St. Francis University: Student Population And Campus Life

Saint Francis University (SFU) is a private Catholic university in Loretto, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1847 and is the oldest Catholic-Franciscan college in the United States. The university has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,450 (as of Fall 2023), with an acceptance rate of 73%. Saint Francis University offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs and is known for its strong academic performance and student success. The university's ranking in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges is Regional Universities North, #30.

St Francis University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,450 (fall 2023)

St Francis University is a private Catholic university located in Loretto, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1847 and is the oldest Catholic-Franciscan college in the United States. The university is situated on a 600-acre campus in a rural setting. St Francis University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,450 for the fall 2023 semester. The university offers a variety of undergraduate, graduate, and continuing studies programs, with approximately 1,658 undergraduate students and 527 graduate students. The university has a student-faculty ratio of 15:1 and offers 63 bachelor's degrees. The admissions process is selective, with an acceptance rate of 73%. The university has a strong focus on academic excellence and student success, with a commitment to providing a high-quality education rooted in Catholic, Franciscan values.

St Francis University provides a range of academic programs, including the Shields School of Business, the School of Health Sciences & Education, and the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) division. The university also offers online programs and specialized accredited programs. The average graduation rate is 77%, with a six-year graduation rate of 73.40%. The university has a vibrant campus life and various student organizations and athletic teams, known as the Red Flash, competing in the NCAA's Northeast Conference.

The university has a rich history, established by six Franciscan teaching brothers from Mountbellew, Ireland. It was one of the first Catholic universities in the United States and the first Franciscan college in the nation. St Francis University has evolved over the years, becoming a co-educational institution and expanding its academic offerings. Today, it is recognized for its academic excellence and commitment to student success, ranking #30 in U.S. News & World Report's 2025 "Best Regional Universities" in the North.

With its undergraduate enrollment of 2,450, St Francis University fosters a close-knit and inclusive community. The university's mission is to help students grow into compassionate and successful professionals, arming them with the knowledge to become ethical leaders in their chosen fields. The university's values, rooted in its Catholic and Franciscan heritage, guide its educational approach, making it a sought-after institution for those seeking a well-rounded and values-based education.

The university enrolls approximately 1,658 traditional undergraduate students

Saint Francis University (SFU) is a private Catholic university in Loretto, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1847 and occupies 600 acres of forests and farmland. The university enrolls approximately 1,658 undergraduate students, of whom 1,392 are traditional students and 266 are continuing education students.

As one of the oldest Catholic-Franciscan colleges in the United States, Saint Francis University has a rich history. It was established by six Franciscan teaching brothers from Mountbellew, Ireland, who were gifted the land in Loretto by Michael O'Connor, the first Bishop of Pittsburgh. The university was initially founded as a male-only institution but later became one of the first Catholic universities to adopt co-education.

Today, Saint Francis University offers a range of academic programs, including 63 bachelor's degrees and 7 graduate fields of study. The university's total undergraduate enrollment is around 2,450 to 2,460 students, with a student-faculty ratio of 15:1. The university also has a strong graduation rate of 70.3% to 77%.

Saint Francis University provides a well-rounded education, emphasizing both academic excellence and student success. It fosters a supportive and inclusive environment rooted in Catholic, Franciscan values. The university is committed to creating innovative learning experiences and helping students grow into compassionate and successful professionals.

St Francis University has a student-faculty ratio of 15:1

St Francis University is a private Catholic university in Loretto, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1847 and is the oldest Franciscan college in the United States. The university is situated on a 600-acre campus in the forests and farmland of Loretto.

The university offers a range of undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education programs, with a total of around 60+ programs across various fields of study. The university enrols approximately 1,658 undergraduate students and 527 graduate students. The total undergraduate enrolment is around 2,450 to 2,460 students, depending on the source.

St Francis University provides a variety of learning environments, including face-to-face and online programs. The average class size is 13.1 students, and the university offers many classes with fewer than 20 students. The small class sizes and favourable student-faculty ratio contribute to a positive learning experience and foster a sense of community within the university.

The university is committed to academic excellence and student success, as recognised by various ranking platforms and organisations. St Francis University has earned a reputation for creating innovative learning experiences and preparing students to become ethical leaders in their chosen professions.

The university has a 73% acceptance rate

Saint Francis University (SFU) is a private Catholic university in Loretto, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1847 and has a 73% acceptance rate. The university is the oldest Catholic-Franciscan college in the United States and is situated on 600 acres of land in the forests and farmland of Loretto.

Saint Francis University enrolls approximately 1,658 undergraduate students and 527 graduate students. The university offers 25 undergraduate majors and 7 graduate fields of study, including Physical Therapy, in which the university awards a doctorate. The total undergraduate enrollment is between 2,450 and 2,460 students, depending on the source. The university has a student-faculty ratio of 15:1 and offers 63 bachelor's degrees.

The university has a strong academic reputation, ranking #30 in U.S. News & World Report's 2025 "Best Regional Universities" in the North. It also earned recognition from the Wall Street Journal, Colleges of Distinction, and Washington Monthly for academic excellence and student success. The university's graduation rate is between 70.3% and 77%, and the average time to a degree is 4.1 years. The retention rate is 82.5%, and early career earnings for graduates are $62,101.

St Francis University has a graduation rate of 70.3%

St Francis University, a private Catholic university in Loretto, Pennsylvania, has a graduation rate of 70.3%. The university was founded in 1847 and was one of the first Catholic universities in the United States to become co-educational. It offers 25 undergraduate majors and 7 graduate fields of study to its students, who number approximately 1,658 undergraduates and 527 graduate students.

The university has a freshmen retention rate of 96%, which is above the national average of 70.57%. This means that 96% of students make it past their freshman year and return for their second year.

The graduation rate of 70.3% is an average rate, and is based on six years or 150% of the normal time to achieve a degree. This means that on average, students take 4.16 years to complete their bachelor's degree. The four-year graduation rate is 58%, while the six-year and eight-year graduation rates are 61%.

St Francis University is a highly-regarded institution, ranked #30 in Regional Universities North in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges. It has a rural setting and a campus size of 600 acres. The university has a strong athletic programme, with 22 varsity sports teams competing in the NCAA's Northeast Conference.

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