Saint Francis University

Flash Facts, Rankings, and More

  • University Leadership
  • Institutional Research
  • History & Traditions
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    Saint Francis University 

    Flash Facts

    College of Distinction
    • 600-acre campus in Loretto, Pennsylvania 
    • Catholic-Franciscan 
    • Private not-for-profit
    • Carnegie Classification: Masters Colleges and Universities Larger Programs

    Main Phone: 814-472-3000

    Mailing Address: P.O. Box 600
    (169 Lakeview Drive -package shipping) 
    Loretto, Pa 15940 

    Recent Accolades 

    Read all press releases.

    Fall 2024: Institutional Data

    • Enrollment: 1,962 (Fall 2024 undergraduate, graduate & adult degree)  
    • Graduation Rate: 73.40 %  (6 year)
    • Average Time to a Degree: 4.1 years
    • Retention Rate: 82.5%
    • Early Career Earnings: $62,101
    • Graduates earning more than peers with high school diploma: 84%

    Sources:  U.S. Government College Score Card & SFU Office of Institutional Research

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    Our Franciscan Identity

    • oldest Franciscan college in the United States
    • founded in 1847 by six friars from Ireland
    • one of the first Catholic co-ed colleges in the nation 

    Governing Structure 

    • Sponsored by the Franciscans of the Third Order Regular
    • President of the University Fr. Malachi Van Tassell, Ph.D., T.O.R.
    • Governed by Board of Trustees
    stack of books with faded background

    Academic Flash Facts

    •  60+ undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies programs
    • programs range from non-degree certificates through doctoral level programs
    • face-to-face and online programs 

    Accreditation

    Saint Francis University and its specialized programs are accredited by 12 accrediting bodies. Review accrediting details here.

    Academic Structure

    Academics at SFU fall under the scope of the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

    Academic Homes:

    Athletics

    SFU is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and the University's 22 men's and women's sports teams compete at the Division I level. The University is also a member of the Northeast Conference. The University's nickname is the Red Flash.

     

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    Athletics Fast Facts

    • SFU has won 17 Conference Championships since 2016
    • More CoSIDA/College Sports Communicators Academic All-America selections come from SFU than any other institution in the Northeast Conference
    • Saint Francis became the first school in NEC history to garner both the Male and Female Team Student-Athlete of the Year award in the same academic year in 2023-24
    • Saint Francis is the only NEC school to have at least one NEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year every year since the inception of the award in 2003-04 and have amassed 86 winners in that span
    • In 2023-24, 57 student-athletes were named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team. In addition, two men’s volleyball players earned Academic All-America status
    • The Red Flash softball team defeated Siena 1-0 in the Austin Regional for the program’s second NCAA Tournament win in program history in 2024

    Blog
    Andrew Tinker accepts DAISY Award

    Junior Nursing Student Andrew Tinker Receives National Student DAISY Award

    Mitchell Jubas | 12/03/2024
    On November 15, 2024, Andrew Tinker, a junior Saint Francis University BSN student, was recognized with the prestigious Student DAISY Award during a surprise ceremony at UPMC Altoona. This national honor celebrates nursing students who demonstrate extraordinary compassion, care, and commitment to their patients and their families. Andrew’s exceptional contribution to patient care was highlighted by his nominator, a UPMC registered nurse, who witnessed his remarkable dedication firsthand.
    Academic All District team logo

    12 SFU soccer players named to 2024 CSC Academic All-District Team

    SFU Athletics | 11/20/2024
    Saint Francis University proudly announces that 12 RedFlash Soccer players have been named to the 2024 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team. College Sports Communicators recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom.
    EcoPrint CEO-Pitch-Winners

    Saint Francis University Team Sweeps Second Place in Global CEO Business Pitch for EcoPrint

    Shields School of Business | 11/19/2024
    Three Saint Francis University entrepreneurs took their non-profit company EcoPrint all the way to second place in the 41st annual Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization (CEO) Global Conference and Pitch Fest on November 2, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. Biology-Pre-med students Caleb DeBass (Forest, VA), Carson Elbin (Needmore, PA), and Nathan Poplos (Magnolia, DE) pitched their business EcoPrint.
    Most Improved Voting Rate

    Saint Francis University Earns Most Improved Voting Rate

    Mitchell Jubas | 10/07/2024
    The 2022 NSLVE report recognized Saint Francis University for its strong voter engagement, earning the Most Improved Voting Rate in the Pennsylvania Campus Voting Challenge, the Presidential Commitment Seal, and a Silver Seal from the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. SFU also celebrated Constitution Day and National Voter Registration Day, launching a voter registration drive to promote civic participation.
    Distinctions and Rankings

    Saint Francis University Earns High Marks in 2025 Niche College Rankings

    Erin McCloskey | 10/03/2024
    Saint Francis University has earned impressive rankings in the 2025 Niche College Rankings, including #37 Best Catholic Colleges in America and #63 Safest College Campus in America. These accomplishments reflect SFU's commitment to academic excellence, student satisfaction, and a safe, supportive environment rooted in Catholic, Franciscan values.
    Distinctions and Rankings

    Saint Francis University Recognized in Washington Monthly 2024 College Guide for Value and Impact

    University Communications & Marketing | 09/18/2024
    Saint Francis University has been recognized for its exceptional value and educational impact in the Washington Monthly 2024 College Guide. The university ranked #69 out of 604 in the Master’s Universities category and earned the #101 spot out of 388 for the Best Bang for the Buck in the Northeast , underscoring its commitment to providing students with a high-quality education that is both affordable and impactful. The Washington Monthly rankings are distinctive in their focus on what colleges do for their students, the country, and the common good. These rankings evaluate institutions based
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