Catholic School CompassTrue north for Catholic families.
Western Michigan University: WMU Oakland Campus on 20230427
Photo: MSwierenga, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

College · Catholic life on campus

Western Michigan University

  • LocationKalamazoo, MI
  • Type and sizePublic · 4-year · 16,693 students
Official website
Campus Ministry Honor Roll badge

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

Kalamazoo Catholic at St. Tom's, the Catholic campus ministry of St. Thomas More Catholic Student Parish at 421 Monroe Street, serves Western Michigan University students. The parish publishes Saturday and Sunday Masses, weekday Masses on four days (Tuesday is excluded during the fall and spring semesters), weekly confession, and adoration. The ministry lists student-led retreats, small-group Bible studies, a Sunday supper, and a weekly Wednesday gathering.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 6

  • Saturday6:00 PMSt. Thomas More Catholic Student Parish · In person and streamed live on YouTube.
  • Sunday8:30 AMSt. Thomas More Catholic Student Parish
  • Sunday10:30 AMSt. Thomas More Catholic Student Parish · In person and streamed live on YouTube.
  • Sunday6:00 PMSt. Thomas More Catholic Student Parish · Followed by a free meal during WMU sessions.
  • Monday, Wednesday, Thursday5:15 PMSt. Thomas More Catholic Student Parish
  • Friday12:10 PMKanley Chapel, WMU Campus

Confession 3

  • Sunday5:00 PMSt. Thomas More Catholic Student Parish · Runs until 5:30 PM.
  • Wednesday6:00 PMSt. Thomas More Catholic Student Parish · Runs until 6:30 PM.
  • Saturday5:00 PMSt. Thomas More Catholic Student Parish · Runs until 5:30 PM.

Adoration 2

  • Wednesday8:00 AMSt. Thomas More Catholic Student Parish · Runs until 9:00 AM. September through April when WMU classes are in session. No adoration April 30 and May 7.
  • Thursday6:00 PMWorship Space, St. Thomas More Catholic Student Parish · Runs until 7:00 PM during the school year. Confession is usually offered during this hour.

