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College · Catholic life on campus

Washington State University

  • LocationPullman, WA
  • Type and sizePublic · 4-year · 26,490 students
Official website
Campus Ministry Honor Roll badge

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

Catholic campus ministry at Washington State University in Pullman is the St. Thomas More Catholic Student Center, 820 NE B St, which the Diocese of Spokane lists as the St. Thomas More Newman Center. The ministry's website lists Fr. Paul Heric as Director/Chaplain, Mass on Sunday and Tuesday through Friday, confession and adoration during the school year, and weekly men's and women's gatherings, OCIA, and a fall retreat.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 3

  • Sunday10:30 AMSt. Thomas More Catholic Student Center · During the school year.
  • Sunday5:30 PMSt. Thomas More Catholic Student Center · During the school year.
  • Tuesday–Friday5:10 PMSt. Thomas More Catholic Student Center · During the school year.

Confession 3

  • Sunday10:00 AMSt. Thomas More Catholic Student Center · During the school year.
  • Sunday5:00 PMSt. Thomas More Catholic Student Center · During the school year.
  • Tuesday–Friday4:30 PMSt. Thomas More Catholic Student Center · During the school year; also by appointment.

Adoration 1

  • Tuesday–Friday4:00 PMSt. Thomas More Catholic Student Center · During the school year; runs until 5:00 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 (1)
  1. St.Thomas More Catholic Student Centercatholiccougs.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Mass Times Sunday: 10:30 AM & 5:30 PM Tues-Fri: 5:10 PM”
    The ministry lists Sunday Masses at 10:30 AM and 5:30 PM and Tuesday through Friday Masses at 5:10 PM, during the school year.
    “Mass Times Sunday: 10:30 AM & 5:30 PM Tues-Fri: 5:10 PM”
    The ministry lists Sunday Masses at 10:30 AM and 5:30 PM and Tuesday through Friday Masses at 5:10 PM, during the school year.
    “Mass Times Sunday: 10:30 AM & 5:30 PM Tues-Fri: 5:10 PM”
    The ministry lists Sunday Masses at 10:30 AM and 5:30 PM and Tuesday through Friday Masses at 5:10 PM, during the school year.
    “Confession Times Sun: 10AM, 5PM Tues-Fri: 4:30PM or by appointment”
    The ministry lists confession on Sundays and Tuesday through Friday, and by appointment, during the school year.
    “Confession Times Sun: 10AM, 5PM Tues-Fri: 4:30PM or by appointment”
    The ministry lists confession on Sundays and Tuesday through Friday, and by appointment, during the school year.
    “Confession Times Sun: 10AM, 5PM Tues-Fri: 4:30PM or by appointment”
    The ministry lists confession on Sundays and Tuesday through Friday, and by appointment, during the school year.
    “Adoration Tues-Fri 4-5PM”
    The ministry lists adoration from 4 to 5 PM Tuesday through Friday.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Washington State University, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches0.25 mi0.5 mi1 miSacred Heart Catholic Curch: 0.8 mi1Sacred Heart Catholic Church: 0.9 mi2St. Thomas More Catholic Student Center (Newman Center): 0.5 miWashington State University (campus)N0.25 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Sacred Heart Catholic Curch — 0.8 mi · 400 Northeast Ash Street
  2. Sacred Heart Catholic Church — 0.9 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

