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 4

Sunday10:30 AMMack Catholic Center · All year.
Sunday7:00 PMMack Catholic Center · During the academic year, when the University is in session.
Wednesday9:00 PMMack Catholic Center · InstaMass, academic year only.
Thursday5:30 PMMack Catholic Center · Daily Mass, academic year only.

Adoration 2

Sunday11:30 AMConference Room, Middle Level, Interfaith Chapel · Runs until noon.
Friday12:30 PMInterfaith Chapel (River Level) · First Fridays of the month, academic year only; open 12:30 to 1:30 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 (3)

Mass Schedule | Catholic Newman Community at the University of Rochesterurnewman.org/mass-sacraments-prayer/mass-schedule · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Join the entire Newman Community as we gather each Sunday at the Mack Catholic Center at 10:30a all year, with an additional 7pm Mass when the University is in session.”
Sunday Mass is offered at the Mack Catholic Center at 10:30 AM all year, with a 7 PM Mass when the University is in session.
“Join the entire Newman Community as we gather each Sunday at the Mack Catholic Center at 10:30a all year, with an additional 7pm Mass when the University is in session.”
Sunday Mass is offered at the Mack Catholic Center at 10:30 AM all year, with a 7 PM Mass when the University is in session.
“InstaMass is on Wednesdays at 9pm every week at the Mack Catholic Center, followed by pizza in the Multipurpose Room.”
A Mass (InstaMass) is offered on Wednesdays at 9 PM at the Mack Catholic Center during the academic year.
“Daily Mass is Thursdays at 5:30p, with Newman Night dinner at 6pm.”
Mass is offered on Thursdays at 5:30 PM during the academic year.
Adoration | Catholic Newman Community at the University of Rochesterurnewman.org/get-involved/spiritual-life/adoration · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Sunday Adoration 11:30 -noon in the Conference Room, Middle Level, Interfaith Chapel”
Eucharistic adoration is offered on Sundays from 11:30 AM to noon.
Spiritual Life | Catholic Newman Community at the University of Rochesterurnewman.org/get-involved/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Students are always welcome to drop by the Interfaith Chapel (River Level) any time from 12:30-1:30pm on first Fridays.”
Students may visit for adoration on first Fridays from 12:30 to 1:30 PM during the academic year.

Catholic churches nearby

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

Joseph P. Mack Catholic Center — 0.3 mi · 610 Faculty Road, Rochester
Saint Anne Church — 0.8 mi · 1600 Mount Hope Avenue, Rochester
Immaculate Conception/St. Bridget’s Church — 1.6 mi · 445 Frederick Douglass Street, Rochester
Saint Boniface Church — 1.8 mi · 300 Gregory Street, Rochester
Saint Mary's Catholic Church — 2.2 mi · 15 Saint Mary's Place, Rochester

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

79 of 100 points on what we could document.

