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Saint Francis University

#731 in Best Colleges in America
  • B
    Overall Grade
  • 4 Year
  • Loretto, PA
  • 555 reviews
    Apply NowVirtual Tour

    COVID-19 Update for Prospective Students and Families:

    Saint Francis University has reopened to select admission tours following CDC guidelines and plans to resume in-person classes in the fall. Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf placed Cambria County, where the University is located, into the “Green Phase” of the statewide reopening guidelines on Friday, June 5, 2020. Learn More

    B
    Overall Niche Grade
    How are grades calculated?Data Sources
    1. Academics
      B
    2. Value
      A-
    3. Diversity
      B
    4. Campus
      C
    5. Athletics
      B+
    6. Party Scene
      C+
    7. Professors
      B
    8. Location
      D+
    9. Dorms
      C-
    10. Campus Food
      C
    11. Student Life
      C+
    12. Safety
      A
    francis.edu
    117 Evergreen Dr
    Loretto, PA 15940
    Learn More
    About Saint Francis...
    Athletic Division
    NCAA Division I-FCS
    Athletic Conference
    Northeast Conference
    From Saint Francis University

    Saint Francis University sits on a 600-acre mountain top campus in Loretto, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh.

    Faith, generosity, respect, discovery, and joy are in the SFU DNA attracting students (like you) with a passion to shape the world. It is the oldest Franciscan university in the country and like its namesake, St. Francis of Assisi, students travel a road of mission, purpose and values.

    High-demand academic programs are offered in the health sciences, business, education, arts, and STEM fields. The programs combine rigorous, career-directed studies with a focus on personal and professional ethics.

    Our students go on to become accountants, biologists, business owners, chemists, doctors, environmental engineers, lawyers, nurses, occupational therapists, physician assistants, and physical therapists to name just a few--and they carry their Franciscan values with them.

    SFU is also home to 21 NCAA Division I Athletic teams recognized for academic excellence and sportsmanship.

    Scholarships and Aid
    Check Out Upcoming Events at Saint Francis University

    Saint Francis University Rankings

    Niche rankings are based on rigorous analysis of key statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of reviews.
    See All Saint Francis University Rankings

    Admissions

    Application Deadline
    Rolling Admissions
    Acceptance Rate
    75%
    SAT Range
    1030-1250
    ACT Range
    20-26
    Application Fee
    $0
    SAT/ACT
    Considered but not required
    High School GPA
    Required
    Accepts Common App
    Yes
    Read More About Admissions
    Find Student Loans

    Cost

    Net Price
    $29,188/ year
    National
    $15,523
    Average cost after financial aid for students receiving grant or scholarship aid, as reported by the college.
    Average Total Aid Awarded
    $23,592/ year
    National
    $7,535
    Students Receiving Financial Aid
    99%
    Find Private Student Loans
    Explore Tuition & Cost Breakdown
    Find College Scholarships 

    Academics

    Professors
    B
    Based on faculty accomplishments, salary, student reviews, and additional factors.
    Student Faculty Ratio
    14:1
    Evening Degree Programs
    Yes
    85%
    of students agree that professors put a lot of effort into teaching their classes.34 responses
    65%
    of students agree that it is easy to get the classes they want.40 responses
    60%
    of students agree that the workload is easy to manage.40 responses
    Read More About Academics

    Majors

    Most Popular Majors
    • Physician Assistant
      58 Graduates
    • Occupational Therapy
      38 Graduates
    • Business
      37 Graduates
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities
      31 Graduates
    • Accounting
      28 Graduates
    • Health Professions
      26 Graduates
    • Nursing
      20 Graduates
    • Exercise Physiology
      19 Graduates
    • Biology
      18 Graduates
    • Criminal Justice and Safety Studies
      12 Graduates
    See All Majors

    Aviation Concentration (scholarships available)

    Earn a bachelor's degree and your private/commercial pilot's license at the same time. Current students in the program are majoring in engineering, criminal justice and business while learning to fly. For example, Gabrielle Garritson of Texas, added the Aviation Concentration to her Criminal Justice major and hopes to pursue a future as an air surveillance pilot for the FBI.

    Online

    Online Programs Offered
    1
    Offers Online Courses
    Yes
    Online Certificate Programs
    0
    Online Associates Programs
    0
    Online Bachelor's Programs
    1
    Explore All Online Majors
    How Students Learn
    • Mix of Online and on Campus
      69%
    • On Campus
      20%
    • Online
      11%

    Students

    Full-Time Enrollment
    1,485Undergrads
    Part-Time Undergrads
    617
    Undergrads Over 25
    4%
    Pell Grant
    24%
    Varsity Athletes
    33%
    Poll
    What one word or phrase best describes the typical student at this school?
    Based on 19 responses
    • Comfortable in being themselves
      58%
    • Studious
      37%
    • Stressed
      5%
    Read More About the Students

    Campus Life

    Freshmen Live On-Campus
    89%
    Take a Virtual Tour
    Poll
    44%
    of students say that Greek life is average, and no one will treat you differently if you don't join.45 responses
    Poll
    47%
    of students say varsity sports are a big part of campus life.53 responses
    Poll
    What one word or phrase best describes your school?
    Based on 25 responses
    • Always willing to help students succeed
      36%
    • Boring
      20%
    • Good student to professor ratio
      20%
    • Helpful
      16%
    • Home away from home
      4%
    • Money Hungry
      4%
    Read More About Campus Life

      After College

      Median Earnings 6 Years After Graduation
      $52,200/ year
      National
      $33,028
      Graduation Rate
      73%
      National
      49%
      Employed 2 Years After Graduation
      96%
      National
      83%
      84%
      of students feel confident they will find a job in their field after graduation.19 responses
      Read More About Life After Graduation

      Saint Francis University Reviews

      555 reviews
      All Categories
      I just finished my first year of college here, and even though it was scary at first being in a new and open place, I have grown to love it. Education can be a little rough, but it is college. The staff is very polite and the students who attended are also very nice. The tools you get for attending the college as well like tutoring, are very useful when struggling with classes. You also get help with any technical issues, and any problems with money, the financial office is there to help you along the way. Professors go out of their way to see their students succeed, and the atmosphere of the college is very pleasant. The food as well is very wonderful and I most certainly am happy that I picked this smaller college than one of the bigger ones. The smaller class sizes make it easy to understand what is happening in the class, and everyone is there to help!
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      I wouldn't change my experience for the world, but the administrative staff and higher powers are very greedy, selfish, and don't care about the students. On a daily basis, however, the faculty such as professors and other students is an experience I am so grateful for. I have met so many amazing professors who genuinely care about us!
      Former graduate student in Mathematics Education, which led to teaching opportunities at the secondary and post-secondary levels. The teaching transitioned to the insurance industry and I am now an SVP. The foundation gained at SFU was invaluable and the professors I had were treasured then, but never more than now. Go Red Flash!
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