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Vanderbilt University: Vanderbilt university campus 2017
Photo: Stablenode, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

College · Catholic life on campus

Vanderbilt University

  • LocationNashville, TN
  • Type and sizePrivate nonprofit · 4-year · 13,456 students
Official website

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

University Catholic (UCat Nashville), a ministry of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nashville, is officially represented at Vanderbilt and is based at Frassati House on Terrace Place. Published Mass, confession, and adoration times are listed Monday through Thursday and on Sunday at the Cathedral of the Incarnation, with Tuesday adoration in Frassati's Chapel. Fr. Rhodes Bolster serves as the ministry's chaplain, and the ministry lists FOCUS, Bible studies, retreats, OCIA, and service programs.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 2

  • Sunday8:00 PMCathedral of the Incarnation
  • Monday–Thursday5:30 PMCathedral of the Incarnation

Confession 2

  • Monday–Thursday4:30 PMCathedral of the Incarnation
  • Sunday7:00 PMCathedral of the Incarnation

Adoration 3

  • Monday–Thursday4:30 PM–5:20 PMCathedral of the Incarnation
  • Tuesday9:00 AM–4:20 PMFrassati's Chapel
  • Tuesday6:00 PM–9:00 PMFrassati's Chapel

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. Religious Services | Center for Spiritual and Religious Life, Vanderbilt Universityvanderbilt.edu/student-affairs/religious-life/religious-services · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Catholic Mass Sundays at 8 pm, Cathedral of the Incarnation”
    Vanderbilt's religious services page lists Sunday Mass at 8 PM and Sunday adoration and confession at 7 PM at the Cathedral of the Incarnation.
    “Mondays – ThursdaysConfession/Adoration at 4:30 pmCatholic Daily Mass at 5:30 pm”
    Vanderbilt's religious services page lists Monday through Thursday confession and daily Mass at 5:30 PM at the Cathedral of the Incarnation.
    “Mondays – ThursdaysConfession/Adoration at 4:30 pmCatholic Daily Mass at 5:30 pm”
    Vanderbilt's religious services page lists Monday through Thursday confession and daily Mass at 5:30 PM at the Cathedral of the Incarnation.
    “Catholic Mass Sundays at 8 pm, Cathedral of the Incarnation”
    Vanderbilt's religious services page lists Sunday Mass at 8 PM and Sunday adoration and confession at 7 PM at the Cathedral of the Incarnation.
  2. Adoration and Confession | University Catholicuniversitycatholic.org/pray/adoration · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Frassati’s Chapel 9 am – 4:20 pm”
    Tuesday adoration is held in Frassati's Chapel.
    “Frassati’s Chapel 9 am – 4:20 pm”
    Tuesday adoration is held in Frassati's Chapel.
    “Frassati’s Chapel 9 am – 4:20 pm”
    Tuesday adoration is held in Frassati's Chapel.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Vanderbilt University, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches0.25 mi0.5 miFrassati House (University Catholic): 0.4 miVanderbilt University (campus)N0.1 mi
CampusCatholic centerOpen a street map ›

No Catholic churches are mapped in OpenStreetMap within 3 miles. The map may be incomplete; check the local diocese’s parish directory.