Yes:
Catholic campus ministry serving this campus (Catholic center, campus ministry, or chaplaincy)Yes
Sources (2)
1. Campus Ministry | Pastoral Services, Diocese of Rochesterps.dor.org/pastoral-services-offices-and-ministries/campuses · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Newman Catholic Community University of Rochester 585-275-8515 catholicnewmancommunity@rochester.edu www.urnewman.org”
  The Diocese of Rochester lists the Newman Catholic Community as the campus ministry at the University of Rochester.
2. Contact | Catholic Newman Community at the University of Rochesterurnewman.org/contact · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Mack Catholic Center 610 Faculty Rd Rochester, NY 14627 (585) 275-8515”
  The Mack Catholic Center is at 610 Faculty Rd, Rochester, NY 14627, and the ministry's phone number is 275-8515.
Yes:
Dedicated Catholic center or chapel on or next to campusYes (The Mack Catholic Center is the ministry's own center at 610 Faculty Rd. Building pages describe an ongoing construction project for the center and the Carpenter Catholic Chapel.)
Sources (2)
1. Contact | Catholic Newman Community at the University of Rochesterurnewman.org/contact · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Mack Catholic Center 610 Faculty Rd Rochester, NY 14627 (585) 275-8515”
  The Mack Catholic Center is at 610 Faculty Rd, Rochester, NY 14627, and the ministry's phone number is 275-8515.
2. Building Project | Catholic Newman Community at the University of Rochesterurnewman.org/about/building-project · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “the unexpected opportunity to secure an even greater location, larger building and more visible presence on campus”
  The Catholic center's building project aims at a more visible location on campus.
  “the groundbreaking of the $7.3 million Joseph P. Mack ’55 Catholic Center and the William and Mary Christine Carpenter Catholic Chapel!”
  A Catholic center and a Catholic chapel were in a building project that broke ground in February 2025.
Partly:
Priest chaplain assigned to campus ministryPart-time or shared priest (Masses are published. The homepage reports that Fr. Brian Cool was reassigned.)
Sources (2)
1. Mass Schedule | Catholic Newman Community at the University of Rochesterurnewman.org/mass-sacraments-prayer/mass-schedule · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Join the entire Newman Community as we gather each Sunday at the Mack Catholic Center at 10:30a all year, with an additional 7pm Mass when the University is in session.”
  Sunday Mass is offered at the Mack Catholic Center at 10:30 AM all year, with a 7 PM Mass when the University is in session.
2. Catholic Newman Community at the University of Rochesterurnewman.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Rev. Brian C. Cool, Director of the Catholic Newman Community for more than 26 years, has accepted a new assignment from the Most Reverend John S. Bonnici, Bishop of Rochester.”
  Fr. Brian Cool has been reassigned from the director role.
Partly:
Weekday Mass at the campus ministry1–4 weekdays (Two weekdays listed at the Mack Catholic Center during the academic year: Wednesday InstaMass and Thursday Mass. The page calls this daily Mass but lists only these two days.)
Sources (1)
1. Mass Schedule | Catholic Newman Community at the University of Rochesterurnewman.org/mass-sacraments-prayer/mass-schedule · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “InstaMass is on Wednesdays at 9pm every week at the Mack Catholic Center, followed by pizza in the Multipurpose Room.”
  A Mass (InstaMass) is offered on Wednesdays at 9 PM at the Mack Catholic Center during the academic year.
  “Daily Mass is Thursdays at 5:30p, with Newman Night dinner at 6pm.”
  Mass is offered on Thursdays at 5:30 PM during the academic year.
Yes:
Sunday Mass at the campus ministry or a campus chapelTwo or more weekend Masses (Sunday Mass at 10:30 AM all year and at 7 PM during the academic year, at the Mack Catholic Center.)
Sources (2)
1. Mass Schedule | Catholic Newman Community at the University of Rochesterurnewman.org/mass-sacraments-prayer/mass-schedule · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Join the entire Newman Community as we gather each Sunday at the Mack Catholic Center at 10:30a all year, with an additional 7pm Mass when the University is in session.”
  Sunday Mass is offered at the Mack Catholic Center at 10:30 AM all year, with a 7 PM Mass when the University is in session.
2. Catholic Newman Community at the University of Rochesterurnewman.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Sundays, 10:30am (and 7pm during academic year)”
  The homepage repeats the Sunday Mass schedule.
Not enough information:
Scheduled confession at the campus ministryNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Yes:
Catholic student groups and missionary outreach (e.g., FOCUS, Saint Paul's Outreach, Knights of Columbus, Bible studies)Two or more (St. Sebastian Society (a student-athlete service group) and the student-organized E-Board.)
Sources (2)
1. St. Sebastian Society | Catholic Newman Community at the University of Rochesterurnewman.org/get-involved/service/st-sebastian-society · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “The St. Sebastian Society is a group of varsity and club student-athletes dedicated to serving the greater Rochester community.”
  The St. Sebastian Society is a student service group within the Catholic Newman Community.
2. Student Leadership | Catholic Newman Community at the University of Rochesterurnewman.org/about/student-leadership · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “E-Board, short for executive board, is the student-organized leadership team for the Catholic Newman Community.”
  A student-organized executive board leads Newman events.
Yes:
Formation programs (retreats, OCIA/RCIA, service, small groups)Two or more kinds (Kinds listed: a retreat (Kairos), RCIA, service and tutoring, and Stephen Ministry.)
Sources (4)
1. Retreats | Catholic Newman Community at the University of Rochesterurnewman.org/get-involved/spiritual-life/retreats · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Every year Kairos will be held each fall and each spring early in the semester.”
  The Kairos student retreat is held each fall and spring.
2. Becoming Catholic / Confirmation | Catholic Newman Community at the University of Rochesterurnewman.org/mass-sacraments-prayer/becoming-catholic-confirmation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Join us for the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)!”
  The ministry runs an RCIA program for students and community members.
3. St. Sebastian Society | Catholic Newman Community at the University of Rochesterurnewman.org/get-involved/service/st-sebastian-society · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “One of our main outreach opportunities is the Yes Pa Program, which gives students the opportunity to teach a course to inmates at the Monroe Correctional Facility”
  The St. Sebastian Society runs a tutoring and mentoring outreach through the Yes Pa Program.
4. Students Offering Support (Stephen Ministry) | Catholic Newman Community at the University of Rochesterurnewman.org/get-involved/service/students-offering-support-stephen-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Newman Stephen Ministers are students-Christian men and women-trained to provide one-to-one care to fellow students experiencing a difficult time in life”
  Students trained as Stephen Ministers provide one-to-one care to fellow students.
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 (6 weekly times documented: 4 Mass, 0 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

