Saint Francis University

Flash Facts, Rankings, and More

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Saint Francis University 

Flash Facts


  • 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 2023: Institutional Data

  • Enrollment: 2,000 (Fall 2023 undergraduate, graduate & adult degree)  
  • Graduation Rate: 71.7 % 
  • Average Time to a Degree: 4.1 years
  • Retention Rate: 88.1%
  • Early Career Earnings: $62,100
  • Graduates earning more than peers with high school diploma: 81%

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

doors to the chapel banner

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 23 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.

 

frankie the friar

Athletics Fast Facts

  • SFU has won 16 Conference Championships since 2016
  • More Capital One Academic All-America  selections come from  SFU than any other institution in the Northeast Conference.
  • In Fall 2022, 14 student-athletes were named to the College Sports Communicators All-District Team
  • The football team competed in the FCS Football Championship for the second time in program history 

Blog

U.S. News & World Report Ranks Saint Francis University Among Best Online Programs

University Communications & Marketing | 02/07/2024
Saint Francis University has been ranked No. 138 among the 2024 Best Online Bachelor’s Programs by U.S. News & World Report. This ranking marks a 107-slot improvement over the University’s 2023 ranking of 245. A total of 348 Universities were evaluated as part of the ranking process. SFU ranks #5 in Pennsylvania.

Fall 2023 President's & Dean's Lists Announced

University Communications & Marketing | 02/07/2024
Both the President's & Dean's Lists were announced on Wednesday, February 7, 2024. A total of 801 students were named; 222 to the President's List and 579 to the Dean's List.

SFU one of 50 emerging research institutions to receive NSF funding

Marie Young, University Communications & Marketing | 10/10/2023
The U.S. National Science Foundation announced a $399,727 award to Saint Francis University as part of its first-ever Enabling Partnerships to Increase Innovation Capacity (EPIIC) grant program. The agency is investing $19.6 million to help nearly 50 emerging research institutions grow their capacity to participate in and drive regional innovation.

SFU ranks as #25 Best College in Pennsylvania

University Communications & Marketing | 09/05/2023
Saint Francis University landed the #25 spot on the list of Best Colleges in Pennsylvania, beating out more than 80 other institutions, according to the latest ranking list published by Niche, the popular college review site used by prospective students nationwide.

Finance alum named among Forbes Top Next-Wealth Advisors

University Communications & Marketing | 08/25/2023
Andrew Krout, a 2013 SFU alumni in Finance, has been recognized by Forbes as one of the Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors: Best in State for 2023. Andrew is a Wealth Advisor and Co-Chief Investment Officer at DeGroote Financial Group in Boston.