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 (2)
  1. Kalamazoo Catholic at St. Tom's | St. Thomas More Student Parishsttomskazoo.org/college-students · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Sat: 6:00 PM EnglishEnglishEN In person and streamed live on You Tube Sun: 8:30 AM EnglishEnglishEN 10:30 AM EnglishEnglishEN In person and streamed live on You Tube 6:00 PM EnglishEnglishEN”
    Saturday evening and three Sunday Masses are listed.
    “Sat: 6:00 PM EnglishEnglishEN In person and streamed live on You Tube Sun: 8:30 AM EnglishEnglishEN 10:30 AM EnglishEnglishEN In person and streamed live on You Tube 6:00 PM EnglishEnglishEN”
    Saturday evening and three Sunday Masses are listed.
    “Sat: 6:00 PM EnglishEnglishEN In person and streamed live on You Tube Sun: 8:30 AM EnglishEnglishEN 10:30 AM EnglishEnglishEN In person and streamed live on You Tube 6:00 PM EnglishEnglishEN”
    Saturday evening and three Sunday Masses are listed.
    “Sat: 6:00 PM EnglishEnglishEN In person and streamed live on You Tube Sun: 8:30 AM EnglishEnglishEN 10:30 AM EnglishEnglishEN In person and streamed live on You Tube 6:00 PM EnglishEnglishEN”
    Saturday evening and three Sunday Masses are listed.
    “Mon: 5:15 PM EnglishEnglishEN Tue: 5:15 PM EnglishEnglishEN No Mass Tuesdays during WMU Fall & Spring Semesters Wed: 5:15 PM EnglishEnglishEN Thu: 5:15 PM EnglishEnglishEN Fri: 12:10 PM EnglishEnglishEN Mass @ Kanley Chapel, WMU Campus”
    Weekday Masses are listed for Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, with Friday at Kanley Chapel on the WMU campus. The page states there are no Tuesday Masses during the fall and spring semesters.
    “Mon: 5:15 PM EnglishEnglishEN Tue: 5:15 PM EnglishEnglishEN No Mass Tuesdays during WMU Fall & Spring Semesters Wed: 5:15 PM EnglishEnglishEN Thu: 5:15 PM EnglishEnglishEN Fri: 12:10 PM EnglishEnglishEN Mass @ Kanley Chapel, WMU Campus”
    Weekday Masses are listed for Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, with Friday at Kanley Chapel on the WMU campus. The page states there are no Tuesday Masses during the fall and spring semesters.
    “Confession Times Sun: 5:00 PM to 5:30 PM Wed: 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM Sat: 5:00 PM to 5:30 PM”
    Confession is scheduled on Sunday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
    “Confession Times Sun: 5:00 PM to 5:30 PM Wed: 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM Sat: 5:00 PM to 5:30 PM”
    Confession is scheduled on Sunday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
    “Confession Times Sun: 5:00 PM to 5:30 PM Wed: 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM Sat: 5:00 PM to 5:30 PM”
    Confession is scheduled on Sunday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
    “Adoration Times Wed: 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM No Adoration April 30 & May 7 Thu: 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM”
    Adoration is listed for Wednesday morning and Thursday evening.
  2. Confession & Adoration Times | St. Thomas More Student Parishsttomskazoo.org/confession-adoration · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Thursday 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM *September through April when WMU classes are in session.”
    The Confession & Adoration page lists the same Thursday adoration hour and the Sunday, Wednesday, and Saturday confession times.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Western Michigan University, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miSt. Thomas More Catholic Parish: 0.7 mi1Saint Augustine Cathedral: 1.3 mi2St. Joseph Catholic Church: 2.3 mi3Saint Monica Parish: 2.8 mi4St. Thomas More Catholic Student Parish (Kalamazoo Catholic at St. Tom's): 0.7 miWestern Michigan University (campus)N2 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. St. Thomas More Catholic Parish — 0.7 mi · 421 Monroe Street, Kalamazoo
  2. Saint Augustine Cathedral — 1.3 mi · 542 West Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo
  3. St. Joseph Catholic Church — 2.3 mi · 936 Lake Street, Kalamazoo
  4. Saint Monica Parish — 2.8 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 parish's own college page says it is the home of Catholic Campus Ministry in Kalamazoo and serves WMU students.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Kalamazoo Catholic at St. Tom's | St. Thomas More Student Parishsttomskazoo.org/college-students · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “is the home of Catholic Campus Ministry in Kalamazoo. Conveniently located between Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo College, we also serve those studying at Kalamazoo Valley Community College and WMed.”
      The parish is the home of the Catholic campus ministry in Kalamazoo, which serves students at Western Michigan University.
      “A free, homemade meal following 6:00 pm Sunday Mass each week that WMU is in session.”
      The ministry offers a free meal after the Sunday evening Mass during WMU sessions.
      “Mon: 5:15 PM EnglishEnglishEN Tue: 5:15 PM EnglishEnglishEN No Mass Tuesdays during WMU Fall & Spring Semesters Wed: 5:15 PM EnglishEnglishEN Thu: 5:15 PM EnglishEnglishEN Fri: 12:10 PM EnglishEnglishEN Mass @ Kanley Chapel, WMU Campus”
      Weekday Masses are listed for Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, with Friday at Kanley Chapel on the WMU campus. The page states there are no Tuesday Masses during the fall and spring semesters.
  • 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 Parish at 421 Monroe St. is about 0.7 mile from the university's address.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Kalamazoo Catholic at St. Tom's | St. Thomas More Student Parishsttomskazoo.org/college-students · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “is the home of Catholic Campus Ministry in Kalamazoo. Conveniently located between Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo College, we also serve those studying at Kalamazoo Valley Community College and WMed.”
      The parish is the home of the Catholic campus ministry in Kalamazoo, which serves students at Western Michigan University.
    2. Contact Us | St. Thomas More Student Parishsttomskazoo.org/contact · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “St. Thomas More Catholic Student Parish 421 Monroe Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49006”
      The parish is located at 421 Monroe Street, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49006.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Priest chaplain assigned to campus ministryFull-time priest chaplain (Fr. Paul Redmond is pastor of St. Thomas More Catholic Student Parish, the student parish serving WMU.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Our Staff | St. Thomas More Student Parishsttomskazoo.org/staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Father Paul Redmond Pastor, Sacramental Minister 269-381-8917 ext. 264”
      Father Paul Redmond is the pastor and sacramental minister of the parish.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Weekday Mass at the campus ministry1–4 weekdays (Weekday Masses are listed on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday at the parish, and on Friday at Kanley Chapel on the WMU campus. The page states there are no Tuesday Masses during the fall and spring semesters, even though a Tuesday time appears in the table.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Kalamazoo Catholic at St. Tom's | St. Thomas More Student Parishsttomskazoo.org/college-students · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mon: 5:15 PM EnglishEnglishEN Tue: 5:15 PM EnglishEnglishEN No Mass Tuesdays during WMU Fall & Spring Semesters Wed: 5:15 PM EnglishEnglishEN Thu: 5:15 PM EnglishEnglishEN Fri: 12:10 PM EnglishEnglishEN Mass @ Kanley Chapel, WMU Campus”
      Weekday Masses are listed for Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, with Friday at Kanley Chapel on the WMU campus. The page states there are no Tuesday Masses during the fall and spring semesters.
  • 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 6:00 PM and Sunday 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, and 6:00 PM Masses are listed.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Kalamazoo Catholic at St. Tom's | St. Thomas More Student Parishsttomskazoo.org/college-students · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Sat: 6:00 PM EnglishEnglishEN In person and streamed live on You Tube Sun: 8:30 AM EnglishEnglishEN 10:30 AM EnglishEnglishEN In person and streamed live on You Tube 6:00 PM EnglishEnglishEN”
      Saturday evening and three Sunday Masses are listed.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Scheduled confession at the campus ministryWeekly or more often (Confession is listed on Sunday, Wednesday, and Saturday on both the student page and the Confession & Adoration page.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Kalamazoo Catholic at St. Tom's | St. Thomas More Student Parishsttomskazoo.org/college-students · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Confession Times Sun: 5:00 PM to 5:30 PM Wed: 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM Sat: 5:00 PM to 5:30 PM”
      Confession is scheduled on Sunday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • 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 (The only Catholic student group found is the student-led small-group Bible studies.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Kalamazoo Catholic at St. Tom's | St. Thomas More Student Parishsttomskazoo.org/college-students · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “We offer student-led, small group bible studies that fit your schedule and interests.”
      The ministry offers student-led small-group Bible studies.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Formation programs (retreats, OCIA/RCIA, service, small groups)Two or more kinds (Two kinds of formation are listed: student-led weekend retreats and small-group Bible studies.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Kalamazoo Catholic at St. Tom's | St. Thomas More Student Parishsttomskazoo.org/college-students · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Planned and run by student leaders, these weekends away from campus provide students”
      The ministry runs student-led weekend retreats away from campus.
      “We offer student-led, small group bible studies that fit your schedule and interests.”
      The ministry offers student-led small-group Bible studies.
  • 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 (13 weekly times documented: 8 Mass, 3 confession, 2 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

