Loretto, PAprivate nonprofitwww.francis.edu/
Saint Francis University, a small Catholic institution in rural Loretto, Pennsylvania, blends career-focused academics with a tight-knit community vibe. Known for strong outcomes in healthcare fields like physician assistant studies and nursing, it offers a moderately selective admissions process and a residential campus where two-thirds of students live. The university punches above its weight in social mobility and graduate salaries, delivering Franciscan values with pragmatic professional preparation.
Saint Francis University maintains a moderately selective admissions process with an Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. hovering between 74-80% across recent cycles. The middle 50% of admitted students typically post SAT scores between 1070-1220 or ACT scores of 20-26, with an average high school GPA of 3.69. Notably, the university has adopted a Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight. policy for most undergraduate programs, though some accelerated tracks still require standardized test scores. About 38% of applicants voluntarily submit SAT scores. The institution received 2,623 applications for Fall 2024, admitting approximately 2,015 students.
The university offers over 60 academic programs across undergraduate, graduate, and online formats, with particular strength in healthcare fields. The most popular majors include Physician Assistant studies (a direct-entry master's program), Nursing, Behavioral Sciences, and Psychology. Programs emphasize career readiness, with curricula designed in consultation with industry experts. The academic structure organizes disciplines into distinct colleges, allowing for interdisciplinary collaboration while maintaining focused areas of study. Flexible options include traditional four-year tracks, accelerated programs, and adult degree completion pathways.
Life at Saint Francis revolves around its residential campus, where 66% of students live in university housing. The administration emphasizes creating a safe, engaging environment with intentional programming and comfortable residence halls. Campus culture initiatives actively promote diversity and inclusion through dedicated offices and programming. Students describe a friendly atmosphere with ample opportunities to participate in activities and form close friendships. The rural Loretto location fosters a self-contained community, though some students choose to live off-campus (34%).
Saint Francis boasts strong post-graduation outcomes, particularly in earning potential and social mobility. The university holds a #132 national ranking for graduate salaries and #107 for social mobility in the Wall Street Journal's 2026 rankings. Its six-year graduation rate stands at 70%, with most students completing degrees on time. The career-focused curriculum appears to pay dividends, as evidenced by the institution's emphasis on these metrics in its public reporting. These outcomes are particularly notable given the university's modest size and rural location.
The total annual Cost of attendanceThe full estimated yearly cost of a college: tuition, fees, housing, food, books, and other expenses, before any financial aid. approaches $61,500, but generous financial aid packages significantly reduce the Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. for most students. The average financial aid package for full-time undergraduates in 2024-25 was $33,725, bringing the average net cost (including tuition, fees, room, and board) down to a more manageable level. The university provides a net price calculator to help families estimate their actual out-of-pocket expenses after accounting for grants, scholarships, and other aid.
Saint Francis University distinguishes itself through its unusual combination of Franciscan values and pragmatic career preparation. The healthcare-focused curriculum—particularly its direct-entry PA program—delivers strong employment outcomes, while the small size (1,875 total students) ensures personalized attention. Its #107 social mobility ranking reflects success in elevating graduates' economic prospects, a rare feat for a rural institution. The residential campus culture fosters close relationships, with two-thirds of students living on-site. This is a school that quietly outperforms its modest profile, delivering tangible results through focused programs in high-demand fields.