Sunday Mass is published at 10:30 AM all year and at 7 PM during the academic year at the Mack Catholic Center.
Sources (1)
1. Mass Schedule | Catholic Newman Community at the University of Rochesterurnewman.org/mass-sacraments-prayer/mass-schedule · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Join the entire Newman Community as we gather each Sunday at the Mack Catholic Center at 10:30a all year, with an additional 7pm Mass when the University is in session.”
  Sunday Mass is offered at the Mack Catholic Center at 10:30 AM all year, with a 7 PM Mass when the University is in session.
Student groups and service programs are listed, including the St. Sebastian Society and Stephen Ministry.
Sources (2)
1. St. Sebastian Society | Catholic Newman Community at the University of Rochesterurnewman.org/get-involved/service/st-sebastian-society · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “The St. Sebastian Society is a group of varsity and club student-athletes dedicated to serving the greater Rochester community.”
  The St. Sebastian Society is a student service group within the Catholic Newman Community.
2. Students Offering Support (Stephen Ministry) | Catholic Newman Community at the University of Rochesterurnewman.org/get-involved/service/students-offering-support-stephen-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Newman Stephen Ministers are students-Christian men and women-trained to provide one-to-one care to fellow students experiencing a difficult time in life”
  Students trained as Stephen Ministers provide one-to-one care to fellow students.
A Kairos retreat held each fall and spring, and an RCIA program, are listed for students.
Sources (2)
1. Retreats | Catholic Newman Community at the University of Rochesterurnewman.org/get-involved/spiritual-life/retreats · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Every year Kairos will be held each fall and each spring early in the semester.”
  The Kairos student retreat is held each fall and spring.
2. Becoming Catholic / Confirmation | Catholic Newman Community at the University of Rochesterurnewman.org/mass-sacraments-prayer/becoming-catholic-confirmation · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Join us for the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)!”
  The ministry runs an RCIA program for students and community members.

Concerns

The Catholic center and chapel are described as a building project that was under construction.
Sources (1)
1. Building Project | Catholic Newman Community at the University of Rochesterurnewman.org/about/building-project · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “the groundbreaking of the $7.3 million Joseph P. Mack ’55 Catholic Center and the William and Mary Christine Carpenter Catholic Chapel!”
  A Catholic center and a Catholic chapel were in a building project that broke ground in February 2025.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

The Catholic center

Mack Catholic Center

Address: 610 Faculty Rd, Rochester, NY 14627
Location: On campus
Facilities: Multipurpose Room

View on map ↗

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

Catholic clubs and student life

11 groups and regular activities · 0 on campus, 0 off campus, 11 location not published