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

75 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 states it is officially represented at Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt's own page names its affiliate Catholic chaplain.)
    Sources (2)
    1. About UCAT | University Catholicuniversitycatholic.org/about · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “We are officially represented at Vanderbilt and Belmont Universities, but all Nashville-area college students are welcome”
      University Catholic states that it is officially represented at Vanderbilt.
    2. Affiliate Chaplains | Center for Spiritual and Religious Life, Vanderbilt Universityvanderbilt.edu/student-affairs/religious-life/affiliate-chaplains · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. Rhodes Bolster became Chaplain of University Catholic in 2022”
      Vanderbilt's own page lists Fr. Rhodes Bolster as the Affiliate Catholic Chaplain and University Catholic chaplain.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Dedicated Catholic center or chapel on or next to campusYes (Frassati House, University Catholic's house at 2004 Terrace Place, is about 0.4 mile from the university's address.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Contact | University Catholicuniversitycatholic.org/contact · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Frassati House 2004 Terrace Place Nashville, TN 37203”
      Frassati House is at 2004 Terrace Place, Nashville, TN 37203.
    2. Our Houses | University Catholicuniversitycatholic.org/about/our-houses · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Frassati House | Belmont & Vanderbilt - Nashville”
      Frassati House is one of the ministry's houses serving Vanderbilt and Belmont students.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Priest chaplain assigned to campus ministryPart-time or shared priest (Fr. Rhodes Bolster is listed as the Affiliate Catholic Chaplain for the Nashville ministry, which serves Vanderbilt and Belmont.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Affiliate Chaplains | Center for Spiritual and Religious Life, Vanderbilt Universityvanderbilt.edu/student-affairs/religious-life/affiliate-chaplains · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. Rhodes Bolster became Chaplain of University Catholic in 2022”
      Vanderbilt's own page lists Fr. Rhodes Bolster as the Affiliate Catholic Chaplain and University Catholic chaplain.
    2. About UCAT | University Catholicuniversitycatholic.org/about · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “We are officially represented at Vanderbilt and Belmont Universities, but all Nashville-area college students are welcome”
      University Catholic states that it is officially represented at Vanderbilt.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Weekday Mass at the campus ministry1–4 weekdays (Daily Mass is listed Monday through Thursday at 5:30 PM at the Cathedral of the Incarnation, where the ministry holds its weekday programs.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Religious Services | Center for Spiritual and Religious Life, Vanderbilt Universityvanderbilt.edu/student-affairs/religious-life/religious-services · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mondays – ThursdaysConfession/Adoration at 4:30 pmCatholic Daily Mass at 5:30 pm”
      Vanderbilt's religious services page lists Monday through Thursday confession and daily Mass at 5:30 PM at the Cathedral of the Incarnation.
  • 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 (One Sunday Mass is listed at 8:00 PM at the Cathedral of the Incarnation.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Religious Services | Center for Spiritual and Religious Life, Vanderbilt Universityvanderbilt.edu/student-affairs/religious-life/religious-services · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mondays – ThursdaysConfession/Adoration at 4:30 pmCatholic Daily Mass at 5:30 pm”
      Vanderbilt's religious services page lists Monday through Thursday confession and daily Mass at 5:30 PM at the Cathedral of the Incarnation.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Scheduled confession at the campus ministryWeekly or more often (Scheduled confession Monday through Thursday at 4:30 PM and on Sunday at 7:00 PM.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Religious Services | Center for Spiritual and Religious Life, Vanderbilt Universityvanderbilt.edu/student-affairs/religious-life/religious-services · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mondays – ThursdaysConfession/Adoration at 4:30 pmCatholic Daily Mass at 5:30 pm”
      Vanderbilt's religious services page lists Monday through Thursday confession and daily Mass at 5:30 PM at the Cathedral of the Incarnation.
      “Catholic Mass Sundays at 8 pm, Cathedral of the Incarnation”
      Vanderbilt's religious services page lists Sunday Mass at 8 PM and Sunday adoration and confession at 7 PM at the Cathedral of the Incarnation.
  • 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 is listed as serving Vanderbilt, and University Catholic lists small-group Bible studies.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Campuses | FOCUSfocus.org/about/campuses · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “University of TennesseeVanderbilt UniversityBaylor University”
      FOCUS lists Vanderbilt University among the campuses it serves.
    2. Bible Studies | University Catholicuniversitycatholic.org/learn/bible-studies · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “University Catholic provides small-group bible study opportunities.”
      University Catholic offers small-group Bible studies for students, with a sign-up form that lists Vanderbilt.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Formation programs (retreats, OCIA/RCIA, service, small groups)Two or more kinds (Retreats (Awakening), OCIA, spiritual direction, and service programs are listed.)
    Sources (3)
    1. Awakening Retreat | University Catholicuniversitycatholic.org/pray/retreats/awakening · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Oct 30 – Nov 1, 2026”
      The Awakening retreat is scheduled for October 30 to November 1, 2026.
    2. RCIA | University Catholicuniversitycatholic.org/rcia · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “If you think OCIA sounds like a good fit for you, do join us!”
      University Catholic offers an OCIA program for adults.
    3. Spiritual Direction | University Catholicuniversitycatholic.org/pray/spiritual-direction · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “If you are interested in Spiritual Direction, contact Deacon Craig Thomas for UCat Nashville or”
      University Catholic offers spiritual direction for students.
  • No: the school does not offer this, so it earns no points.
    Catholic church within walking distance (computed from OpenStreetMap)None mapped within 3 milesComputed 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 (16 weekly times documented: 5 Mass, 5 confession, 6 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

