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Saint Francis University

Saint Francis University

Loretto, PA · Rural · 1,557 students
Website Common App Forbes ranking Scorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$23,526
Average net priceYour net price
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
74%
Graduation rate
54% typical
$62,101
Earnings 10 years on
$55,177 typical
77%
Acceptance rate
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These figures are federal data and may be out of date.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
$0–30k
$21,906
$30–48k
$19,995
$48–75k
$22,677
$75–110k
$28,717
$110k+
$22,945
Grants from the school
95% of first-years get a grant from the school, averaging $30,169
Source: College Navigator (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS)
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
74%
Within 4 yrs
70%
Back for yr 2
83%
Transferred
0%
Pell students: 62.2% · others: 78.5% 
8 yrs after starting
71% graduated · 7% transferred · 22% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings
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
Admit rate
77%
Test policy
Test optional
SAT average
1155
R 530–620 · M 520–610
SAT middle 50%: 1050–1230
40080012001600
Admitted students
Admit rate: men 78.6% · women 80.7% 
Yield: 19.6% of admitted students enroll 

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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%
Where first-years come from
In state (PA)
69.2%
Out of state
24.6%
International
0.0%

Most out-of-state first-years from: MD 24 · NY 13 · VA 11 · NJ 10 · OH 10

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
  • 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
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

Wondering if Saint Francis University is the right fit for you?

omhu builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
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