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Western Kentucky University: Pearce Ford Tower (Bowling Green, Kentucky)
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College · Catholic life on campus

Western Kentucky University

  • LocationBowling Green, KY
  • Type and sizePublic · 4-year · 16,759 students
Official website
Campus Ministry Honor Roll badge

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

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Campus Center, known as Topper Catholic, is the Catholic community at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green. Its published schedule lists Mass on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, with confession and adoration on several weekdays. The center lists OCIA, Bible studies, and a FOCUS missionary.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 5

  • Monday6:00 PMSt. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Campus Center
  • Tuesday6:00 PMSt. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Campus Center
  • Thursday12:00 PMSt. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Campus Center
  • Sunday10:00 AMSt. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Campus Center
  • Sunday8:00 PMSt. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Campus Center · The site notes no 8:00 p.m. student Mass on 10/04/26.

Confession 5

  • Monday6:30 PMSt. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Campus Center
  • Tuesday5:00 PMSt. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Campus Center
  • Wednesday5:00 PMSt. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Campus Center
  • Thursday8:00 PMSt. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Campus Center · During N.O.W. (Night of Worship).
  • Sunday7:00 PMSt. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Campus Center

Adoration 4

  • Monday6:30 PMSt. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Campus Center
  • Tuesday5:00 PMSt. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Campus Center
  • Wednesday5:00 PMSt. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Campus Center
  • Thursday8:00 PMSt. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Campus Center · During N.O.W. (Night of Worship).

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. Topper Catholic | St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Centerstthomasaquinaswku.com · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Mass: 6:00PM Eucharistic Adoration: 6:30PM - 7:30PM Confessions: 6:30PM - 7:30PM”
    Mass is listed Monday at 6:00 PM, with adoration and confession after it.
    “Eucharistic Adoration: 5:00PM - 6:00PM Confessions: 5:00PM - 5:45PM Mass: 6:00PM”
    Mass is listed Tuesday at 6:00 PM, with adoration and confession before it.
    “Mass: 12:00 Noon N.O.W (Night of Worship)”
    Mass is listed Thursday at noon.
    “Mass: 10:00AM Confessions: 7:00PM - 7:30PM Mass: 8pm”
    Sunday Mass is listed at 10:00 AM and 8:00 PM, with confession at 7:00 PM.
    “Mass: 10:00AM Confessions: 7:00PM - 7:30PM Mass: 8pm”
    Sunday Mass is listed at 10:00 AM and 8:00 PM, with confession at 7:00 PM.
    “Mass: 6:00PM Eucharistic Adoration: 6:30PM - 7:30PM Confessions: 6:30PM - 7:30PM”
    Mass is listed Monday at 6:00 PM, with adoration and confession after it.
    “Eucharistic Adoration: 5:00PM - 6:00PM Confessions: 5:00PM - 5:45PM Mass: 6:00PM”
    Mass is listed Tuesday at 6:00 PM, with adoration and confession before it.
    “Wednesday Eucharistic Adoration: 5:00PM - 6:00PM Confessions: 5:00PM - 5:45PM”
    Confession and adoration are listed Wednesday afternoon.
    “Adoration, Praise and Worship, Sacred Silence, Confessions: 8:00PM-9:00PM”
    Confession is listed Thursday evening during N.O.W. (Night of Worship).
    “Mass: 10:00AM Confessions: 7:00PM - 7:30PM Mass: 8pm”
    Sunday Mass is listed at 10:00 AM and 8:00 PM, with confession at 7:00 PM.
    “Mass: 6:00PM Eucharistic Adoration: 6:30PM - 7:30PM Confessions: 6:30PM - 7:30PM”
    Mass is listed Monday at 6:00 PM, with adoration and confession after it.
    “Eucharistic Adoration: 5:00PM - 6:00PM Confessions: 5:00PM - 5:45PM Mass: 6:00PM”
    Mass is listed Tuesday at 6:00 PM, with adoration and confession before it.
    “Wednesday Eucharistic Adoration: 5:00PM - 6:00PM Confessions: 5:00PM - 5:45PM”
    Confession and adoration are listed Wednesday afternoon.
    “Adoration, Praise and Worship, Sacred Silence, Confessions: 8:00PM-9:00PM”
    Confession is listed Thursday evening during N.O.W. (Night of Worship).