85 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 diocese's parish directory lists the St. Thomas More Newman Center in Pullman, and the ministry's site says it forms WSU students.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Parish Churches | Catholic Diocese of Spokanedioceseofspokane.org/parish-directory · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “St. Thomas More Newman Center, PULLMAN 820 NE B St, Pullman, WA 99163”
      The Diocese of Spokane lists a St. Thomas More Newman Center in Pullman at 820 NE B St.
    2. St.Thomas More Catholic Student Centercatholiccougs.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “To form WSU students into missionary disciples who know Jesus Christ, live the fullness of the Catholic faith, and lead others to Him.”
      The ministry's mission is to form WSU students in the Catholic faith.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Dedicated Catholic center or chapel on or next to campusYes (St. Thomas More Catholic Student Center at 820 NE B St is about 0.5 mile from the IPEDS campus point.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Parish Churches | Catholic Diocese of Spokanedioceseofspokane.org/parish-directory · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “St. Thomas More Newman Center, PULLMAN 820 NE B St, Pullman, WA 99163”
      The Diocese of Spokane lists a St. Thomas More Newman Center in Pullman at 820 NE B St.
    2. Contact | St.Thomas More Catholic Student Centercatholiccougs.org/contact · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “820 NE B St Pullman, WA 99163 US”
      The ministry's location is 820 NE B St, Pullman, WA 99163.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priest chaplain assigned to campus ministryFull-time priest chaplain (Fr. Paul Heric is presented on the staff page as the Director/Chaplain.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Meet Our Staff | About | St.Thomas More Catholic Student Centercatholiccougs.org/about/meet-our-staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. Paul Heric Director/Chaplain”
      Fr. Paul Heric is the Director and Chaplain of the ministry.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Weekday Mass at the campus ministry1–4 weekdays (Mass at 5:10 PM Tuesday through Friday during the school year (four weekdays).)
    Sources (1)
    1. St.Thomas More Catholic Student Centercatholiccougs.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mass Times Sunday: 10:30 AM & 5:30 PM Tues-Fri: 5:10 PM”
      The ministry lists Sunday Masses at 10:30 AM and 5:30 PM and Tuesday through Friday Masses at 5:10 PM, during the school year.
  • 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 (Two Sunday Masses, 10:30 AM and 5:30 PM, during the school year.)
    Sources (1)
    1. St.Thomas More Catholic Student Centercatholiccougs.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mass Times Sunday: 10:30 AM & 5:30 PM Tues-Fri: 5:10 PM”
      The ministry lists Sunday Masses at 10:30 AM and 5:30 PM and Tuesday through Friday Masses at 5:10 PM, during the school year.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Scheduled confession at the campus ministryWeekly or more often (Scheduled confession Sunday at 10 AM and 5 PM and Tuesday through Friday at 4:30 PM during the school year, also by appointment.)
    Sources (1)
    1. St.Thomas More Catholic Student Centercatholiccougs.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Confession Times Sun: 10AM, 5PM Tues-Fri: 4:30PM or by appointment”
      The ministry lists confession on Sundays and Tuesday through Friday, and by appointment, during the school year.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Catholic student groups and missionary outreach (e.g., FOCUS, Saint Paul's Outreach, Knights of Columbus, Bible studies)One (STM for Life is a student-led ministry. The men's, women's and Latino ministries are led by staff and were not counted as student organizations.)
    Sources (1)
    1. STM for Life | Get Involved | St.Thomas More Catholic Student Centercatholiccougs.org/get-involved/pages/stm-for-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “STM for life is a student led ministry”
      STM for Life is a student-led ministry.
      “Students at STM pray a rosary together every week in front of Planned Parenthood”
      Students pray a rosary weekly in front of Planned Parenthood as part of STM for Life.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Formation programs (retreats, OCIA/RCIA, service, small groups)Two or more kinds (Retreat (Fall Retreat), OCIA (Become Catholic), and weekly small-group gatherings for men and women.)
    Sources (4)
    1. Become Catholic | Get Involved | St.Thomas More Catholic Student Centercatholiccougs.org/im-new/pages/become-catholic · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is a pathway for those seeking to explore the Catholic faith and enter more deeply into life with Christ and His Church.”
      The ministry offers OCIA, a process for adults exploring Catholic initiation.
    2. St.Thomas More Catholic Student Centercatholiccougs.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Registration Now Open Come as you are and encounter more.”
      The ministry is taking registrations for a fall retreat.
    3. Fall Retreat Sign-Ups Are Open | Oct. 16-18 | St.Thomas More Catholic Student Centercatholiccougs.org/news/fall-retreat-sign-ups-are-open-oct-16-18 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Oct 16 - 18 Fall Retreat”
      The Fall Retreat is scheduled for October 16 to 18, 2026.
    4. Men's Ministry | Get Involved | St.Thomas More Catholic Student Centercatholiccougs.org/get-involved/pages/mens-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Frontier is our weekly night of gathering for men to have fraternity in Christ, grow in virtue, and become leaders.”
      The Frontier is a weekly men's gathering at the ministry.
  • 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 (16 weekly times documented: 6 Mass, 6 confession, 4 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

