Lori Meadows
Franciscan University of Steubenville is a private Catholic university in Ohio, US. The university has experienced strong and sustained growth in student enrollment over the past decade, with a total of 3,977 students enrolled on campus and online as of 2024. Franciscan University's appeal to students centers on a strong integration of the Catholic faith, with the largest number of students majoring in theology, catechetics, and philosophy of any Catholic university in the US. The university's student body is predominantly Catholic and white, with a growing number of Hispanic or Latino students, and offers a range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Steubenville, Ohio, United States |
| Type | Private Franciscan university |
| Year founded | 1946 |
| Campus size | 250 acres |
| Number of students | 3,750 (as of fall 2023) |
| Number of undergraduate programs | 40 |
| Number of graduate programs | 8 |
| Number of students per semester in the university's program in Gaming, Austria | 180 |
| Number of students in the largest incoming class in the university's history | 812 (as of August 2024) |
| Total number of students enrolled on campus and online | 3,977 (as of 2024) |
| First-year retention rate | 89% |
| Graduation rate | 75% |
| Student/faculty ratio | 15:1 |
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What You'll Learn
Franciscan University of Steubenville's student numbers
The Franciscan University of Steubenville is a private Catholic university in Steubenville, Ohio. It was founded in 1946 as the "College of Steubenville" by the Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular. The college became a university in 1980 and adopted its current name in 1986.
The university has experienced strong and sustained growth in recent years. In 2023, it enrolled 3,750 students in 40 undergraduate and 8 graduate degree programs. This represents an increase from the previous year, when the university welcomed approximately 2,978 undergraduate students. The university has seen record-breaking enrolment numbers for the past seven years, with over 3,800 students enrolled on campus and online. In 2024, the university celebrated 50 years of household life on campus, with 24 men's households and 26 women's households.
The student body at Franciscan University is predominantly Catholic and the university claims to have the largest number of students majoring in theology, catechetics, and philosophy among Catholic universities in the United States. The integration of the Catholic faith into the curriculum and student life is a significant draw for many students. The university also offers a unique Human Life Studies minor, the only one of its kind in America.
Franciscan University has a diverse range of student groups and extracurricular activities. There are 16 residence halls on campus, each with its own student groups and common rooms. The campus also features two soccer fields, a rugby field, a baseball field, and a designated intramural sports field. The university sponsors 20 sports, with nine men's teams and eleven women's teams. Additionally, up to 180 students per semester study at the university's program in Gaming, Austria, which is located in a renovated 14th-century monastery.
The university's strong academic reputation and high rankings have contributed to its growing student numbers. It has consistently been ranked as a top-tier Midwest university by U.S. News & World Report. In 2023, it was ranked 26th among Midwest universities, and in 2024, it retained its top-tier ranking, placing 28th. The university's high retention and graduation rates, low student-to-faculty ratio, and effective enrolment of low-income and first-generation students have been noted as contributing factors to its success.
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Undergraduate and graduate enrolment
Franciscan University of Steubenville is a private Franciscan university in Steubenville, Ohio. The university was founded in 1946 and has since grown to accommodate thousands of students.
As of fall 2023, the university enrolled 3,750 students in 40 undergraduate and 8 graduate degree programs. This is a notable increase from the early 1970s, when the university had around 1,100 students. By 2000, the university's student population had more than doubled, surpassing 2,100.
The undergraduate enrollment at Franciscan University of Steubenville for fall 2023 is 2,978 students. This figure represents a significant proportion of the total student body, indicating a focus on undergraduate education at the university.
The university's undergraduate programs have seen consistent growth over the years. In August 2023, Franciscan University welcomed its largest incoming class in its history, with over 770 students. This trend of increasing enrollment extends beyond a single year, as the university has broken records in overall enrollment for the past seven years. This sustained growth includes both undergraduate and on-campus enrollment, with a total of more than 3,800 students enrolled on campus and online.
Franciscan University of Steubenville also offers graduate programs, although the number of graduate students is not explicitly mentioned. However, the university's graduate programs are worth noting, as they contribute to the overall enrollment and academic offerings of the institution.
The university's appeal to students lies in its strong integration of the Catholic faith with academic excellence. This unique combination attracts students who seek a vibrant Catholic community alongside a quality education. The university's niche market positioning has proven successful in drawing students and contributing to its growth.
