University of St. Francis Admissions

ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate, Financial Aid & More

University of St. Francis
University of St. Francis. Smallbones / Wikimedia Commons
by Allen Grove
Dr. Allen Grove is an Alfred University English professor and a college admissions expert with 20 years of experience helping students transition to college.
Updated August 07, 2017

University of St. Francis Description:

The University of St. Francis is a private, Catholic university affiliated with the Order of Saint Francis. The 24-acre main campus is located 35 miles southwest of Chicago in downtown Joliet, Illinois, within the city’s Cathedral Areas Preservation District. USF also has two small branch campuses in other areas of Joliet and a larger satellite campus in Albuquerque, New Mexico that houses its physician assistant and nurse practitioner masters programs.

The university has a low student faculty ratio of 12 to 1. Among its four campuses, USF offers 43 undergraduate majors, with strong programs in biology, elementary education, health care administration and nursing. The graduate school offers 15 master’s degree programs in several disciplines of education, business, social work and health care. Outside of class, students are active in more than 50 clubs, organizations and honor societies. The USF Fighting Saints compete in the NAIA Division I Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference.

Admissions Data (2016):

Enrollment (2016):

  • Total Enrollment: 3,864 (1,620 undergraduates)
  • Gender Breakdown: 34% Male / 66% Female
  • 82% Full-time

Costs (2016 - 17):

  • Tuition and Fees: $30,840
  • Books: $800 (why so much?)
  • Room and Board: $9,084
  • Other Expenses: $3,000
  • Total Cost: $43,724

University of St. Francis Financial Aid (2015 - 16):

  • Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 100%
  • Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
    • Grants: 100%
    • Loans: 76%
  • Average Amount of Aid
    • Grants: $21,193
    • Loans: $6,601

Academic Programs:

  • Most Popular Majors: Biology, Elementary Education, Health Care Leadership (adult degree completion program), Mass Communication, Nursing, Organizational Leadership (adult degree completion program), Psychology

Retention and Graduation Rates:

  • First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 82%
  • 4-Year Graduation Rate: 44%
  • 6-Year Graduation Rate: 63%

Intercollegiate Athletic Programs:

  • Men's Sports: Track and Field, Baseball, Bowling, Basketball, Golf, Soccer, Tennis, Cross Country
  • Women's Sports: Softball, Volleyball, Track and Field, Soccer, Golf, Bowling, Basketball, Cross Country

Data Source:

National Center for Educational Statistics

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University of St. Francis Mission Statement:

mission statement from http://www.stfrancis.edu/about/#.UMaufHeQP84

"As a Catholic university rooted in the liberal arts, we are a welcoming community of learners challenged by Franciscan values and char-ism, engaged in a continuous pursuit of knowledge, faith, wisdom, and justice, and ever mindful of a tradition that emphasizes reverence for creation, compassion and peacemaking. We strive for academic excellence in all programs, preparing women and men to contribute to the world through service and leadership."