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West Chester University of Pennsylvania: Philips Hall WCU 1
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College · Catholic life on campus

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

  • LocationWest Chester, PA
  • Type and sizePublic · 4-year · 17,076 students
Official website
Campus Ministry Honor Roll badge

West Chester University of Pennsylvania 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 at West Chester University is the WCU Newman Center (Ram Catholic), at 409 Trinity Drive and led by Rev. Mark J. Cavara as director. The center's own site lists Mass on weekdays, Saturday, and two Sunday Masses, weekly confession on Wednesday evenings, and Bible studies, retreats, service, and mission trips, with FOCUS also serving the campus.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 5

  • Monday–Thursday4:30 PMWCU Newman Center, 409 Trinity Dr. · Daily Mass, Monday through Thursday.
  • Friday12:00 PMWCU Newman Center, 409 Trinity Dr. · Friday Mass.
  • Saturday10:00 AMWCU Newman Center, 409 Trinity Dr. · Saturday Mass.
  • Sunday5:00 PMWCU Newman Center, 409 Trinity Dr. · Sunday Mass (music).
  • Sunday8:00 PMWCU Newman Center, 409 Trinity Dr. · Sunday Mass (low Mass).

Confession 1

  • Wednesday8:00 PMWCU Newman Center, 409 Trinity Dr. · Confession 8-9 PM; also 30 minutes before every Mass.

Adoration 1

  • Wednesday8:00 PMWCU Newman Center, 409 Trinity Dr. · Adoration and confession in the church, 8-9 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. WCU Newman Center | Ram Catholicwcunewman.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Monday-Thursday: 4:30 Friday: 12:00 P.M. Saturday 10 A.M.”
    Daily Mass Monday through Thursday at 4:30, Friday at 12:00 PM, and Saturday at 10 AM are listed.
    “Monday-Thursday: 4:30 Friday: 12:00 P.M. Saturday 10 A.M.”
    Daily Mass Monday through Thursday at 4:30, Friday at 12:00 PM, and Saturday at 10 AM are listed.
    “Monday-Thursday: 4:30 Friday: 12:00 P.M. Saturday 10 A.M.”
    Daily Mass Monday through Thursday at 4:30, Friday at 12:00 PM, and Saturday at 10 AM are listed.
    “Sunday Mass: Mass at 5PM (Music) & 8PM (Low Mass)”
    Sunday Masses at 5 PM and 8 PM are listed.
    “Sunday Mass: Mass at 5PM (Music) & 8PM (Low Mass)”
    Sunday Masses at 5 PM and 8 PM are listed.
    “Confession Wednesday: 8-9pm 30 minutes before every mass.”
    Confession is scheduled Wednesdays from 8 to 9 PM and before every Mass.
    “Perpetual Adoration in Our Lady’s Chapel except for Wednesdays from 8-9pm.”
    Perpetual adoration is offered in Our Lady's Chapel, except Wednesdays 8-9 PM.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of West Chester University of Pennsylvania, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miWest Chester University Catholic Newman Center: 0.5 mi1Saint Agnes Church: 0.7 mi2Saint Maximilian Kolbe Parish Church: 1.9 mi3WCU Newman Center (Ram Catholic): 0.6 miWest Chester University of Pennsylvania (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. West Chester University Catholic Newman Center — 0.5 mi · 409 Trinity Drive, West Chester
  2. Saint Agnes Church — 0.7 mi · 233 West Gay Street, West Chester
  3. Saint Maximilian Kolbe Parish Church — 1.9 mi · 15 East Pleasant Grove Road, West Chester