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Student demographics
The Franciscan University of Steubenville is a private Catholic university in Ohio, US. It was founded in 1946 and has been growing in size since, with the total number of students enrolled on campus and online reaching 3,800 in 2023. In 2024, the university celebrated 50 years of household life on campus. The campus is known for its liturgies, retreats, and spiritual talks. The student body is majority Catholic, and Franciscan claims to have the largest number of students majoring in theology, catechetics, and philosophy of any Catholic university in the United States.
In 2023, the university enrolled 3,750 students in 40 undergraduate and 8 graduate degree programs. Of these, 2,978 were undergraduate students. The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2023 was male and Hispanic or Latino (81.8% graduation rate). The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (643 degrees awarded), followed by Hispanic or Latino (158 degrees). 199 more women than men received degrees from Franciscan University in 2023.
The university has a strong appeal to students looking for a vibrant Catholic community and has been successful in enrolling low-income and first-generation students. In 2023, 90% of undergraduate students received financial aid through grants, and 48% received financial aid through loans. The median undergraduate tuition at Franciscan University is higher than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities, at $32,070 compared to $24,575.
Franciscan University of Steubenville has a total of 16 residence halls on campus, and there are 24 men's households and 26 women's households as of March 2015. The campus also offers a range of sports facilities, including two soccer fields, a rugby field, a baseball field, and a field for intramural sports.
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University growth
Franciscan University of Steubenville, a private Catholic university in Ohio, has experienced significant growth over the years, with increasing enrolment numbers and a growing campus. The university's strong appeal to students seeking a robust integration of Catholic faith and quality education has contributed to its expansion.
In 2023, Franciscan University enrolled approximately 3,750 students, with 2,978 in undergraduate programs and the rest in graduate studies. This number has been steadily rising, with the university welcoming its largest incoming class in its history in August, with over 770 students, bringing the total number of enrolled students to more than 3,800. The university's growth is evident in its record-breaking number of graduates, with an 818-strong class in May 2023, reflecting a 30% increase in just three years.
The university's growth trajectory is notable, especially in the context of declining college enrolment trends in Ohio. While many colleges in the state have experienced a drop in student numbers, Franciscan University has consistently attracted more students, defying the demographic changes contributing to the decline in traditional-age graduates. The university's unique niche of combining a vibrant Catholic community with academic excellence has been a driving factor in its ability to draw students from within and outside Ohio.
The expansion at Franciscan University is not limited to student enrolment; the campus infrastructure is also expanding. In August, the university opened the Christ the Teacher Academic Hall and Pope St. Paul VI Event Center, now the largest building on campus. This new facility provides academic spaces for engineering, business, and nursing students, as well as a wing dedicated to spiritual and educational conferences. With a growing student population and new facilities, Franciscan University of Steubenville continues to thrive and make its mark as one of the top-tier universities in the Midwest.
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University ranking
Franciscan University of Steubenville is a private Catholic university in Steubenville, Ohio, United States. The university was founded in 1946 as the \"College of Steubenville\" by the Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,978 students as of Fall 2023, with a campus size of 250 acres. The student body is predominantly Catholic, with a majority enrolled in theology, catechetics, and philosophy. The university offers 40 undergraduate and 8 graduate degree programs.
Franciscan University has consistently been ranked among the top-tier Midwest universities by U.S. News & World Report. In the 2023-24 edition of the Best Colleges guidebook, Franciscan University was ranked 26th among all Midwest universities, placing it in the top tier of the region's 164 colleges. The university's ranking is driven by its high first-year retention rate of 87%, a 72% graduation rate, and a low student-faculty ratio of 14-1.
For 2025, Franciscan University of Steubenville is ranked #28 out of 165 Regional Universities Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. The university's tuition and fees for this period amount to $34,100. The ranking is based on the university's performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence.
Franciscan University of Steubenville also has a satellite campus in Gaming, Austria, where up to 180 students per semester can study in a renovated 14th-century monastery. The Austrian Program offers a unique four-day class schedule, allowing students to explore Europe's religious, cultural, and historical sites.
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Frequently asked questions
As of fall 2023, Franciscan University enrolled 3,750 students in 40 undergraduate and 8 graduate degree programs.
Yes, Franciscan University has been growing for the past seven years. In August 2023, the university welcomed its largest incoming class in its history, with over 770 students.
Up to 180 students per semester study at the university's program in Gaming, Austria.
