Catholic college
Viterbo University
- LocationLa Crosse, WI
- Type and sizePrivate nonprofit · 4-year · 2,301 students
- SponsorViterbo Ministry (founded by the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration)
- TraditionFranciscan
Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin, was founded in 1890 by the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, who transferred its sponsorship to Viterbo Ministry in 2018. The Diocese of La Crosse's Catholic Life magazine (July 2026) presents Father Conrad Targonski, OFM, as chaplain at Viterbo, where he celebrates Mass at San Damiano Chapel. Viterbo's own website blocks automated access; worship schedules, curriculum requirements, and campus-life policies have not been documented.
Catholic churches nearby
- Mary of the Angels Chapel — 0.1 mi
- San Damiano Chapel — 0.1 mi
- Holy Trinity Catholic Church — 0.6 mi
- Cathedral of Saint Joseph the Workman Catholic Church — 0.6 mi · 530 Main Street, La Crosse
- Roncalli Catholic Newman Center — 1.0 mi
- Mary, Mother of the Church Catholic Parish — 1.3 mi
Within 3 miles, as mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors. The map may be incomplete. Confirm with the parish or diocese.
Faith 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.
N/ASacramental life: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.
Sacramental life
Not enough information: official sources cover less than 60% of this area.
- Not enough information: 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 on campus during the academic yearNot enough information: not found in official sources.
- Not enough information: Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.Sunday Mass on campus (including Saturday vigil)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
- Not enough information: Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.Scheduled confession on campusNot enough information: not found in official sources.
- Not enough information: Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.Eucharistic adorationNot enough information: not found in official sources.
- Yes: Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.Priests serving studentsAt least one full-time priest chaplain (or a resident community of priests serving campus ministry) (Diocese of La Crosse's Catholic Life (July 27, 2026) presents Father Conrad Targonski, OFM, as chaplain at Viterbo University, and Viterbo's president writes that he works with Father Conrad every day.)
Sources (2)
- Canticle of a Combat Chaplain | Catholic Life - The Roman Catholic Diocese of La Crossecatholiclife.diolc.org/2026/07/27/canticle-of-a-combat-chaplain · verified Oct. 8, 2026
“For Father Conrad, a retired Navy captain, former regimental chaplain with the Marines in Fallujah, and now chaplain at Viterbo University in La Crosse”
“Father Conrad Targonski, OFM, carried St. Francis with him to war and now continues to carry him home”
- Viterbo President Rick Trietley’s “good journey” to peace | Catholic Life - The Roman Catholic Diocese of La Crossecatholiclife.diolc.org/2026/07/27/viterbo-president-rick-trietleys-good-journey-to-peace · verified Oct. 8, 2026
“I currently serve as the president of Viterbo University in La Crosse and have the privilege to work with Father Conrad every day”
- Canticle of a Combat Chaplain | Catholic Life - The Roman Catholic Diocese of La Crossecatholiclife.diolc.org/2026/07/27/canticle-of-a-combat-chaplain · verified Oct. 8, 2026
- Not enough information: Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.Chapel open for prayer on campusNot enough information: not found in official sources.
- Not enough information: Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.Published weekly schedule of Mass, confession, and adorationNot enough information: no verified Mass times are recorded.
N/ATheology and core curriculum: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.
Theology and core curriculum
Not enough information: official sources cover less than 60% of this area.
- Not enough information: Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.Theology or religious studies courses required of all bachelor's studentsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
- Not enough information: Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.Required theology includes explicitly Catholic content (Scripture, Catholic tradition, sacraments)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
- Not enough information: Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.Philosophy courses required of all bachelor's studentsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
- Not enough information: Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.Core curriculum explicitly draws on the Catholic intellectual traditionNot enough information: not found in official sources.
- Not enough information: Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.Theology or religious studies major offeredNot enough information: not found in official sources.
- Not enough information: Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.Publicly affirms Ex Corde Ecclesiae in mission or governance documentsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
N/ACampus culture and residence life: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.
Campus culture and residence life
Not enough information: official sources cover less than 60% of this area.
- Partly: Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.Campus ministry staffing (chaplains, ministers, and professional staff)One (1: Father Conrad Targonski, OFM, chaplain. No campus ministry staff page could be read.)
Sources (1)
- Canticle of a Combat Chaplain | Catholic Life - The Roman Catholic Diocese of La Crossecatholiclife.diolc.org/2026/07/27/canticle-of-a-combat-chaplain · verified Oct. 8, 2026
“For Father Conrad, a retired Navy captain, former regimental chaplain with the Marines in Fallujah, and now chaplain at Viterbo University in La Crosse”
- Canticle of a Combat Chaplain | Catholic Life - The Roman Catholic Diocese of La Crossecatholiclife.diolc.org/2026/07/27/canticle-of-a-combat-chaplain · verified Oct. 8, 2026
- Not enough information: Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.Retreats offered to students each yearNot enough information: not found in official sources.