  • Confession is scheduled on each weekday from Monday through Thursday and on Sunday.
    Sources (1)
    1. Religious Services | Center for Spiritual and Religious Life, Vanderbilt Universityvanderbilt.edu/student-affairs/religious-life/religious-services · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mondays – ThursdaysConfession/Adoration at 4:30 pmCatholic Daily Mass at 5:30 pm”
      Vanderbilt's religious services page lists Monday through Thursday confession and daily Mass at 5:30 PM at the Cathedral of the Incarnation.
      “Catholic Mass Sundays at 8 pm, Cathedral of the Incarnation”
      Vanderbilt's religious services page lists Sunday Mass at 8 PM and Sunday adoration and confession at 7 PM at the Cathedral of the Incarnation.
  • Retreats, OCIA, spiritual direction, and service programs are listed.
    Sources (3)
    1. Awakening Retreat | University Catholicuniversitycatholic.org/pray/retreats/awakening · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Oct 30 – Nov 1, 2026”
      The Awakening retreat is scheduled for October 30 to November 1, 2026.
    2. RCIA | University Catholicuniversitycatholic.org/rcia · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “If you think OCIA sounds like a good fit for you, do join us!”
      University Catholic offers an OCIA program for adults.
    3. Spiritual Direction | University Catholicuniversitycatholic.org/pray/spiritual-direction · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “If you are interested in Spiritual Direction, contact Deacon Craig Thomas for UCat Nashville or”
      University Catholic offers spiritual direction for students.

Concerns

  • Published Mass times are at the Cathedral of the Incarnation rather than at a campus chapel or the Frassati House.
    Sources (1)
    1. Religious Services | Center for Spiritual and Religious Life, Vanderbilt Universityvanderbilt.edu/student-affairs/religious-life/religious-services · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mondays – ThursdaysConfession/Adoration at 4:30 pmCatholic Daily Mass at 5:30 pm”
      Vanderbilt's religious services page lists Monday through Thursday confession and daily Mass at 5:30 PM at the Cathedral of the Incarnation.
      “Catholic Mass Sundays at 8 pm, Cathedral of the Incarnation”
      Vanderbilt's religious services page lists Sunday Mass at 8 PM and Sunday adoration and confession at 7 PM at the Cathedral of the Incarnation.
  • The chaplain is listed as an affiliate chaplain to Vanderbilt rather than as a campus chaplain employed by the university.
    Sources (1)
    1. Affiliate Chaplains | Center for Spiritual and Religious Life, Vanderbilt Universityvanderbilt.edu/student-affairs/religious-life/affiliate-chaplains · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. Rhodes Bolster became Chaplain of University Catholic in 2022”
      Vanderbilt's own page lists Fr. Rhodes Bolster as the Affiliate Catholic Chaplain and University Catholic chaplain.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

The Catholic center

Frassati House (University Catholic)

  • Address: 2004 Terrace Place, Nashville, TN 37203
  • Distance from campus: 0.4 mi (straight line from the campus point in federal IPEDS data)
  • Facilities: chapel (Frassati's Chapel), student gathering space

View on map ↗

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

Catholic clubs and student life

10 groups and regular activities · 0 on campus, 1 off campus, 9 location not published

Service 2

  • March for Life pilgrimageOff campus
    Jan 21-23, 2027
    Pilgrimage to Washington, D.C. for the March for Life.
    universitycatholic.org
  • Apostolic Dimension service opportunities
    Student leaders coordinate service opportunities inside and outside campus boundaries.
    universitycatholic.org