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Western Kentucky University, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches0.5 mi1 mi2 miSaint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Campus Center: 0.4 mi1Saint Joseph Catholic Church: 1.3 mi2St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Campus Center (Topper Catholic): 0.5 miWestern Kentucky University (campus)N0.5 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Campus Center — 0.4 mi
  2. Saint Joseph Catholic Church — 1.3 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

90 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 (1)
    1. Topper Catholic | St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Centerstthomasaquinaswku.com · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Campus Center, also known as Topper Catholic, is the Catholic community at Western Kentucky University.”
      St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Campus Center is the Catholic community at Western Kentucky University.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Dedicated Catholic center or chapel on or next to campusYes (St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Campus Center at 1403 College St. is about 0.45 mile from the university's address.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Topper Catholic | St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Centerstthomasaquinaswku.com · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Campus Center, also known as Topper Catholic, is the Catholic community at Western Kentucky University.”
      St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Campus Center is the Catholic community at Western Kentucky University.
      “Address: 1403 College St., Bowling Green, KY”
      The center's address is 1403 College St., Bowling Green, Kentucky.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priest chaplain assigned to campus ministryFull-time priest chaplain (The staff page lists Father Jason McClure under the Director/Chaplain heading.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Our Staff | St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Newman Centerstthomasaquinaswku.com/our-staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Director/Chaplain”
      The staff page labels a Director/Chaplain role; Father Jason McClure is listed with a published email address.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Weekday Mass at the campus ministry1–4 weekdays (Mass listed on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Topper Catholic | St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Centerstthomasaquinaswku.com · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mass: 6:00PM Eucharistic Adoration: 6:30PM - 7:30PM Confessions: 6:30PM - 7:30PM”
      Mass is listed Monday at 6:00 PM, with adoration and confession after it.
      “Eucharistic Adoration: 5:00PM - 6:00PM Confessions: 5:00PM - 5:45PM Mass: 6:00PM”
      Mass is listed Tuesday at 6:00 PM, with adoration and confession before it.
      “Mass: 12:00 Noon N.O.W (Night of Worship)”
      Mass is listed Thursday at noon.
      “Friday No mass”
      The schedule lists no Mass on Friday.
  • 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 (Sunday Mass at 10:00 AM and 8:00 PM.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Topper Catholic | St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Centerstthomasaquinaswku.com · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mass: 10:00AM Confessions: 7:00PM - 7:30PM Mass: 8pm”
      Sunday Mass is listed at 10:00 AM and 8:00 PM, with confession at 7:00 PM.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Scheduled confession at the campus ministryWeekly or more often
    Sources (1)
    1. Topper Catholic | St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Centerstthomasaquinaswku.com · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mass: 6:00PM Eucharistic Adoration: 6:30PM - 7:30PM Confessions: 6:30PM - 7:30PM”
      Mass is listed Monday at 6:00 PM, with adoration and confession after it.
      “Eucharistic Adoration: 5:00PM - 6:00PM Confessions: 5:00PM - 5:45PM Mass: 6:00PM”
      Mass is listed Tuesday at 6:00 PM, with adoration and confession before it.
      “Mass: 10:00AM Confessions: 7:00PM - 7:30PM Mass: 8pm”
      Sunday Mass is listed at 10:00 AM and 8:00 PM, with confession at 7:00 PM.
      “Wednesday Eucharistic Adoration: 5:00PM - 6:00PM Confessions: 5:00PM - 5:45PM”
      Confession and adoration are listed Wednesday afternoon.
      “Adoration, Praise and Worship, Sacred Silence, Confessions: 8:00PM-9:00PM”
      Confession is listed Thursday evening during N.O.W. (Night of Worship).
  • 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 (A FOCUS missionary and Bible studies are listed.)
    Sources (3)
    1. Our Staff | St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Newman Centerstthomasaquinaswku.com/our-staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Our Focus missionary's Raph Robles raphael.roblesrivera@focus.org”
      A FOCUS missionary serves students at the center.
    2. Western Kentucky University - FOCUSfocus.org/campus/western-kentucky-university · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Western Kentucky University - FOCUS”
      FOCUS lists a campus page for Western Kentucky University where its missionaries serve.
    3. Topper Catholic | St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Centerstthomasaquinaswku.com · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Through daily Mass, Eucharistic adoration, Bible studies, and campus events, we strive to form students”
      The center's About page lists Bible studies among its activities for students.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Formation programs (retreats, OCIA/RCIA, service, small groups)Two or more kinds (OCIA and Bible studies (small groups) are listed.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Becoming Catholic | St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Centerstthomasaquinaswku.com/about-1 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The OCIA at St. Thomas Aquinas is for WKU students who are not Catholic and desire to be baptized Catholic”
      The center runs an OCIA program for WKU students who are not Catholic.
    2. Topper Catholic | St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Centerstthomasaquinaswku.com · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Through daily Mass, Eucharistic adoration, Bible studies, and campus events, we strive to form students”
      The center's About page lists Bible studies among its activities for students.
  • 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 (14 weekly times documented: 5 Mass, 5 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

