Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
| Location | Loretto, Pennsylvania |
| Online | francis.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Distant Town |
| Religious Affiliation | Roman Catholic |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Saint Francis University is located in the rural town of Loretto, Pennsylvania, situated in the Allegheny Mountains approximately 80 miles east of Pittsburgh. Founded in 1847 by six Franciscan friars, it stands as one of the oldest Catholic-Franciscan colleges in the United States, operating on a 600-acre mountain-top campus featuring a mix of historic and modern buildings. The private liberal arts institution maintains competitive admission standards and offers undergraduate and graduate programs with particular strengths in health sciences, business, and engineering. Saint Francis University provides traditional dormitory housing for undergraduates across multiple residence halls, and its NCAA Division I athletic program competes in the Northeast Conference, with men's basketball serving as the flagship sport.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Saint Francis University is rated within the top 45% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 6 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Saint Francis University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#475 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#332 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#39 in Best Colleges in Pennsylvania
#35 in Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania
#432 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#38 in Best Value Colleges in Pennsylvania
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1020/1250 |
| ACT | 21/26 |
| GPA | 3.69 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $0 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $2,000 |
| Other Fees | $700 |
| Room and Board | $13,880 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,000 |
| Total One Year Cost | $60,600 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 28% |
| Health Professions | 28% |
| Biology | 7% |
| Education | 7% |
| Psychology | 5% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Saint Francis University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=215743 IPEDS survey data for Saint Francis University.
Current students may use the Saint Francis University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025