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

94 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
    Sources (2)
    1. Meet Us — WCU Newman Center | Ram Catholicwcunewman.org/meetus · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Rev. Mark J. Cavara Director”
      Rev. Mark J. Cavara is listed as Director of the Newman Center.
    2. WCU Newman Center | Ram Catholicwcunewman.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “409 Trinity Dr., West Chester, PA 19382”
      The Newman Center is located at 409 Trinity Dr., West Chester, PA 19382.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Dedicated Catholic center or chapel on or next to campusYes (Dedicated Newman Center with a chapel at 409 Trinity Dr. the page describes it as between North and South Campus.)
    Sources (1)
    1. WCU Newman Center | Ram Catholicwcunewman.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “409 Trinity Dr., West Chester, PA 19382”
      The Newman Center is located at 409 Trinity Dr., West Chester, PA 19382.
      “Perpetual Adoration in Our Lady’s Chapel except for Wednesdays from 8-9pm.”
      Perpetual adoration is offered in Our Lady's Chapel, except Wednesdays 8-9 PM.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priest chaplain assigned to campus ministryFull-time priest chaplain (The ministry's director is a priest named on its staff page.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Meet Us — WCU Newman Center | Ram Catholicwcunewman.org/meetus · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Rev. Mark J. Cavara Director”
      Rev. Mark J. Cavara is listed as Director of the Newman Center.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Weekday Mass at the campus ministryEvery weekday (5 or more weekdays) (Mass is listed Monday through Friday.)
    Sources (1)
    1. WCU Newman Center | Ram Catholicwcunewman.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Monday-Thursday: 4:30 Friday: 12:00 P.M. Saturday 10 A.M.”
      Daily Mass Monday through Thursday at 4:30, Friday at 12:00 PM, and Saturday at 10 AM are listed.
  • 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 (Saturday Mass at 10 AM and Sunday Masses at 5 PM and 8 PM.)
    Sources (1)
    1. WCU Newman Center | Ram Catholicwcunewman.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Monday-Thursday: 4:30 Friday: 12:00 P.M. Saturday 10 A.M.”
      Daily Mass Monday through Thursday at 4:30, Friday at 12:00 PM, and Saturday at 10 AM are listed.
      “Sunday Mass: Mass at 5PM (Music) & 8PM (Low Mass)”
      Sunday Masses at 5 PM and 8 PM are listed.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Scheduled confession at the campus ministryWeekly or more often
    Sources (1)
    1. WCU Newman Center | Ram Catholicwcunewman.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Confession Wednesday: 8-9pm 30 minutes before every mass.”
      Confession is scheduled Wednesdays from 8 to 9 PM and before every Mass.
  • 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 (Ram Catholic student organization and FOCUS.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Home - Ram Catholic | West Chester Universityramconnect.wcupa.edu/cnsa/home · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Ram Catholic initiates, fosters, and develops faith-based relationships with and among students.”
      Ram Catholic is a Catholic student organization at West Chester University.
    2. Campuses - FOCUSfocus.org/about/campuses · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “West Chester University”
      FOCUS lists West Chester University among the campuses it serves.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Formation programs (retreats, OCIA/RCIA, service, small groups)Two or more kinds (Bible studies, retreats, service, and mission trips.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Ministries — WCU Newman Center | Ram Catholicwcunewman.org/ministries · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Small group Bible studies are one of the best ways to meet new friends and grow in faith!”
      The ministry offers small group Bible studies.
      “Spiritual There are plenty of ways to grow in your faith here including retreats, Mass, adoration, and group prayer.”
      The ministry lists retreats among its spiritual programs.
      “From our huge Thanksgiving food drive to homeless outreach with service partners”
      The ministry lists service programs, including food drives and homeless outreach.
      “Join us as we go all over the world to spread the love of Christ to the poor.”
      The ministry lists mission trips.
  • 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 adoration6 to 11 times a week (10 weekly times documented: 8 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 listed on weekdays, Saturday, and Sunday at the Newman Center.
    Sources (1)
    1. WCU Newman Center | Ram Catholicwcunewman.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Monday-Thursday: 4:30 Friday: 12:00 P.M. Saturday 10 A.M.”
      Daily Mass Monday through Thursday at 4:30, Friday at 12:00 PM, and Saturday at 10 AM are listed.
      “Sunday Mass: Mass at 5PM (Music) & 8PM (Low Mass)”
      Sunday Masses at 5 PM and 8 PM are listed.
  • Adoration in Our Lady's Chapel is listed as perpetual, with Wednesday evening confession and adoration.
    Sources (1)
    1. WCU Newman Center | Ram Catholicwcunewman.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Perpetual Adoration in Our Lady’s Chapel except for Wednesdays from 8-9pm.”
      Perpetual adoration is offered in Our Lady's Chapel, except Wednesdays 8-9 PM.
      “Confession Wednesday: 8-9pm 30 minutes before every mass.”
      Confession is scheduled Wednesdays from 8 to 9 PM and before every Mass.

