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Wake Forest University: ReynoldaHallatdusk
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College · Catholic life on campus

Wake Forest University

  • LocationWinston-Salem, NC
  • Type and sizePrivate nonprofit · 4-year · 9,121 students
Official website

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

Wake Forest Catholic Campus Ministry serves Wake Forest University from the Catholic Lounge in Collins Residence Hall, led by Fr. David McCanless, the Catholic chaplain. The published schedule lists Sunday Mass at Wait Chapel, Monday to Thursday Mass at Davis Chapel, and weekly Thursday confession and adoration. FOCUS missionaries lead four Bible studies, and the ministry also lists an O.C.I.A. process and an Advent retreat.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 3

  • Sunday11:00 AMWait Chapel, 1834 Wake Forest Road · During the academic year; schedule changes are posted on the ministry's calendar.
  • Monday, Wednesday12:00 PMDavis Chapel
  • Tuesday, Thursday5:00 PMDavis Chapel

Confession 1

  • Thursday1:30 PMFr. David's Office, Kitchin Ministry Suite · Scheduled 1:30 to 4:30 PM on Thursdays.

Adoration 1

  • Thursday5:30 PMDavis Chapel · Scheduled 5:30 to 6:30 PM on Thursdays.

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 & Sacraments | Wake Forest Catholic Campus Ministrywakeforestcatholic.com/mass-times-sacraments · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Sunday Mass 11:00 a.m. Wait Chapel Celebrated every Sunday during the academic year unless a schedule change is announced.”
    Sunday Mass is celebrated at 11:00 AM in Wait Chapel during the academic year.
    “Daily Mass 12 PM MW 5 PM T, TH Davis Chapel”
    Weekday Mass is listed at 12 PM on Monday and Wednesday and at 5 PM on Tuesday and Thursday, in Davis Chapel.
    “Daily Mass 12 PM MW 5 PM T, TH Davis Chapel”
    Weekday Mass is listed at 12 PM on Monday and Wednesday and at 5 PM on Tuesday and Thursday, in Davis Chapel.
    “Confession 1:30-4:30 PM Thursday Fr. David’s Office – Kitchin Ministry Suite”
    Confession is scheduled Thursdays from 1:30 to 4:30 PM.
    “Adoration 5:30-6:30 PM Thursday Davis Chapel”
    Eucharistic adoration is scheduled Thursdays from 5:30 to 6:30 PM in Davis Chapel.

