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Wayne State University: Education Building Wayne State Univ A
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College · Catholic life on campus

Wayne State University

  • LocationDetroit, MI
  • Type and sizePublic · 4-year · 23,553 students
Official website

Wayne 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.

The Catholic campus ministry for Wayne State University, the Wayne State University Catholic Newman Center run by Detroit Catholic Campus Ministry, is based at Our Lady of the Rosary, 5930 Woodward Ave, in Detroit. The Archdiocese of Detroit names two priests as co-chaplains, each of whom also holds a parish post.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Wayne State University, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miOur Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church: 0.4 mi1St. Josaphat Roman Catholic Church: 0.9 mi2Sweetest Heart of Mary: 1.1 mi3Sacred Heart Catholic Church: 1.3 mi4Detroit Catholic Worker Day House: 1.6 mi5St. Hyacinth Church: 1.8 mi6Wayne State University Catholic Newman Center (Detroit Catholic Campus Ministry): 0.4 miWayne State University (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church — 0.4 mi · 5930 Woodward Avenue, Detroit
  2. St. Josaphat Roman Catholic Church — 0.9 mi · 715 East Canfield Street, Detroit
  3. Sweetest Heart of Mary — 1.1 mi
  4. Sacred Heart Catholic Church — 1.3 mi · 3481 Rivard Street, Detroit
  5. Detroit Catholic Worker Day House — 1.6 mi · 2640 Trumbull Street, Detroit
  6. St. Hyacinth Church — 1.8 mi · 3151 Farnsworth Street, Detroit

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.

N/ACatholic life on campus: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Catholic life on campus

Not enough information: official sources cover less than 60% of this area.

  • 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 Archdiocese of Detroit's campus ministry listings name Wayne State University as served by this ministry.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Wayne State University Catholic Newman Center | AOD Finderaodfinder.org/charities/100021 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Wayne State University Catholic Newman Center 5930 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202”
      The Archdiocese of Detroit's finder lists the Wayne State Catholic Newman Center at 5930 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202.
      “The Catholic Campus Ministry serving Wayne State University and surrounding area based at Our Lady of the Rosary.”
      The diocese states the Catholic campus ministry serving Wayne State is based at Our Lady of the Rosary.
    2. Campus Ministries | Archdiocese of Detroit Knowledge Baseinfo.aod.org/articles/campus-ministries · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “DCCM serves Catholic college students at Wayne State University, the University of Michigan-Dearborn, Henry Ford College, and surrounding campuses, providing opportunities for Mass and the sacraments, faith formation, service, and community.”
      The diocese lists Detroit Catholic Campus Ministry as serving Wayne State University students.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Dedicated Catholic center or chapel on or next to campusYes (The center at 5930 Woodward Ave is about 0.4 mile from the university's main address, a dedicated Catholic center next to campus.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Wayne State University Catholic Newman Center | AOD Finderaodfinder.org/charities/100021 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Wayne State University Catholic Newman Center 5930 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202”
      The Archdiocese of Detroit's finder lists the Wayne State Catholic Newman Center at 5930 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Priest chaplain assigned to campus ministryPart-time or shared priest (Two priests are named as co-chaplains (Fr. Hood and Fr. Mateja); each also holds a parish post; the chaplaincy is shared.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Reverend Matthew Hood | Archdiocese of Detroitaod.org/announcements-newsroom/official-announcements/2025/june/reverend-matthew-hood · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “This is in addition to Fr. Hood's ongoing responsibilities as Chaplain of Detroit Catholic Campus Ministry.”
      The diocese names Fr. Matthew Hood as chaplain of Detroit Catholic Campus Ministry (June 2025 announcement, effective July 1, 2025).
    2. Reverend Steven Mateja | Archdiocese of Detroitaod.org/announcements-newsroom/official-announcements/2025/june/reverend-steven-mateja · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Reverend Steven Mateja appointed Parochial Vicar of St. John Fisher Chapel University Parish, Auburn Hills, effective July 1, 2025. Fr. Mateja is also appointed Co-Chaplain (alongside Fr. Matthew Hood) of Detroit Catholic Campus Ministry, effective July 1, 2025.”
      The diocese names Fr. Steven Mateja as co-chaplain of Detroit Catholic Campus Ministry, alongside a parish post (June 2025 announcement).
  • 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 at the campus ministryNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • 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 at the campus ministry or a campus chapelNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • 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 at the campus ministryNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • 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 groups and missionary outreach (e.g., FOCUS, Saint Paul's Outreach, Knights of Columbus, Bible studies)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Formation programs (retreats, OCIA/RCIA, service, small groups)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Grades come from the documented indicators under the published rubric. “Not enough information” does not mean the school lacks it.