  • Masses are published four times on weekends and on four weekdays, with a Friday Mass on the WMU campus.
    Sources (1)
    1. Kalamazoo Catholic at St. Tom's | St. Thomas More Student Parishsttomskazoo.org/college-students · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mon: 5:15 PM EnglishEnglishEN Tue: 5:15 PM EnglishEnglishEN No Mass Tuesdays during WMU Fall & Spring Semesters Wed: 5:15 PM EnglishEnglishEN Thu: 5:15 PM EnglishEnglishEN Fri: 12:10 PM EnglishEnglishEN Mass @ Kanley Chapel, WMU Campus”
      Weekday Masses are listed for Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, with Friday at Kanley Chapel on the WMU campus. The page states there are no Tuesday Masses during the fall and spring semesters.
      “Sat: 6:00 PM EnglishEnglishEN In person and streamed live on You Tube Sun: 8:30 AM EnglishEnglishEN 10:30 AM EnglishEnglishEN In person and streamed live on You Tube 6:00 PM EnglishEnglishEN”
      Saturday evening and three Sunday Masses are listed.
  • Confession is scheduled weekly on three days, and adoration is listed weekly.
    Sources (1)
    1. Kalamazoo Catholic at St. Tom's | St. Thomas More Student Parishsttomskazoo.org/college-students · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Confession Times Sun: 5:00 PM to 5:30 PM Wed: 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM Sat: 5:00 PM to 5:30 PM”
      Confession is scheduled on Sunday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
      “Adoration Times Wed: 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM No Adoration April 30 & May 7 Thu: 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM”
      Adoration is listed for Wednesday morning and Thursday evening.