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

80 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's own site describes itself as a Catholic campus ministry for Wake Forest, and the Diocese of Charlotte lists Wake Forest University among its campuses served.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Wake Forest Catholic Campus Ministrywakeforestcatholic.com · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “A Catholic home at Wake Forest—rooted in Jesus Christ and made real in everyday friendship.”
      Wake Forest Catholic Campus Ministry is a Catholic campus ministry at Wake Forest.
    2. College Students | Diocese of Charlottecharlottediocese.org/faith-edu/college-students · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Campuses We Serve NC Agricultural and Technical State University Western Carolina University Wake Forest University”
      The Diocese of Charlotte lists Wake Forest University among the campuses its Catholic Campus Ministry serves.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Dedicated Catholic center or chapel on or next to campusYes (The Catholic Lounge in Collins Residence Hall is a dedicated Catholic space on campus.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Address & Locations | Wake Forest Catholic Campus Ministrywakeforestcatholic.com/address-locations · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Wait Chapel 1834 Wake Forest Road Winston Salem, NC 27106 Catholic Lounge in Collins Residence Hall 2535 Jasper Memory Lane”
      The Catholic Lounge in Collins Residence Hall is at 2535 Jasper Memory Lane; Wait Chapel is at 1834 Wake Forest Road.
    2. Wake Forest Catholic Campus Ministrywakeforestcatholic.com · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Catholic Lounge is located in the basement of Collins Residence Hall.”
      The Catholic Lounge is in the basement of Collins Residence Hall.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priest chaplain assigned to campus ministryFull-time priest chaplain (Fr. David McCanless is presented as the Catholic Chaplain at Wake Forest.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Staff | Wake Forest Catholic Campus Ministrywakeforestcatholic.com/leadership-staff-redesign-v1 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. David McCanless Chaplain mccanldr@wfu.edu”
      Fr. David McCanless is the ministry's Chaplain and can be reached at mccanldr@wfu.edu.
      “He has served as Catholic Chaplain at Wake Forest since 2024.”
      Fr. David McCanless has served as Catholic Chaplain at Wake Forest since 2024.
  • 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 for Monday (12 PM), Tuesday (5 PM), Wednesday (12 PM) and Thursday (5 PM) in Davis Chapel, which is four weekdays. The schedule page also notes no daily Mass Monday to Wednesday, October 5 to 7, 2026, which is not counted.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Mass Times & Sacraments | Wake Forest Catholic Campus Ministrywakeforestcatholic.com/mass-times-sacraments · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Daily Mass 12 PM MW 5 PM T, TH Davis Chapel”
      Weekday Mass is listed at 12 PM on Monday and Wednesday and at 5 PM on Tuesday and Thursday, in Davis Chapel.
    2. Sacred Spaces | Office of the Chaplain, Wake Forest Universitychaplain.wfu.edu/chaplains-office/sacred-spaces · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Davis Chapel Divinity and Religious Studies Building”
      Davis Chapel is located in the Divinity and Religious Studies Building on the Wake Forest campus.
  • 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 at 11:00 AM in Wait Chapel.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Mass Times & Sacraments | Wake Forest Catholic Campus Ministrywakeforestcatholic.com/mass-times-sacraments · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Sunday Mass 11:00 a.m. Wait Chapel Celebrated every Sunday during the academic year unless a schedule change is announced.”
      Sunday Mass is celebrated at 11:00 AM in Wait Chapel during the academic year.
    2. Address & Locations | Wake Forest Catholic Campus Ministrywakeforestcatholic.com/address-locations · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Wait Chapel 1834 Wake Forest Road Winston Salem, NC 27106 Catholic Lounge in Collins Residence Hall 2535 Jasper Memory Lane”
      The Catholic Lounge in Collins Residence Hall is at 2535 Jasper Memory Lane; Wait Chapel is at 1834 Wake Forest Road.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Scheduled confession at the campus ministryWeekly or more often (Confession is scheduled Thursdays from 1:30 to 4:30 PM in the chaplain's office in the Kitchin Ministry Suite.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Mass Times & Sacraments | Wake Forest Catholic Campus Ministrywakeforestcatholic.com/mass-times-sacraments · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Confession 1:30-4:30 PM Thursday Fr. David’s Office – Kitchin Ministry Suite”
      Confession is scheduled Thursdays from 1:30 to 4:30 PM.