Faith formation 2

RCIA (Becoming Catholic / Confirmation)
Preparation generally starts in the fall semester
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults program for students and community members.
urnewman.org
Building the Faith lecture series
Lecture series on faith and reason, including the John Henry Cardinal Newman Lecture.
urnewman.org

Clubs and groups 1

Student E-Board
Student-organized executive board that organizes Newman events, budgeting and student engagement.
urnewman.org

Liturgy and prayer 3

Rosary group
Tuesdays, 6 to 6:30 PM
Student prayer group that prays the Rosary together.
urnewman.org
Eucharistic adoration
Sundays, 11:30 AM to noon; first Fridays
Adoration in the Interfaith Chapel and its conference room.
urnewman.org, urnewman.org
Liturgical ministries (acolytes, communion ministers, lectors, sacristans)
Student ministries that serve at Mass and other liturgies, with preparation sessions.
urnewman.org

Retreats 1

Kairos retreat
Each fall and spring, early in the semester
Student retreat run by the Catholic Newman Community; the weekend covers food, transportation and lodging.
urnewman.org

Service 2

St. Sebastian Society
Student-athlete service group that runs the Yes Pa tutoring and mentoring program, Agape Latte and the Newman Cup.
urnewman.org, urnewman.org
Students Offering Support (Stephen Ministry)
Trained student ministers who provide one-to-one care to fellow students.
urnewman.org

Social life 2

Newman Nite
Thursdays at 6 PM, academic year only
Free, open shared meal and conversation for students.
urnewman.org
Third Sunday Supper
Monthly, after the 7 PM Sunday Mass, academic year only
Monthly dinner held after the Sunday evening Mass.
urnewman.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

Catholic Newman Community at the University of Rochester

Sources (3)

Contact | Catholic Newman Community at the University of Rochesterurnewman.org/contact · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Mack Catholic Center 610 Faculty Rd Rochester, NY 14627 (585) 275-8515”
The Mack Catholic Center is at 610 Faculty Rd, Rochester, NY 14627, and the ministry's phone number is 275-8515.
“Mack Catholic Center 610 Faculty Rd Rochester, NY 14627 (585) 275-8515”
The Mack Catholic Center is at 610 Faculty Rd, Rochester, NY 14627, and the ministry's phone number is 275-8515.
Campus Ministry | Pastoral Services, Diocese of Rochesterps.dor.org/pastoral-services-offices-and-ministries/campuses · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Newman Catholic Community University of Rochester 585-275-8515 catholicnewmancommunity@rochester.edu www.urnewman.org”
The Diocese of Rochester lists the Newman Catholic Community as the campus ministry at the University of Rochester.
Building Project | Catholic Newman Community at the University of Rochesterurnewman.org/about/building-project · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“the unexpected opportunity to secure an even greater location, larger building and more visible presence on campus”
The Catholic center's building project aims at a more visible location on campus.

Reach out

Contact details for Jennifer Hughes (Interim Director of Campus Ministry) and 6 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

98 of 100

From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

Graduation rate 35% of score85%
First-year retention 20% of score91%
Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreSAT 1,488 · ACT 32.5
Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of score9 to 1
Instructional spending per student 15% of score$40,019

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.

Value and outcomes
Undergraduate students Fall enrollment (IPEDS)	6,764
Total students	12,160
Average net price (per year) After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid	$29,278
Cost of attendance (per year)	$85,962
Median federal debt at graduation	$21,000
Graduation rate First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time	85%
First-year retention	91%
Median earnings 10 years after entry	$79,042
Admission rate	40%
Students receiving Pell grants	17%

Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT	1488
SAT reading & writing	680–750
SAT math	730–790
ACT composite	31–34
Test policy	Considered but not required

Value index: 66 / 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 Rochester

The Most Reverend John S. Bonnici, Bishop of Rochester

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Source: dor.org, dor.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 195030
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 Rochester a Catholic college?: No. University of Rochester is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by Catholic Newman Community at the University of Rochester.
What is University of Rochester’s Catholic Life Score?: 84 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 Rochester?: Mass is listed at Mack Catholic Center. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.

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