- Not enough information: Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.Catholic student organizations and faith-formation groupsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
- Not enough information: Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.Single-sex residence optionsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
- Not enough information: Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.Overnight guest policy in residence hallsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
- Not enough information: Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.Faith life in residence halls (hall chaplains, hall Masses, or faith-based living communities)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
- Not enough information: Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.Office or senior officer for mission and Catholic identityNot enough information: not found in official sources.
N/AService and Catholic social teaching: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.
Service and Catholic social teaching
Not enough information: official sources cover less than 60% of this area.
- Not enough information: Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.Service or volunteer centerNot enough information: not found in official sources.
- Not enough information: Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.Service-learning or community engagement in the curriculumNot enough information: not found in official sources.
- Not enough information: Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.Catholic social teaching in the curriculum (course, minor, center, or core requirement)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
- Not enough information: Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.Pro-life engagement (student pro-life group, support for pregnant and parenting students, or institutional initiatives)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
- Not enough information: Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.Justice and solidarity programs (immersion trips, poverty, migration, or care-for-creation initiatives)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
- Not enough information: Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.Service explicitly rooted in the Catholic mission (run with campus ministry or the mission office, or framed by Catholic social teaching)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
Grades come from the documented indicators under the published rubric. “Not enough information” does not mean the school lacks it.
Strengths
- A Franciscan priest, Father Conrad Targonski, OFM, is presented as chaplain at Viterbo University and celebrates Mass at San Damiano Chapel on campus.
Sources (1)
- Canticle of a Combat Chaplain | Catholic Life - The Roman Catholic Diocese of La Crossecatholiclife.diolc.org/2026/07/27/canticle-of-a-combat-chaplain · verified Oct. 8, 2026
“For Father Conrad, a retired Navy captain, former regimental chaplain with the Marines in Fallujah, and now chaplain at Viterbo University in La Crosse”
“Father Conrad Targonski, OFM, carried St. Francis with him to war and now continues to carry him home”
“He celebrates Mass at San Damiano Chapel at Viterbo University”
- Canticle of a Combat Chaplain | Catholic Life - The Roman Catholic Diocese of La Crossecatholiclife.diolc.org/2026/07/27/canticle-of-a-combat-chaplain · verified Oct. 8, 2026
Concerns
None recorded.
Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.
Campus ministry home
San Damiano Chapel
- Location: On campus
- Facilities: chapel
Campus ministry
Sources (1)
- Canticle of a Combat Chaplain | Catholic Life - The Roman Catholic Diocese of La Crossecatholiclife.diolc.org/2026/07/27/canticle-of-a-combat-chaplain · verified Oct. 8, 2026
“For Father Conrad, a retired Navy captain, former regimental chaplain with the Marines in Fallujah, and now chaplain at Viterbo University in La Crosse”
“He now serves alongside the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration at San Damiano Chapel at Viterbo University.”
“He now serves alongside the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration at San Damiano Chapel at Viterbo University.”
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Academic Excellence
BAcademic Excellence: 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.
72 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.68%
- First-year retention 20% of scoreThis measure counts for 20% of the Academic Excellence score.76%
- Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.SAT 1,190 · ACT 24
- Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.10 to 1
- Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$8,971
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) | 1,443 |
|---|---|
| Total students | 2,301 |
| Average net price (per year) After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid | $21,260 |
| Cost of attendance (per year) | $45,558 |
| Median federal debt at graduation | $25,000 |
| Graduation rate First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time | 68% |
| First-year retention | 76% |
| Median earnings 10 years after entry | $55,660 |
| Admission rate | 72% |
| Students receiving Pell grants | 26% |
| Average SAT | 1190 |
|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | — |
| SAT math | — |
| ACT composite | 22–26 |
| Test policy | Considered but not required |
Value index: 56 / 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
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
- IPEDS unit ID 240107
- Carnegie classification: Master's university (larger programs)
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (U.S. Department of Education DAPIP)
- Religious affiliation (IPEDS): Roman Catholic
- Report an error or a newer source
- Respond as this school
Questions families ask
- Is Viterbo University a Catholic college?
- Yes. Viterbo University is a Catholic college in the Diocese of La Crosse. Its sponsor is Viterbo Ministry (founded by the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration).
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