  • 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 (a Catholic campus outreach serving Wake Forest, per focus.org) plus four FOCUS-led Bible studies listed on the ministry's site (freshman men's and women's, upperclassman men's and women's). Counted as two or more groups.)
    Sources (3)
    1. Staff | Wake Forest Catholic Campus Ministrywakeforestcatholic.com/leadership-staff-redesign-v1 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Our FOCUS team accompanies students through friendship, Bible studies, discipleship, and a shared life of faith.”
      A FOCUS missionary team works with students at Wake Forest through Bible studies and friendship.
    2. Campuses | FOCUSfocus.org/about/campuses · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Wake Forest University”
      FOCUS lists Wake Forest University among the campuses where it serves.
    3. Join a Bible Study | Wake Forest Catholic Campus Ministrywakeforestcatholic.com/join-a-bible-study · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Bible studies are led by FOCUS missionaries and offer students a welcoming place to pray with Scripture, ask questions, and grow in faith together.”
      The ministry's Bible studies are led by FOCUS missionaries.
      “Tuesday Schedule COllins Catholic Lounge Freshman Men’s Bible Study 7:00 p.m.”
      A freshman men's Bible study meets Tuesdays at 7:00 PM in the Collins Catholic Lounge.
      “Wednesday Schedule collins catholic lounge Upperclassman Women’s Bible Study 7:00 p.m.”
      An upperclassman women's Bible study meets Wednesdays at 7:00 PM in the Collins Catholic Lounge.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Formation programs (retreats, OCIA/RCIA, service, small groups)Two or more kinds (Formation kinds listed: the O.C.I.A. process for adults, small-group Bible studies, and an Advent retreat.)
    Sources (3)
    1. Becoming Catholic (O.C.I.A.) | Wake Forest Catholic Campus Ministrywakeforestcatholic.com/becoming-catholic-o-c-i-a · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults is a welcoming journey for anyone who wants to explore the Catholic faith or prepare to enter the Church.”
      The ministry offers an O.C.I.A. process for adults exploring or preparing to enter the Catholic Church.
    2. Join a Bible Study | Wake Forest Catholic Campus Ministrywakeforestcatholic.com/join-a-bible-study · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Bible studies are led by FOCUS missionaries and offer students a welcoming place to pray with Scripture, ask questions, and grow in faith together.”
      The ministry's Bible studies are led by FOCUS missionaries.
    3. Social Events | Wake Forest Catholic Campus Ministrywakeforestcatholic.com/social-events · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Advent Retreat Our Lady of Fatima, Downtown Winston 5-9 PM”
      An Advent retreat is scheduled for Friday, December 4, from 5 to 9 PM at Our Lady of Fatima, Downtown Winston.
  • 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 adoration6 to 11 times a week (7 weekly times documented: 5 Mass, 1 confession, 1 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 celebrated on campus at Wait Chapel on Sundays and at Davis Chapel on four weekdays.
    Sources (1)
    1. Mass Times & Sacraments | Wake Forest Catholic Campus Ministrywakeforestcatholic.com/mass-times-sacraments · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Sunday Mass 11:00 a.m. Wait Chapel Celebrated every Sunday during the academic year unless a schedule change is announced.”
      Sunday Mass is celebrated at 11:00 AM in Wait Chapel during the academic year.
      “Daily Mass 12 PM MW 5 PM T, TH Davis Chapel”
      Weekday Mass is listed at 12 PM on Monday and Wednesday and at 5 PM on Tuesday and Thursday, in Davis Chapel.
  • A named chaplain, Fr. David McCanless, serves the ministry, and FOCUS missionaries lead Bible studies.
    Sources (2)
    1. Staff | Wake Forest Catholic Campus Ministrywakeforestcatholic.com/leadership-staff-redesign-v1 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. David McCanless Chaplain mccanldr@wfu.edu”
      Fr. David McCanless is the ministry's Chaplain and can be reached at mccanldr@wfu.edu.
      “He has served as Catholic Chaplain at Wake Forest since 2024.”
      Fr. David McCanless has served as Catholic Chaplain at Wake Forest since 2024.
    2. Join a Bible Study | Wake Forest Catholic Campus Ministrywakeforestcatholic.com/join-a-bible-study · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Bible studies are led by FOCUS missionaries and offer students a welcoming place to pray with Scripture, ask questions, and grow in faith together.”
      The ministry's Bible studies are led by FOCUS missionaries.
  • Confession and Eucharistic adoration are both scheduled weekly on Thursdays.
    Sources (1)
    1. Mass Times & Sacraments | Wake Forest Catholic Campus Ministrywakeforestcatholic.com/mass-times-sacraments · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Confession 1:30-4:30 PM Thursday Fr. David’s Office – Kitchin Ministry Suite”
      Confession is scheduled Thursdays from 1:30 to 4:30 PM.
      “Adoration 5:30-6:30 PM Thursday Davis Chapel”
      Eucharistic adoration is scheduled Thursdays from 5:30 to 6:30 PM in Davis Chapel.

