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Saint Francis University

Saint Francis University

Loretto, PA · Rural · 1,557 students
WebsiteCommon AppForbes rankingScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$23,526
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
74%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
54% typical
$62,101
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$55,177 typical
77%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
82% typical · not scored
Accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education
About

Founded in 1847 as one of the oldest Franciscan institutions in the United States, Saint Francis University is renowned for its high-demand healthcare programs, including competitive tracks in Physician Assistant, Physical Therapy, and Nursing, as well as respected offerings in business and engineering. Set on a scenic 600-acre mountaintop campus, the university provides a values-driven, close-knit environment centered on community service, spiritual growth, and dedicated faculty mentorship. A major distinguishing feature is its surprisingly high-profile athletic culture, as Saint Francis stands out as one of the smallest universities in the nation to compete at the NCAA Division I level.

Wikipedia:Saint Francis University (SFU) is a private Catholic university in Loretto, Pennsylvania, United States. It was founded in 1847 and conducted under the tradition of the Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular. The university is situated on 600 acres (243 ha) in the forests and farmland of Loretto.

Location
Loretto, PA, 15940 · Rural campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
PIT · Pittsburgh
84 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$44,000
Housing & food (on campus)$13,500
Books & supplies$2,500
Cost of attendance$59,815
Average net price$23,526
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$44,000
Housing & food (on campus)$13,500
Books & supplies$2,500
Cost of attendance$59,815
Average net price$23,526
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$21,906
$30–48k
$19,995
$48–75k
$22,677
$75–110k
$28,717
$110k+
$22,945
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
74%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
70%
Back for yr 2
83%
Transferred
0%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
71% graduated · 7% transferred · 22% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$56,920
10 yrs after entry$62,101
Debt
Median at graduation$27,000
Monthly payment$286
Middle 50% owe$13k–$30.8k
90th percentile$37,500
Green marks a figure above the typical Master's (larger programs): 54% graduate within 6 yrs, $55,177 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
77%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1155
R 530–620 · M 520–610
SAT middle 50%: 1050–1230
40080012001600

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Essay prompts

If Saint Francis University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 40%Women 60%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
16 : 1
Pell grant
18%
First-gen
26%
Family income
$73,361
Independent
17%
Age at entry
21.0
Part-time
9%
Race & ethnicity
White
77%
Hispanic
3%
Black
7%
Asian
2%
Two or more
3%
Non-resident
3%
Unknown
5%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division I-FCS · EADA 2024-25
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Cross Country
    Men's · Women's
  • Field Hockey
    Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Lacrosse
    Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming
    Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Indoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Outdoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Men's · Women's
  • Water Polo
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$56,920
After 10 yrs
$62,101
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions48
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions42
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing38
Business Administration, Management and Operations27
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods24
Accounting and Related Services21
Biology, General20
Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences17
Behavioral Sciences14
Marketing14
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs12
Psychology, General11
Special Education and Teaching9
Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering9
Criminal Justice and Corrections9
Finance and Financial Management Services9
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$61M
Full-time faculty
100%
Faculty salary
$7,645/mo
Teaching spend
$10,246
per student
Federal loans
37%
Classification
Carnegie type
Master's (larger programs)
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, selective admissions

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