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Saint Francis University

Loretto, Pennsylvania 15940

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Health sciencesTight-knitRuralGreek lifeSports culture

Known for health sciences

Saint Francis University is a private institution in Loretto with particular strength in health sciences and business. With an average SAT of 1151, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A small campus of 1.5K undergraduates with a 14:1 student-faculty ratio. The rural location provides a peaceful, focused academic environment.

73% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $62,101 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $19,173.

Established
1847
Type
Private university
Division
Division I

Campus Visits

46 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Tour

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77%Acceptance
1151SAT Avg
1,525Students
14:1Student:Faculty
73%Grad Rate
$62,101Earnings 10yr
$19,173Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate76.9%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1151

Reading & Writing
510630
Math
510620

ACT Score Range

Composite
2126

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$41,720
Room & Board$13,880
Books & Supplies$2,000
Total Cost of Attendance$57,515
Average Net Price$19,173
Median Debt at Graduation$27,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$286

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$13,256
$30–48K$10,865
$48–75K$12,775
$75–110K$18,657
$110K+$24,390

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

60.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.9%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$27,000

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

9

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

2

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

3

Drug Arrests

2

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (86)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

88%

Positive

Student Body

Undergrads
1,525
Gender Split
62% / 38%
Women / Men
First Generation
26%
Pell Grant Recipients
18%

Race & Ethnicity

White 80%
Black 6%
Hispanic 2%
Asian 2%
Two+ 3%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate72.8%
Freshman Retention88.4%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$56,920
10 Years$62,101

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

More About This School

Varsity Sports

Basketball

History & Fun Facts

  • History Saint Francis was established in 1847 by six Franciscan teaching Brothers from Mountbellew, Ireland.
  • They had been given land in Loretto by Michael O'Connor, the first Bishop of Pittsburgh, to establish a school.
  • Saint Francis Academy opened on September 2, 1850.
  • Originally an academy, Saint Francis became popularly known as Saint Francis College as early as 1860, although that designation was not formally adopted by law until 1911.
  • The university was one of the first Catholic universities in the United States and the first Franciscan college in the nation.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

97Average

Estimated from PA state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Pittsburghpop. 300K
71 mi(123 min)
Philadelphiapop. 1.6M
187 mi(324 min)
New Yorkpop. 8.3M
243 mi(421 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

PIT Pittsburgh84 mi
MDT Harrisburg101 mi
BUF Buffalo Niagara168 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA413 mi · ~11h 56m drive
New York, NY243 mi · ~7h 1m drive
Hartford, CT322 mi · ~9h 18m drive
Providence, RI387 mi · ~11h 11m drive
Albany, NY293 mi · ~8h 28m drive
Syracuse, NY217 mi · ~6h 16m drive
Rochester, NY191 mi · ~5h 31m drive
Buffalo, NY165 mi · ~4h 46m drive
Philadelphia, PA187 mi · ~5h 24m drive
Pittsburgh, PA71 mi · ~2h 3m drive
Harrisburg, PA94 mi · ~2h 43m drive
Newark, NJ235 mi · ~6h 47m drive
Trenton, NJ206 mi · ~5h 57m drive
Southern (moderate winters, warm summers)

Visit Planning

Deadline Calendar

Saint Francis University Application Checklist

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