  • The ministry lists Mass on Sundays and Tuesday through Friday, two confession times on Sunday and a weekday confession time, and weekday adoration during the school year.
    Sources (1)
    1. St.Thomas More Catholic Student Centercatholiccougs.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mass Times Sunday: 10:30 AM & 5:30 PM Tues-Fri: 5:10 PM”
      The ministry lists Sunday Masses at 10:30 AM and 5:30 PM and Tuesday through Friday Masses at 5:10 PM, during the school year.
      “Confession Times Sun: 10AM, 5PM Tues-Fri: 4:30PM or by appointment”
      The ministry lists confession on Sundays and Tuesday through Friday, and by appointment, during the school year.
      “Adoration Tues-Fri 4-5PM”
      The ministry lists adoration from 4 to 5 PM Tuesday through Friday.
  • A priest is listed as Director/Chaplain of the ministry.
    Sources (1)
    1. Meet Our Staff | About | St.Thomas More Catholic Student Centercatholiccougs.org/about/meet-our-staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Fr. Paul Heric Director/Chaplain”
      Fr. Paul Heric is the Director and Chaplain of the ministry.
  • The ministry lists weekly men's and women's gatherings, OCIA, a fall retreat, and a student-led pro-life prayer ministry.
    Sources (5)
    1. Men's Ministry | Get Involved | St.Thomas More Catholic Student Centercatholiccougs.org/get-involved/pages/mens-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Frontier is our weekly night of gathering for men to have fraternity in Christ, grow in virtue, and become leaders.”
      The Frontier is a weekly men's gathering at the ministry.
    2. Women's Ministry | Get Involved | St.Thomas More Catholic Student Centercatholiccougs.org/get-involved/pages/womens-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Come as you are to gather for an evening of authentic friendship, prayer, and Scripture as we grow together as joyful disciples of Jesus Christ.”
      The Well is a weekly women's gathering for friendship, prayer and Scripture.
    3. Become Catholic | Get Involved | St.Thomas More Catholic Student Centercatholiccougs.org/im-new/pages/become-catholic · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is a pathway for those seeking to explore the Catholic faith and enter more deeply into life with Christ and His Church.”
      The ministry offers OCIA, a process for adults exploring Catholic initiation.
    4. Fall Retreat Sign-Ups Are Open | Oct. 16-18 | St.Thomas More Catholic Student Centercatholiccougs.org/news/fall-retreat-sign-ups-are-open-oct-16-18 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Oct 16 - 18 Fall Retreat”
      The Fall Retreat is scheduled for October 16 to 18, 2026.
    5. STM for Life | Get Involved | St.Thomas More Catholic Student Centercatholiccougs.org/get-involved/pages/stm-for-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “STM for life is a student led ministry”
      STM for Life is a student-led ministry.

Concerns

  • The published weekday Mass schedule lists Tuesday through Friday only.
    Sources (1)
    1. St.Thomas More Catholic Student Centercatholiccougs.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mass Times Sunday: 10:30 AM & 5:30 PM Tues-Fri: 5:10 PM”
      The ministry lists Sunday Masses at 10:30 AM and 5:30 PM and Tuesday through Friday Masses at 5:10 PM, during the school year.
  • Only one student-led group was found on the ministry's pages; the other listed groups are led by staff.
    Sources (1)
    1. STM for Life | Get Involved | St.Thomas More Catholic Student Centercatholiccougs.org/get-involved/pages/stm-for-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “STM for life is a student led ministry”
      STM for Life is a student-led ministry.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

The Catholic center

St. Thomas More Catholic Student Center (Newman Center)

  • Address: 820 NE B St, Pullman, WA 99163
  • Distance from campus: 0.5 mi (straight line from the campus point in federal IPEDS data)

