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University of Wisconsin-La Crosse: Hoeshler Tower
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College · Catholic life on campus

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

  • LocationLa Crosse, WI
  • Type and sizePublic · 4-year · 10,299 students
Official website
Campus Ministry Honor Roll badge

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

The Roncalli Newman Center, at 1732 State Street in La Crosse, is the Catholic campus ministry for University of Wisconsin-La Crosse students. It is run by Roncalli Newman Parish, whose pastor is listed as Father Billy Dodge. Published Mass times include weekday Masses on Tuesday through Friday and Sunday Masses, with confession offered before weekday Masses while UW-La Crosse is in session. Listed student groups include eagleCatholic and Students for Life, and FOCUS is listed as serving the campus.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 8

  • Tuesday5:15 PMRoncalli Newman Center · Listed on the Mass times page.
  • Wednesday, Friday12:00 PMRoncalli Newman Center · Listed on the Mass times page.
  • Thursday7:00 PMRoncalli Newman Center · When UW-La Crosse is in session.
  • Sunday11:00 AMRoncalli Newman Center
  • Sunday8:30 PMRoncalli Newman Center · When UW-La Crosse is in session.
  • Monday–Friday8:00 AMBlessed Sacrament Parish · Nearby parish linked from the Roncalli Newman Center Mass times page.
Show 2 more mass times
  • Saturday4:30 PMBlessed Sacrament Parish · Nearby parish linked from the Roncalli Newman Center Mass times page.
  • Sunday9:00 AMBlessed Sacrament Parish · Nearby parish linked from the Roncalli Newman Center Mass times page.

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 | Roncalli Newman Centerroncallinewmancenter.com/mass-times · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Tues: 5:15 PM”
    Weekday Mass at the Roncalli Newman Center is listed on Tuesday at 5:15 PM.
    “Wed: Noon Thurs: 7:00 PM* Friday: Noon”
    Weekday Mass at the Roncalli Newman Center is listed on Wednesday and Friday at noon and on Thursday at 7:00 PM.
    “Wed: Noon Thurs: 7:00 PM* Friday: Noon”
    Weekday Mass at the Roncalli Newman Center is listed on Wednesday and Friday at noon and on Thursday at 7:00 PM.
    “Sun: 11:00 AM & 8:30 PM*”
    Sunday Masses at the Roncalli Newman Center are listed at 11:00 AM and 8:30 PM.
    “Sun: 11:00 AM & 8:30 PM*”
    Sunday Masses at the Roncalli Newman Center are listed at 11:00 AM and 8:30 PM.
    “Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM”
    Blessed Sacrament Parish, which the ministry links to, lists weekday Mass at 8:00 AM.
    “Sat: 4:30 PM Sun: 9:00 AM”
    Blessed Sacrament Parish, which the ministry links to, lists Saturday Mass at 4:30 PM and Sunday Mass at 9:00 AM.
    “Sat: 4:30 PM Sun: 9:00 AM”
    Blessed Sacrament Parish, which the ministry links to, lists Saturday Mass at 4:30 PM and Sunday Mass at 9:00 AM.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches0.5 mi1 mi2 miRoncalli Catholic Newman Center: 0.2 mi1Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church: 0.7 mi2Cathedral of Saint Joseph the Workman Catholic Church: 0.9 mi3Mary of the Angels Chapel: 1.0 mi4San Damiano Chapel: 1.0 mi5Holy Trinity Catholic Church: 1.3 mi6Roncalli Newman Center (Roncalli Newman Parish): 0.2 miUniversity of Wisconsin-La Crosse (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Roncalli Catholic Newman Center — 0.2 mi
  2. Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church — 0.7 mi
  3. Cathedral of Saint Joseph the Workman Catholic Church — 0.9 mi · 530 Main Street, La Crosse
  4. Mary of the Angels Chapel — 1.0 mi
  5. San Damiano Chapel — 1.0 mi
  6. Holy Trinity Catholic Church — 1.3 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.

