Saint Francis University

Private · Moderately Selective · PA

Photo: Nmpenguin (Public domain)

School data & stats

TypePrivate

LocationPA · Northeast

SettingRural

Undergrads1,557

Student:faculty16:1

Outcomes

4-yr grad rate69.5%

6-yr grad rate74.4%

Drop-out rate17%

Study abroad—

Cost

In-state tuition$44k

Out-of-state tuition$44k

Application fee—

Community

Racial diversity22.7%

Gender diversity60.2%

International3.3%

IdentityRoman Catholic

Overview

Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania, is among the oldest Franciscan universities in the country, set in a rural stretch of the Allegheny highlands well outside any large city.

Academics

Health sciences are the university's clear calling card — physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant studies, and nursing all carry strong regional reputations and benefit from clinical exposure built early into the curriculum. Class sizes are small throughout, and the Franciscan tradition of personal attention to each student is a consistent theme in how the university describes itself.

Campus & student life

The remote, rural setting fosters a close-knit community with limited off-campus distraction; Franciscan friars remain a visible campus presence, and Catholic identity shapes campus culture even though the student body includes many non-Catholic students.

Getting in

Admission review is holistic and personal, consistent with the university's small scale, with particular attention to fit and seriousness of purpose from applicants to its competitive health science programs.

After graduation

Graduates of the physical therapy, occupational therapy, and physician assistant programs are well regarded across surrounding Pennsylvania and Mid-Atlantic healthcare systems, and the university's small size means alumni ties within specific health professions programs tend to be tight.

francis.edu ↗

Admissions

Acceptance rate76.8%

Enrolled mid-50%SAT 1050–1230 · ACT 21–27

Test policyoptional

Rec letters0

Deadlines (2026–27 cycle)

AdmissionRolling

Applying