
The University of St. Francis Fighting Saints compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), with many teams participating in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference. Varsity offerings include sports such as basketball, soccer, volleyball, baseball, softball, cross-country, and track and field.
Varsity competition is distinct from club, intramural, or casual recreation: a sport appearing on a broad activities list is not necessarily a current varsity team. Prospective athletes should check the current team roster, conference schedule, recruiting process, and academic eligibility rules for their sport. Athletic participation or aid should not be assumed from admission to the university.
Students can get involved through student-led organizations, including academic and interest-based groups, student government, service activities, and faith-related opportunities. A club's presence in a directory does not necessarily mean it meets every term, so the current activities roster is more useful than an older list.
Student radio is another reported participation opportunity. For a commuter in particular, joining a group with a regular meeting time can offer a more predictable way to meet peers than relying on informal time between classes.
The University of St. Francis enrolled about 3,074 students in the reported institutional count. Its student body includes both undergraduate and graduate students; the reported entering groups included 209 first-time degree-seeking students and 172 transfer-in students.
Illinois residents account for most students in the reported geographic breakdown - about 91% - which is consistent with a university serving a substantial regional population. Enrollment figures from different surveys and years should not be combined as though they describe one identical group. The university's reported student-to-faculty ratio is 10 to 1, a campus-wide measure that does not establish the size of every class or clinical group.
Everyday student life at USF reflects its mix of commuters, residents, undergraduates, and students in professional programs. With most students commuting, the time between classes and the schedule of activities may matter as much as evening residential programming.
Campus ministry, service, student activities, and recreation offer ways to participate beyond coursework. New students should pay particular attention to orientation and advising information for their applicant category: a transfer student balancing work and classes may need different scheduling support from a first-year resident.
The Laverne and Dorothy Brown Library is the university's main library. Reported student amenities include reservable study rooms and study areas with extended, including 24-hour, access on specified days.
Library use is more than borrowing books. Students should check the current library schedule and access rules for research assistance, electronic journals and databases, and help obtaining materials needed for a particular assignment. Remote access can be especially useful to commuters and students taking online courses; hours for staffed help may differ from hours for study-space access.
Total enrollment
3074Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen
240Total staff
72 full time, 230 part timeVeterans affair office
NoVarsity teams compete against other colleges, intramural teams within the school. Each column says whether men, women or both take part, and whether the sport offers athletic scholarships (Aid).
Sport
Baseball
Basketball
Bowling
Cheerleading
Cross-country running
Football
Golf
Soccer
Softball
Tennis
Track and field
Volleyball
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.