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

90 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 center's campus ministry page describes its mission for students and lists eagleCatholic at UW-La Crosse.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Roncalli Newman Centerroncallinewmancenter.com/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Our primary mission at Roncalli Newman is to invite you, the student, to know God in Christ”
      The Roncalli Newman Center's campus ministry states its mission is to serve students.
      “eagleCatholic at UW-La Crosse is a vibrant community of students seeking to grow in their Catholic faith while building authentic and lasting friendships.”
      EagleCatholic is a Catholic student organization at UW-La Crosse listed on the campus ministry page.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Dedicated Catholic center or chapel on or next to campusYes (Roncalli Newman Center at 1732 State St. is about a quarter mile from the university's address.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Roncalli Newman Catholic Church | Diocese of La Crossediolc.org/parish/roncalli-newman-parish · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Physical Address: 1732 State St La Crosse, WI 54601”
      Roncalli Newman Catholic Church is at 1732 State St, La Crosse, WI 54601.
    2. Campus Ministry | Roncalli Newman Centerroncallinewmancenter.com/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Our primary mission at Roncalli Newman is to invite you, the student, to know God in Christ”
      The Roncalli Newman Center's campus ministry states its mission is to serve students.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priest chaplain assigned to campus ministryFull-time priest chaplain (Father Billy Dodge is listed as Pastor of Roncalli Newman Parish, which runs the campus ministry.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Contact Us | Roncalli Newman Centerroncallinewmancenter.com/contact-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Father Billy Dodge Pastor”
      Father Billy Dodge is listed as Pastor on the Roncalli Newman Center staff list.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Weekday Mass at the campus ministry1–4 weekdays (Weekday Mass at the Roncalli Newman Center is listed for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (four weekdays).)
    Sources (1)
    1. Mass Times | Roncalli Newman Centerroncallinewmancenter.com/mass-times · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Tues: 5:15 PM”
      Weekday Mass at the Roncalli Newman Center is listed on Tuesday at 5:15 PM.
      “Wed: Noon Thurs: 7:00 PM* Friday: Noon”
      Weekday Mass at the Roncalli Newman Center is listed on Wednesday and Friday at noon and on Thursday at 7:00 PM.
  • 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 11:00 AM and 8:30 PM; the 8:30 PM Mass is listed for when UW-La Crosse is in session.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Mass Times | Roncalli Newman Centerroncallinewmancenter.com/mass-times · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Sun: 11:00 AM & 8:30 PM*”
      Sunday Masses at the Roncalli Newman Center are listed at 11:00 AM and 8:30 PM.
      “* when UW-La Crosse is in session”
      The Thursday 7:00 PM Mass and the Sunday 8:30 PM Mass are listed for when UW-La Crosse is in session.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Scheduled confession at the campus ministryWeekly or more often (Confession is listed as 30 minutes before weekday Masses when UW-L is in session (one hour before on Thursdays), or by appointment.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Mass Times | Roncalli Newman Centerroncallinewmancenter.com/mass-times · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “30 minutes before weekday Masses when UW-L is in session (one hour prior on Thursdays), or by appointment.”
      Confession is listed 30 minutes before weekday Masses during the academic session, or by appointment.
  • 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 (Two Catholic groups are listed: eagleCatholic (a student organization on the ministry's page) and FOCUS (listed on focus.org as serving UW-La Crosse).)
    Sources (3)
    1. Campus Ministry | Roncalli Newman Centerroncallinewmancenter.com/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “eagleCatholic at UW-La Crosse is a vibrant community of students seeking to grow in their Catholic faith while building authentic and lasting friendships.”
      EagleCatholic is a Catholic student organization at UW-La Crosse listed on the campus ministry page.
    2. Campuses | FOCUSfocus.org/about/campuses · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “University of Wisconsin-La CrosseUniversity of Wisconsin-Platteville”
      FOCUS lists University of Wisconsin-La Crosse among the campuses it serves.
    3. Students | Roncalli Newman Centerroncallinewmancenter.com/students · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Campus Ministry FOCUS”
      The ministry's students page lists FOCUS as a ministry.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Formation programs (retreats, OCIA/RCIA, service, small groups)Two or more kinds (Two formation programs are listed: OCIA for adults and the Healing the Whole Person series.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Becoming Catholic | Roncalli Newman Centerroncallinewmancenter.com/becoming-catholic · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “OCIA takes place on Wednesday nights at the Roncalli Newman Center on the lower level.”
      The Roncalli Newman Center offers an OCIA program for adults.
    2. Events | Roncalli Newman Centerroncallinewmancenter.com/events · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “When: Wednesday Evenings at 6:30PM Dates: September 30th - November 18th Where: Blessed Sacrament Parish.”
      The Healing the Whole Person series is listed for Wednesday evenings at 6:30 PM at Blessed Sacrament Parish.
  • 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 (13 weekly times documented: 13 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

  • Sunday Masses and weekday Masses are published on the center's own Mass times page, with a named pastor listed on the staff page.
    Sources (2)
    1. Mass Times | Roncalli Newman Centerroncallinewmancenter.com/mass-times · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Sun: 11:00 AM & 8:30 PM*”
      Sunday Masses at the Roncalli Newman Center are listed at 11:00 AM and 8:30 PM.
    2. Contact Us | Roncalli Newman Centerroncallinewmancenter.com/contact-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Father Billy Dodge Pastor”
      Father Billy Dodge is listed as Pastor on the Roncalli Newman Center staff list.
  • Two Catholic student groups, eagleCatholic and FOCUS, are listed.
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus Ministry | Roncalli Newman Centerroncallinewmancenter.com/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “eagleCatholic at UW-La Crosse is a vibrant community of students seeking to grow in their Catholic faith while building authentic and lasting friendships.”
      EagleCatholic is a Catholic student organization at UW-La Crosse listed on the campus ministry page.
    2. Campuses | FOCUSfocus.org/about/campuses · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “University of Wisconsin-La CrosseUniversity of Wisconsin-Platteville”
      FOCUS lists University of Wisconsin-La Crosse among the campuses it serves.