Faith formation 4

  • University Catholic small-group Bible studies
    Small-group Bible study opportunities, with a sign-up form that includes Vanderbilt students.
    universitycatholic.org
  • Wednesday Formation Night (CREDO and OCIA)
    Wednesdays, dinner at 6:15 PM and program at 6:45 PM
    Formation night at Frassati House with CREDO and OCIA.
    vanderbilt.edu
  • Spiritual direction
    Spiritual direction is available through the ministry's deacon or diocesan director.
    universitycatholic.org
  • OCIA
    Order of Christian Initiation of Adults program for people seeking baptism or full communion with the Catholic Church.
    universitycatholic.org

Clubs and groups 1

  • FOCUS small-group Bible studies
    FOCUS missionaries lead small-group Bible studies and group discipleship for students, and FOCUS lists Vanderbilt among its campuses.
    focus.org, universitycatholic.org

Retreats 1

  • Awakening Retreat
    Oct 30 – Nov 1, 2026
    Retreat for Nashville-area college students, with prayer, formation, and communion.
    universitycatholic.org

Social life 2

  • Sunday Supper
    Sundays at 6 pm
    Home-cooked supper for college students at the Cathedral's Fleming Center.
    universitycatholic.org
  • Men's and Women's days
    Hiking, alley parties, bonfires, and men's and women's days are listed among the ministry's activities.
    universitycatholic.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 (5)
  1. About UCAT | University Catholicuniversitycatholic.org/about · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “We are officially represented at Vanderbilt and Belmont Universities, but all Nashville-area college students are welcome”
    University Catholic states that it is officially represented at Vanderbilt.
  2. Affiliate Chaplains | Center for Spiritual and Religious Life, Vanderbilt Universityvanderbilt.edu/student-affairs/religious-life/affiliate-chaplains · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Fr. Rhodes Bolster became Chaplain of University Catholic in 2022”
    Vanderbilt's own page lists Fr. Rhodes Bolster as the Affiliate Catholic Chaplain and University Catholic chaplain.
  3. Contact | University Catholicuniversitycatholic.org/contact · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Frassati House 2004 Terrace Place Nashville, TN 37203”
    Frassati House is at 2004 Terrace Place, Nashville, TN 37203.
  4. Our Houses | University Catholicuniversitycatholic.org/about/our-houses · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Frassati House | Belmont & Vanderbilt - Nashville”
    Frassati House is one of the ministry's houses serving Vanderbilt and Belmont students.
  5. Adoration and Confession | University Catholicuniversitycatholic.org/pray/adoration · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Frassati’s Chapel 9 am – 4:20 pm”
    Tuesday adoration is held in Frassati's Chapel.

Reach out

Contact details for Fr. Rhodes Bolster, STL (UCat Nashville Chaplain) and 3 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

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Academic Excellence

AAcademic Excellence: 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.
100 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.94%
  • First-year retention 20% of scoreThis measure counts for 20% of the Academic Excellence score.96%
  • Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.SAT 1,549 · ACT 34.5
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.8 to 1
  • Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$34,184

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)
7,152
Total students13,456
Average net price (per year)
After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid
$15,846
Cost of attendance (per year)$89,590
Median federal debt at graduation$14,000
Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
94%
First-year retention96%
Median earnings 10 years after entry$91,565
Admission rate6%
Students receiving Pell grants20%
Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT1549
SAT reading & writing730–770
SAT math770–800
ACT composite34–35
Test policyConsidered but not required

Value index: 86 / 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 Nashville

The Most Reverend J. Mark Spalding, Bishop of Nashville

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Source: usccb.org, verified Oct. 7, 2026.

Diocese determined from the county using NCES Catholic school records. Confirm with the diocese.

About this school’s data

  • IPEDS unit ID 221999
  • Carnegie classification: Doctoral university (very high research)
  • Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges d.b.a. Commission on Colleges and Universities (U.S. Department of Education DAPIP)
  • Report an error or a newer source
  • Respond as this school

Questions families ask

Is Vanderbilt University a Catholic college?
No. Vanderbilt University is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by University Catholic (UCat Nashville).
What is Vanderbilt University’s Catholic Life Score?
81 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 Vanderbilt University?
Mass is listed at Cathedral of the Incarnation. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.

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