Concerns

  • Only one weekend Mass is listed, on Sunday.
    Sources (1)
    1. Mass Times & Sacraments | Wake Forest Catholic Campus Ministrywakeforestcatholic.com/mass-times-sacraments · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Sunday Mass 11:00 a.m. Wait Chapel Celebrated every Sunday during the academic year unless a schedule change is announced.”
      Sunday Mass is celebrated at 11:00 AM in Wait Chapel during the academic year.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

The Catholic center

Wake Forest Catholic Campus Ministry (Catholic Lounge, Collins Residence Hall)

  • Address: 2535 Jasper Memory Lane, Winston Salem, NC 27109
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: Catholic Lounge (basement of Collins Residence Hall)

Source: wakeforestcatholic.com, verified Oct. 12, 2026, wakeforestcatholic.com, verified Oct. 12, 2026, wakeforestcatholic.com, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

6 groups and regular activities · 3 on campus, 1 off campus, 2 location not published

Retreats 1

  • Advent RetreatOff campus
    Friday, December 4, 5-9 PM
    Advent retreat at Our Lady of Fatima, Downtown Winston.
    wakeforestcatholic.com

Faith formation 3

Social life 1

  • Wednesday Night Student DinnerOn campus
    Wednesdays, 6 PM
    Weekly student dinner in Collins Residence Hall.
    wakeforestcatholic.com

Clubs and groups 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. Wake Forest Catholic Campus Ministrywakeforestcatholic.com · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “A Catholic home at Wake Forest—rooted in Jesus Christ and made real in everyday friendship.”
    Wake Forest Catholic Campus Ministry is a Catholic campus ministry at Wake Forest.
    “The Catholic Lounge is located in the basement of Collins Residence Hall.”
    The Catholic Lounge is in the basement of Collins Residence Hall.
  2. Welcome & Mission | Wake Forest Catholic Campus Ministrywakeforestcatholic.com/welcome-mission · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Catholic Campus Ministry supports undergraduate and graduate students in living and growing in their Catholic faith”
    The ministry supports undergraduate and graduate students in their Catholic faith.
  3. Address & Locations | Wake Forest Catholic Campus Ministrywakeforestcatholic.com/address-locations · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Wait Chapel 1834 Wake Forest Road Winston Salem, NC 27106 Catholic Lounge in Collins Residence Hall 2535 Jasper Memory Lane”
    The Catholic Lounge in Collins Residence Hall is at 2535 Jasper Memory Lane; Wait Chapel is at 1834 Wake Forest Road.
    “Contact anyone on staff with questions if you are unable to find us on campus!”
    The ministry's locations are on the Wake Forest campus.

Reach out

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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.
98 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.89%
  • First-year retention 20% of scoreThis measure counts for 20% of the Academic Excellence score.93%
  • Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.SAT 1,475 · ACT 33
  • 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.$35,708

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)
5,471
Total students9,121
Average net price (per year)
After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid
$28,719
Cost of attendance (per year)$87,499
Median federal debt at graduation$21,500
Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
89%
First-year retention93%
Median earnings 10 years after entry$78,158
Admission rate22%
Students receiving Pell grants10%
Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT1475
SAT reading & writing700–750
SAT math710–770
ACT composite32–34
Test policyConsidered 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 Charlotte

The Most Reverend Michael T. Martin, Bishop of Charlotte

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Source: charlottediocese.org, charlottediocese.org, 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 199847
  • Carnegie classification: Doctoral university (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 Wake Forest University a Catholic college?
No. Wake Forest University is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by Wake Forest Catholic Campus Ministry.
What is Wake Forest University’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 Wake Forest University?
Mass is listed at Wait Chapel, 1834 Wake Forest Road and Davis Chapel. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.
Is Wake Forest University Compass Recommended?
Yes. Wake Forest University meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic life on campus.

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