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Make a difference with your Saint Francis University education.

Saint Francis University named College of Distinction 10 years in a row

Accolades

College of Distinction

Saint Francis University Named "College of Distinction" ten years in a row!
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Happening This Week

Find something to do at Saint Francis University this week.
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Undergraduate Admissions

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Become that Someone at Saint Francis University

Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pa. is the oldest Catholic-Franciscan college in the United States.
Our mission is to help students grow into compassionate, successful professionals through a culture of
Virtue, Truth, and Compassion. 

 

Career-Directed Studies
Focused on Ethical Leadership 

Our University has earned a reputation for creating innovative learning experiences and being a place where students grow to become that someone that God calls them to be. Saint Francis prepares students for more than just success in their chosen professions.  Our vision is for our graduates to be leaders who carry their Franciscan values with them.
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Academics

A Breadth of Offerings

Whether you pursue your educational journey online or on-campus, part-time or full-time, we will arm you with the knowledge to succeed as an ethical leader in your profession. Explore our broad portfolio of undergraduate, graduate, and professional & continuing studies programs.
Academic Homes

Explore Campus Life: Become & Belong

Saint Francis isn't just near the great outdoors, it is the great outdoors. High in the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania, you'll find a home away from home in this vibrant and safe campus community full of student activities, leadership opportunities, and spiritual programs. 

The best way to experience campus is to schedule a visit!

 

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Admissions

Apply for Fall 2025

The application for Fall 2025 is open!
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Undergraduate Admissions

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Visits & Tours

Come on up!

The best way to get to know us is to visit campus!
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SFU’s Commitment to Inclusivity:

Creating a Welcoming Space for Jewish Students

Come On Up!

 

No matter where you are in your college search, our visit opportunities allow you to connect with us and to find out what life is like as a member of the Red Flash Family!

 

Our visit experiences offer you the chance to learn about admissions and financial aid, meet faculty and students, enjoy the beauty of our 600-acre campus, and find out how SFU will help you become that someone. 

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Founded on Catholic Franciscan Values

 

In an age of complexity, the simplicity of the message of St. Francis of Assisi has more appeal than ever before:
Catholic Faith. Humility. Generosity. Reverence. Service. Respect. Prayer. Joy. Love.
These guiding principles of the Franciscans are the values we embrace at Saint Francis University.

Our Mission

As the oldest Franciscan institution of higher learning in the United States, Saint Francis University draws inspiration from our Catholic tradition and expresses the lived example of Saint Francis of Assisi in the modern world. Saint Francis University promotes an inclusive learning community and a lifelong path to virtue, truth, and compassion. Within a culture that seeks understanding through innovation and collaboration, we champion both the inherent dignity of the individual person and the common good. 

Blog
Natalie Vogt, Honors Program Student at Saint Francis University

Honors Program Profile Natalie Vogt

Written by David Lyttle, Class of 2027 | 01/28/2025
Profile of Honors Student Natalie Vogt, a junior biochemistry major with a pre-veterinary concentration, who is currently researching the effects of caffeine on cataracts in cow eyes. Last year, she completed a directed readings course, exploring the ethics of mortality and cancer’s impact on patients and families, presenting her findings at a research symposium.
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Celebrating Our 10-Year Accreditation: A Milestone of Excellence

Dr. Andrew Miller OTR/L, CHT, CFE, ATC/L | 01/24/2025
The Saint Francis University Master of Occupational Therapy program has received a 10-year accreditation status, the highest level of recognition a program can achieve. This prestigious honor reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence in education and the exceptional opportunities we provide to our students.
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2025 FAFSA Completion Night

Financial Aid | 01/23/2025
Does the idea of completing the 2025-26 FAFSA application feel overwhelming? Don’t worry—we’re here to help! Our expert Financial Aid and Admissions teams are hosting an informative and supportive workshop in Altoona to guide you step-by-step through the process. No matter where you plan to attend college, you’re welcome to join us and make FAFSA stress-free! 2025-26 FAFSA Completion Workshop Thursday, February 6th Time: 5:00–7:00 PM (open-format event, but please arrive by 6:30 to allow enough time) Location: Curry Innovation Center 1425 11th Avenue Altoona, PA 16601 Action Items Before the
MLK Stokes

MLK and Stokes Legacy Week 2025

Erin McCloskey, University Communications & Marketing | 01/15/2025
Saint Francis University proudly announces MLK and Stokes Legacy Week 2025, a weeklong celebration honoring the remarkable legacies of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Maurice Stokes. From January 20-24, 2025, the campus will host events that reflect the values of justice, equality, and compassion, exemplified by Dr. King’s vision and Stokes’ inspiring journey.
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SFU-1 Team Rockets Past Key Milestone in Satellite Mission

Mitchell Jubas | 01/10/2025
Saint Francis University’s SFU-1 team completed the Mission Definition Review for its first satellite, a 3U CubeSat studying solar flares’ effects on the ionosphere. With a launch planned for 2027, the team now prepares for the next milestone: the Preliminary Design Review in fall 2025.
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Tapestries 2024 Winners

University Communications & Marketing | 01/06/2025
The 2024 digital edition of Tapestries, the literary and visual arts magazine of Saint Francis University, is available. The magazine features the winning entries of the Gunard Berry Carlson Creative Writing and Visual Arts Contest and the winners of the annual Father Callan Poetry Contest hosted by the School of STEAM and The Department of Literature & Languages.
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Upcoming Events

 
Explore our Location

Welcome to Loretto, Pennsylvania!

Our scenic campus sits on a mountain top near Pittsburgh. We’re just five miles from a major interstate highway (U.S. Route 22), which makes a road trip to major cities like New York, D.C., Baltimore, and Philadelphia an easy drive. 

 

 

 

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