Concerns

None recorded.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

The Catholic center

WCU Newman Center (Ram Catholic)

  • Address: 409 Trinity Dr., West Chester, PA 19382
  • Distance from campus: 0.6 mi (straight line from the campus point in federal IPEDS data)
  • Facilities: chapel (Our Lady's Chapel), church, downstairs lounge

View on map ↗

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

Catholic clubs and student life

9 groups and regular activities · 1 on campus, 1 off campus, 7 location not published

Service 2

  • Mission tripsOff campus
    Mission trips to serve the poor.
    wcunewman.org
  • Service programs
    Food drives and homeless outreach with service partners.
    wcunewman.org

Social life 2

  • Dinner and discussionOn campus
    Thursdays 7 PM
    Dinner and discussion in the downstairs lounge of the Newman Center.
    wcunewman.org
  • Socials
    Barn parties, free dinners, camping trips, and movie nights.
    wcunewman.org

Faith formation 1

  • Bible studies
    Small group Bible studies offered by the ministry.
    wcunewman.org

Clubs and groups 3

  • Ram Catholic
    Catholic student organization at West Chester University.
    ramconnect.wcupa.edu
  • FOCUS
    FOCUS serves students at West Chester University. SEEK conference promoted by the ministry.
    focus.org, wcunewman.org
  • Women's Group
    Fellowship of women striving for holiness.
    wcunewman.org

Retreats 1

  • Retreats
    Retreats listed among the ministry's spiritual programs.
    wcunewman.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 (2)
  1. WCU Newman Center | Ram Catholicwcunewman.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Monday-Thursday: 4:30 Friday: 12:00 P.M. Saturday 10 A.M.”
    Daily Mass Monday through Thursday at 4:30, Friday at 12:00 PM, and Saturday at 10 AM are listed.
    “409 Trinity Dr., West Chester, PA 19382”
    The Newman Center is located at 409 Trinity Dr., West Chester, PA 19382.
    “Perpetual Adoration in Our Lady’s Chapel except for Wednesdays from 8-9pm.”
    Perpetual adoration is offered in Our Lady's Chapel, except Wednesdays 8-9 PM.
    “Come to Our Dinner & Discussion every Thursday at 7pm in the downstairs lounge!”
    A dinner and discussion is held Thursdays at 7 PM in the downstairs lounge.
  2. Meet Us — WCU Newman Center | Ram Catholicwcunewman.org/meetus · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Rev. Mark J. Cavara Director”
    Rev. Mark J. Cavara is listed as Director of the Newman Center.

Reach out

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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.71%
  • 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 1,187 · ACT 26
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.20 to 1
  • Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$8,968

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)
14,344
Total students17,076
Average net price (per year)
After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid
$23,331
Cost of attendance (per year)$28,394
Median federal debt at graduation$23,500
Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
71%
First-year retention83%
Median earnings 10 years after entry$61,258
Admission rate78%
Students receiving Pell grants25%
Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT1187
SAT reading & writing560–650
SAT math540–620
ACT composite24–28
Test policyConsidered but not required

Value index: 59 / 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 Philadelphia

The Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, Archbishop of Philadelphia

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Source: catholicchurchofphila.org, catholicchurchofphila.org, catholicchurchofphila.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 216764
  • Carnegie classification: Doctoral university (high research)
  • Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (U.S. Department of Education DAPIP)
  • Report an error or a newer source

Questions families ask

Is West Chester University of Pennsylvania a Catholic college?
No. West Chester University of Pennsylvania is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by WCU Newman Center (Ram Catholic).
What is West Chester University of Pennsylvania’s Catholic Life Score?
88 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 West Chester University of Pennsylvania?
Mass is listed at WCU Newman Center and 409 Trinity Dr.. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.
Is West Chester University of Pennsylvania Compass Recommended?
Yes. West Chester University of Pennsylvania meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic life on campus.

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