  • Mass is published on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at the center.
    Sources (1)
    1. Topper Catholic | St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Centerstthomasaquinaswku.com · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mass: 6:00PM Eucharistic Adoration: 6:30PM - 7:30PM Confessions: 6:30PM - 7:30PM”
      Mass is listed Monday at 6:00 PM, with adoration and confession after it.
      “Eucharistic Adoration: 5:00PM - 6:00PM Confessions: 5:00PM - 5:45PM Mass: 6:00PM”
      Mass is listed Tuesday at 6:00 PM, with adoration and confession before it.
      “Mass: 12:00 Noon N.O.W (Night of Worship)”
      Mass is listed Thursday at noon.
      “Mass: 10:00AM Confessions: 7:00PM - 7:30PM Mass: 8pm”
      Sunday Mass is listed at 10:00 AM and 8:00 PM, with confession at 7:00 PM.
  • Confession and adoration are published on several weekdays and on Sunday.
    Sources (1)
    1. Topper Catholic | St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Centerstthomasaquinaswku.com · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mass: 6:00PM Eucharistic Adoration: 6:30PM - 7:30PM Confessions: 6:30PM - 7:30PM”
      Mass is listed Monday at 6:00 PM, with adoration and confession after it.
      “Eucharistic Adoration: 5:00PM - 6:00PM Confessions: 5:00PM - 5:45PM Mass: 6:00PM”
      Mass is listed Tuesday at 6:00 PM, with adoration and confession before it.
      “Mass: 10:00AM Confessions: 7:00PM - 7:30PM Mass: 8pm”
      Sunday Mass is listed at 10:00 AM and 8:00 PM, with confession at 7:00 PM.
      “Wednesday Eucharistic Adoration: 5:00PM - 6:00PM Confessions: 5:00PM - 5:45PM”
      Confession and adoration are listed Wednesday afternoon.
      “Adoration, Praise and Worship, Sacred Silence, Confessions: 8:00PM-9:00PM”
      Confession is listed Thursday evening during N.O.W. (Night of Worship).
  • A FOCUS missionary, Bible studies and an OCIA program are listed for students.
    Sources (3)
    1. Our Staff | St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Newman Centerstthomasaquinaswku.com/our-staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Our Focus missionary's Raph Robles raphael.roblesrivera@focus.org”
      A FOCUS missionary serves students at the center.
    2. Topper Catholic | St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Centerstthomasaquinaswku.com · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Through daily Mass, Eucharistic adoration, Bible studies, and campus events, we strive to form students”
      The center's About page lists Bible studies among its activities for students.
    3. Becoming Catholic | St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Centerstthomasaquinaswku.com/about-1 · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The OCIA at St. Thomas Aquinas is for WKU students who are not Catholic and desire to be baptized Catholic”
      The center runs an OCIA program for WKU students who are not Catholic.

Concerns

None recorded.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

The Catholic center

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Campus Center (Topper Catholic)

  • Address: 1403 College St., Bowling Green, KY
  • Distance from campus: 0.5 mi (straight line from the campus point in federal IPEDS data)

View on map ↗

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

Catholic clubs and student life

4 groups and regular activities · 0 on campus, 0 off campus, 4 location not published

Faith formation 2

  • Bible studies
    Bible studies are listed among the center's activities for students.
    stthomasaquinaswku.com
  • OCIA (Becoming Catholic)
    An OCIA program for WKU students who are not Catholic and for Catholics who have not yet been confirmed.
    stthomasaquinaswku.com

Clubs and groups 1

  • FOCUS missionary at WKU
    A FOCUS missionary serves students at the center, and FOCUS lists a Western Kentucky University campus page.
    stthomasaquinaswku.com, focus.org

Liturgy and prayer 1

  • N.O.W. (Night of Worship)
    Thursdays 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM
    A Thursday evening of adoration, praise and worship, sacred silence, and confession.
    stthomasaquinaswku.com

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. Topper Catholic | St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Centerstthomasaquinaswku.com · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Campus Center, also known as Topper Catholic, is the Catholic community at Western Kentucky University.”
    St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Campus Center is the Catholic community at Western Kentucky University.
    “St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Campus Center, also known as Topper Catholic, is the Catholic community at Western Kentucky University.”
    St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Campus Center is the Catholic community at Western Kentucky University.
    “Address: 1403 College St., Bowling Green, KY”
    The center's address is 1403 College St., Bowling Green, Kentucky.
  2. Western Kentucky University - FOCUSfocus.org/campus/western-kentucky-university · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Western Kentucky University - FOCUS”
    FOCUS lists a campus page for Western Kentucky University where its missionaries serve.

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.
55 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.56%
  • 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.SAT 971 · ACT 18.5
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.19 to 1
  • Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$9,271

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)
14,590
Total students16,759
Average net price (per year)
After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid
$10,990
Cost of attendance (per year)$24,188
Median federal debt at graduation$22,095
Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
56%
First-year retention78%
Median earnings 10 years after entry$43,889
Admission rate94%
Students receiving Pell grants30%
Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT971
SAT reading & writing420–530
SAT math420–520
ACT composite16–21
Test policyConsidered 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

Diocese of Owensboro

The Most Reverend William F. Medley, Bishop of Owensboro

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Source: owensborodiocese.org, owensborodiocese.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 157951
  • Carnegie classification: Doctoral/professional university
  • 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 Western Kentucky University a Catholic college?
No. Western Kentucky University is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Campus Center (Topper Catholic).
What is Western Kentucky 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 Western Kentucky University?
Mass is listed at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Campus Center. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.
Is Western Kentucky University Compass Recommended?
Yes. Western Kentucky University meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic life on campus.

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