Concerns

  • Weekday Mass is listed Tuesday through Friday.
    Sources (1)
    1. Mass Times | Roncalli Newman Centerroncallinewmancenter.com/mass-times · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Wed: Noon Thurs: 7:00 PM* Friday: Noon”
      Weekday Mass at the Roncalli Newman Center is listed on Wednesday and Friday at noon and on Thursday at 7:00 PM.
      “Tues: 5:15 PM”
      Weekday Mass at the Roncalli Newman Center is listed on Tuesday at 5:15 PM.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

The Catholic center

Roncalli Newman Center (Roncalli Newman Parish)

  • Address: 1732 State St, La Crosse, WI 54601
  • Distance from campus: 0.2 mi (straight line from the campus point in federal IPEDS data)
  • Facilities: lower-level meeting space

View on map ↗

Source: diolc.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026, roncallinewmancenter.com, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

7 groups and regular activities · 2 on campus, 0 off campus, 5 location not published

Clubs and groups 3

  • eagleCatholicOn campus
    Catholic student community at UW-La Crosse offering service opportunities, social events, and spiritual formation; listed on UW-L's MyOrgs.
    roncallinewmancenter.com
  • Students for LifeOn campus
    Student-led organization at UW-La Crosse promoting a culture of life, with support for pregnant and parenting students.
    roncallinewmancenter.com
  • FOCUS
    FOCUS is listed as serving UW-La Crosse; the ministry's students page lists FOCUS.
    focus.org, roncallinewmancenter.com

Faith formation 2

  • Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA)
    Wednesday nights
    Program for adults who want to learn about the Catholic Church or become Catholic; held at the Roncalli Newman Center on the lower level.
    roncallinewmancenter.com
  • Healing the Whole Person
    Wednesday evenings at 6:30 PM, September 30 to November 18
    Eight-week video series with prayer, presentations, and reconciliation, offered jointly by Roncalli Newman and Blessed Sacrament Parishes at Blessed Sacrament Parish.
    roncallinewmancenter.com, roncallinewmancenter.com

Retreats 1

Social life 1

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 Ministry | Roncalli Newman Centerroncallinewmancenter.com/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Our primary mission at Roncalli Newman is to invite you, the student, to know God in Christ”
    The Roncalli Newman Center's campus ministry states its mission is to serve students.
    “Our primary mission at Roncalli Newman is to invite you, the student, to know God in Christ”
    The Roncalli Newman Center's campus ministry states its mission is to serve students.
  2. Contact Us | Roncalli Newman Centerroncallinewmancenter.com/contact-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Laura Kallas Director of Campus Ministry”
    Laura Kallas is listed as Director of Campus Ministry.
  3. Roncalli Newman Catholic Church | Diocese of La Crossediolc.org/parish/roncalli-newman-parish · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Physical Address: 1732 State St La Crosse, WI 54601”
    Roncalli Newman Catholic Church is at 1732 State St, La Crosse, WI 54601.

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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.71%
  • 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 1,220 · ACT 24.5
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.20 to 1
  • Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$8,467

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)
9,378
Total students10,299
Average net price (per year)
After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid
$16,210
Cost of attendance (per year)$19,593
Median federal debt at graduation$22,500
Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
71%
First-year retention87%
Median earnings 10 years after entry$60,378
Admission rate76%
Students receiving Pell grants14%
Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT1220
SAT reading & writing—
SAT math—
ACT composite22–27
Test policyConsidered but not required

Value index: 69 / 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 La Crosse

The Most Reverend Gerard W. Battersby, Bishop of La Crosse

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Source: diolc.org, diolc.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 Wisconsin-La Crosse a Catholic college?
No. University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by Roncalli Newman Center Campus Ministry.
What is University of Wisconsin-La Crosse’s Catholic Life Score?
85 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 Wisconsin-La Crosse?
Mass is listed at Roncalli Newman Center and Blessed Sacrament Parish. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.
Is University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Compass Recommended?
Yes. University of Wisconsin-La Crosse meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic life on campus.

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