Strengths

  • The diocese names two priests as co-chaplains of the campus ministry.
    Sources (2)
    1. Reverend Matthew Hood | Archdiocese of Detroitaod.org/announcements-newsroom/official-announcements/2025/june/reverend-matthew-hood · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “This is in addition to Fr. Hood's ongoing responsibilities as Chaplain of Detroit Catholic Campus Ministry.”
      The diocese names Fr. Matthew Hood as chaplain of Detroit Catholic Campus Ministry (June 2025 announcement, effective July 1, 2025).
    2. Reverend Steven Mateja | Archdiocese of Detroitaod.org/announcements-newsroom/official-announcements/2025/june/reverend-steven-mateja · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Reverend Steven Mateja appointed Parochial Vicar of St. John Fisher Chapel University Parish, Auburn Hills, effective July 1, 2025. Fr. Mateja is also appointed Co-Chaplain (alongside Fr. Matthew Hood) of Detroit Catholic Campus Ministry, effective July 1, 2025.”
      The diocese names Fr. Steven Mateja as co-chaplain of Detroit Catholic Campus Ministry, alongside a parish post (June 2025 announcement).
  • The diocese lists the campus ministry as serving Wayne State University students at a Detroit address.
    Sources (2)
    1. Wayne State University Catholic Newman Center | AOD Finderaodfinder.org/charities/100021 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Wayne State University Catholic Newman Center 5930 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202”
      The Archdiocese of Detroit's finder lists the Wayne State Catholic Newman Center at 5930 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202.
    2. Campus Ministries | Archdiocese of Detroit Knowledge Baseinfo.aod.org/articles/campus-ministries · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “DCCM serves Catholic college students at Wayne State University, the University of Michigan-Dearborn, Henry Ford College, and surrounding campuses, providing opportunities for Mass and the sacraments, faith formation, service, and community.”
      The diocese lists Detroit Catholic Campus Ministry as serving Wayne State University students.

Concerns

  • No current official Mass or confession schedule for the ministry could be read; the only Sunday Mass note is undated.
    Sources (1)
    1. Feast of the Assumption of Mary + BBQ | Archdiocese of Detroitaod.org/events/mass-bonfire-yard-games-at-our-lady-of-the-rosary · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “5:30pm Mass at Our Lady of the Rosary on Sundays will be celebrated throughout the year!”
      A diocesan event listing for a campus ministry kickoff says a 5:30 PM Sunday Mass is celebrated at Our Lady of the Rosary; the listing is undated.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

The Catholic center

Wayne State University Catholic Newman Center (Detroit Catholic Campus Ministry)

  • Address: 5930 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202
  • Distance from campus: 0.4 mi (straight line from the campus point in federal IPEDS data)

View on map ↗

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

Catholic campus ministry

Sources (3)
  1. Campus Ministries | Archdiocese of Detroit Knowledge Baseinfo.aod.org/articles/campus-ministries · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “DCCM serves Catholic college students at Wayne State University, the University of Michigan-Dearborn, Henry Ford College, and surrounding campuses, providing opportunities for Mass and the sacraments, faith formation, service, and community.”
    The diocese lists Detroit Catholic Campus Ministry as serving Wayne State University students.
  2. Reverend Matthew Hood | Archdiocese of Detroitaod.org/announcements-newsroom/official-announcements/2025/june/reverend-matthew-hood · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “This is in addition to Fr. Hood's ongoing responsibilities as Chaplain of Detroit Catholic Campus Ministry.”
    The diocese names Fr. Matthew Hood as chaplain of Detroit Catholic Campus Ministry (June 2025 announcement, effective July 1, 2025).
  3. Wayne State University Catholic Newman Center | AOD Finderaodfinder.org/charities/100021 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Wayne State University Catholic Newman Center 5930 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202”
    The Archdiocese of Detroit's finder lists the Wayne State Catholic Newman Center at 5930 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202.

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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.
70 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.58%
  • First-year retention 20% of scoreThis measure counts for 20% of the Academic Excellence score.83%
  • Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.SAT 1,156 · ACT 26
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.14 to 1
  • Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$14,651

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)
16,117
Total students23,553
Average net price (per year)
After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid
$12,766
Cost of attendance (per year)$27,350
Median federal debt at graduation$21,250
Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
58%
First-year retention83%
Median earnings 10 years after entry$53,493
Admission rate81%
Students receiving Pell grants46%
Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT1156
SAT reading & writing540–640
SAT math520–630
ACT composite23–29
Test policyConsidered but not required

Value index: 64 / 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

Archdiocese of Detroit

The Most Reverend Edward J. Weisenburger, Archbishop of Detroit

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Cathedral: Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament

Source: aod.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 Wayne State University a Catholic college?
No. Wayne State University is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by Detroit Catholic Campus Ministry.

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