Research.com
Saint Francis University logo

Saint Francis University

#673 in US ranking Loretto, PA
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

Represent this school?

Update this profile on Research.com

Cost

Cost / year
$61,203
Tuition & fees
$44,600
Avg. aid
$32,212
Receiving aid
100%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
77%
SAT range
1050–1230
ACT range
21–27

Outcomes

Graduation rate
74%
Median salary
$46,360
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of Saint Francis University?

Saint Francis University holds institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Institutional accreditation evaluates the university as a whole; it is different from accreditation of an individual degree program.

Accreditation is relevant to eligibility for federal student aid and can matter when applying to graduate school or seeking to transfer credit. It does not require another college to accept a particular course. Students entering a licensed field should also verify their specific program's current professional accreditation and whether it meets the licensing rules of the state where they intend to practice. Nursing, therapy, and other clinical pathways can have requirements that institutional accreditation alone does not address.

What are the admission requirements at Saint Francis University?

First-year applicants generally need an undergraduate application, a completed secondary-school education or equivalent credential, and a high school transcript. The university considers academic records and GPA; it does not operate an open-admission policy.

In the reported admissions requirements, class rank and completion of a college-preparatory program were neither required nor recommended. Recommendations, demonstrated competencies, and SAT or ACT scores were considered but not required. Applicants should distinguish that general policy from any additional requirements for a selective major or professional pathway. Students educated in a language other than English may also face an English-proficiency requirement, including TOEFL documentation.

The reported first-year admissions cycle included 2,623 applicants and 2,015 offers of admission, an acceptance rate of about 77%. That describes a past applicant pool, not an individual's likelihood of admission. Applicants should check the deadline and document checklist for their intended entry term and program before submitting.

What are the application fees and waivers at Saint Francis University?

Application charges can depend on the applicant category and application route. A first-year applicant should check the fee displayed in the university's current undergraduate application before submitting; graduate and professional programs may use different processes.

Applicants who need a fee waiver should ask admissions about eligibility and the required request process before paying or submitting an application. An application fee is separate from any enrollment deposit, orientation charge, tuition payment, or program-specific expense.

What types of ROTC programs are available at Saint Francis University?

Saint Francis University students can pursue Army ROTC through a cooperating host institution rather than an Army ROTC unit operated independently by Saint Francis on campus.

Because cross-enrollment can involve travel, course scheduling, and requirements at the host institution, interested students should confirm the current arrangement before building an academic schedule around ROTC. Participation and scholarship eligibility are separate questions: an ROTC scholarship generally has academic and military eligibility rules and can carry a service obligation. Applicants should obtain the applicable terms directly from the Army ROTC program before committing.

What are the requirements for transfer students at Saint Francis University?

Saint Francis University accepts transfer applicants and generally considers credit from other accredited institutions. Transfer entry is available for fall and spring terms, but admission and the award of credit are separate decisions.

Applicants should be prepared to submit official transcripts from every college attended and confirm whether their circumstances also require a high school record. The university reports accepting AP credit, CLEP examinations, and certain American Council on Education credit recommendations; the number of credits awarded and their application to a major depend on evaluation and program rules.

Before enrolling, a transfer applicant should request an official course-by-course evaluation showing which credits meet general education, major, elective, and residency requirements. That is especially important in sequential programs such as nursing, engineering, and education, where accepted elective credit may not shorten the time to graduation.

What types of study abroad programs are available at Saint Francis University?

Saint Francis University offers international study opportunities, including programming associated with Ambialet, France. The availability, duration, and academic focus of a particular option can change by term.

Students considering a semester or shorter faculty-led experience should establish how courses will satisfy their degree requirements before applying. They should also ask about program charges, travel costs, passports, insurance, and whether their institutional, federal, or state aid can be used. Clinical schedules and tightly sequenced majors may limit which term is practical for study abroad.

Saint Francis University Admissions Factors

SAT range
1050–1230
4001600
ACT range
21–27
136
Acceptance rate
77%

Acceptance rate vs. median

This school
77%
Pennsylvania
81%
US
78%

20% of admitted students enrolled (394 of 2,015)

ACT scores of enrolled students

ACT in range 12-17
ACT in range 18-23
ACT in range 24-29
ACT in range 30-36

Saint Francis University Admissions

Applicants
Total: 2,623
Admission
Total: 2,015
Enrolled
Total: 394
Women
Men

How to Apply to Saint Francis University

Regular application deadline

August 1

Early Decision

No

Early Action

No

Saint Francis University First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 279
Out-of-state: 100

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 403
Transfer: 55

Saint Francis University Admission Requirements

Percent of students submitting ACT scores

9%

Percent of students submitting SAT scores

38%

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Computer required

Yes

Computer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution

Yes

Secondary school GPA

Required

Secondary school rank

Neither required nor recommended

Secondary school record

Required

Completion of college-preparatory program

Neither required nor recommended

Recommendations

Considered but not required

Formal demonstration of competencies

Considered but not required

Admission test scores

Considered but not required

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

Required

Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Neither required nor recommended

Open admission policy

No

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

No

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

Orientation program

Yes

Disabilities services

Yes

Off-campus study

Yes

ROTC-Army

ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institution

Study abroad

Yes

Weekend/evening college

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

Yes

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

Yes

Saint Francis University Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Spring

Data last updated on November 2, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

Recently Published Articles