View on map ↗

Source: dioceseofspokane.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026, catholiccougs.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

Retreats 1

Faith formation 4

  • The Frontier (Men's Ministry)
    Tuesdays at 7 PM
    Weekly gathering for men, led by a staff director, for fraternity in Christ, growth in virtue, and leadership. Meets at the ministry center.
    catholiccougs.org, catholiccougs.org
  • The Well (Women's Ministry)
    Wednesdays at 7 PM
    Weekly evening for women, led by staff, for friendship, prayer and Scripture. Meets at the ministry center.
    catholiccougs.org, catholiccougs.org
  • OCIA (Become Catholic)
    Order of Christian Initiation of Adults process for those exploring the Catholic faith, led by the ministry's OCIA director.
    catholiccougs.org
  • Missionaries of St. Thomas
    Full-time service for a year or more
    Full-time missionary formation initiative, launched in 2026, whose missionaries lead Bible studies, mentor students and organize retreats.
    catholiccougs.org

Clubs and groups 2

  • STM for Life
    Weekly
    Student-led ministry that prays a rosary together every week in front of Planned Parenthood.
    catholiccougs.org, catholiccougs.org
  • Latino Ministry
    Ministry for Latino students, led by staff, with a Christ-centered community and Catholic faith formation.
    catholiccougs.org

Liturgy and prayer 1

  • Sunday choir
    Sundays, rehearsal an hour before the 10:30 AM and 5:30 PM Masses
    Choir that sings at the Sunday Masses.
    catholiccougs.org

Other 1

  • Damascus Night
    Tuesday, November 3, 2026, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
    Whole-community event listed on the ministry's events page.
    catholiccougs.org

Social life 1

  • Community Night
    First Tuesday of every month, 7 PM
    Monthly community night listed on the ministry's Get Involved page.
    catholiccougs.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 (3)
  1. Parish Churches | Catholic Diocese of Spokanedioceseofspokane.org/parish-directory · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “St. Thomas More Newman Center, PULLMAN 820 NE B St, Pullman, WA 99163”
    The Diocese of Spokane lists a St. Thomas More Newman Center in Pullman at 820 NE B St.
    “St. Thomas More Newman Center, PULLMAN 820 NE B St, Pullman, WA 99163”
    The Diocese of Spokane lists a St. Thomas More Newman Center in Pullman at 820 NE B St.
  2. St.Thomas More Catholic Student Centercatholiccougs.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “To form WSU students into missionary disciples who know Jesus Christ, live the fullness of the Catholic faith, and lead others to Him.”
    The ministry's mission is to form WSU students in the Catholic faith.
  3. Contact | St.Thomas More Catholic Student Centercatholiccougs.org/contact · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “820 NE B St Pullman, WA 99163 US”
    The ministry's location is 820 NE B St, Pullman, WA 99163.

Reach out

Contact details for Fr. Paul Heric (Director/Chaplain (reach through the ministry office phone)) and 4 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

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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.
68 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.61%
  • First-year retention 20% of scoreThis measure counts for 20% of the Academic Excellence score.78%
  • Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.Not reported
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.15 to 1
  • Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$11,856

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)
21,923
Total students26,490
Average net price (per year)
After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid
$14,971
Cost of attendance (per year)$27,648
Median federal debt at graduation$19,500
Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
61%
First-year retention78%
Median earnings 10 years after entry$68,905
Admission rate87%
Students receiving Pell grants27%

Value index: 72 / 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 Spokane

The Most Reverend Thomas A. Daly, Bishop of Spokane

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Cathedral: Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes

Source: dioceseofspokane.org, dioceseofspokane.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 236939
  • Carnegie classification: Doctoral university (very high research)
  • Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (U.S. Department of Education DAPIP)
  • Report an error or a newer source

Questions families ask

Is Washington State University a Catholic college?
No. Washington State University is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by St. Thomas More Catholic Student Center.
What is Washington State University’s Catholic Life Score?
81 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 Washington State University?
Mass is listed at St. Thomas More Catholic Student Center. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.
Is Washington State University Compass Recommended?
Yes. Washington State University meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic life on campus.

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