Concerns

  • The ministry is based at a parish between WMU and Kalamazoo College; no page states that a Catholic center or chapel is on or next to campus.
    Sources (1)
    1. Kalamazoo Catholic at St. Tom's | St. Thomas More Student Parishsttomskazoo.org/college-students · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “is the home of Catholic Campus Ministry in Kalamazoo. Conveniently located between Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo College, we also serve those studying at Kalamazoo Valley Community College and WMed.”
      The parish is the home of the Catholic campus ministry in Kalamazoo, which serves students at Western Michigan University.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

The Catholic center

St. Thomas More Catholic Student Parish (Kalamazoo Catholic at St. Tom's)

  • Address: 421 Monroe Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49006
  • Distance from campus: 0.7 mi (straight line from the campus point in federal IPEDS data)
  • Facilities: church building, worship space

View on map ↗

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

Catholic clubs and student life

6 groups and regular activities · 0 on campus, 1 off campus, 5 location not published

Retreats 1

  • Student-led weekend retreatsOff campus
    Weekend retreats planned and run by student leaders, held away from campus.
    sttomskazoo.org

Faith formation 1

  • Small-group Bible studies
    Student-led small-group Bible studies that fit student schedules and interests.
    sttomskazoo.org

Liturgy and prayer 1

  • Thursday session with Fr. Paul
    Thursdays, 6:00-7:00 PM during the school year
    Weekly evening in the Worship Space led by Fr. Paul or a guest priest, with confession usually offered.
    sttomskazoo.org

Other 1

  • Sunday shuttle
    Rides to the 6:00 PM Sunday Mass from on or off campus; students request a spot by email.
    sttomskazoo.org

Social life 2

  • Sunday Supper
    Sundays after the 6:00 PM Mass, during WMU sessions
    Free homemade meal for college students after the 6:00 PM Sunday Mass.
    sttomskazoo.org
  • Wednesday night gathering
    Wednesdays, 7:00-9:00 PM
    Free pizza and an activity that changes each week, including presentations on the Catholic faith, discussions, prayer experiences, and community service.
    sttomskazoo.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. Kalamazoo Catholic at St. Tom's | St. Thomas More Student Parishsttomskazoo.org/college-students · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “is the home of Catholic Campus Ministry in Kalamazoo. Conveniently located between Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo College, we also serve those studying at Kalamazoo Valley Community College and WMed.”
    The parish is the home of the Catholic campus ministry in Kalamazoo, which serves students at Western Michigan University.
    “is the home of Catholic Campus Ministry in Kalamazoo. Conveniently located between Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo College, we also serve those studying at Kalamazoo Valley Community College and WMed.”
    The parish is the home of the Catholic campus ministry in Kalamazoo, which serves students at Western Michigan University.
  2. Contact Us | St. Thomas More Student Parishsttomskazoo.org/contact · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “St. Thomas More Catholic Student Parish 421 Monroe Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49006”
    The parish is located at 421 Monroe Street, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49006.

Reach out

Contact details for Lisa Heyduk (Campus Minister) and 5 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

Sign in Create a free account

We keep campus ministers’ emails behind sign-in to protect them from spam.

My rating and notes

Sign in or create a free account to rate this school privately, keep notes, and save it to your list.

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.58%
  • First-year retention 20% of scoreThis measure counts for 20% of the Academic Excellence score.81%
  • 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.16 to 1
  • Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$13,167

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)
13,026
Total students16,693
Average net price (per year)
After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid
$15,273
Cost of attendance (per year)$29,237
Median federal debt at graduation$26,188
Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
58%
First-year retention81%
Median earnings 10 years after entry$53,562
Admission rate85%
Students receiving Pell grants27%

Value index: 55 / 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 Kalamazoo

The Most Reverend Edward M. Lohse, Bishop of Kalamazoo

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Source: usccb.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 Western Michigan University a Catholic college?
No. Western Michigan University is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by Kalamazoo Catholic at St. Tom's (Catholic Campus Ministry).
What is Western Michigan 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 Michigan University?
Mass is listed at St. Thomas More Catholic Student Parish, Kanley Chapel and WMU Campus. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.
Is Western Michigan University Compass Recommended?
Yes. Western Michigan University meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic life on campus.

Reviews

Personal experiences from signed-in readers. Reviews are moderated automatically and never change a school’s grades.

No reviews yet.

Sign in to write a review.

More in Michigan · Michigan rankings