Flash Facts, Rankings, and More

Our Franciscan Identity

A Mind for Excellence, A Spirit for Peace and Justice,  A Heart for Service

 The seeds of what has become Saint Francis University and our Franciscan identity were planted by six Franciscan friars from Ireland who founded a boys' academy in the mountain hamlet of Loretto, Pennsylvania. These guiding principles of the Franciscans are the values we embrace at Saint Francis University to this day. 

Explore our Mission, Values, and Goals of a Franciscan Education.

• Catholic coeducational private liberal arts university; one of the first Catholic co-ed colleges in the nation 
• sponsored by the Franciscans of the Third Order Regular under the presidential leadership of Fr. Malachi Van Tassell, Ph.D., T.O.R. 
  
  

Accreditation

• Accreditation Council of Occupational Therapy Education
• Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc.
• American Chemical Society, Certified Chemistry Degree
• Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
• Commission of Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Council on Social Work Education
• Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, Environmental Engineering
• International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education
• Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing
• Pennsylvania State Department of Education for approved programs in Teacher Education

Governing Structure

The University is sponsored by the Franciscans of the Third Order Regular and governed by a Board of Trustees comprised of both lay people and Franciscans. The University's President receives input from faculty, administrators, and students who participate in advancing the University's mission.

Degrees & Programs

• Undergraduate Degrees & Programs
• Graduate Degrees & Programs
  
• Online Degrees & Programs

Athletics

SFU is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and the University's 23 men's and women's sports teams compete at the Division I level. The University is also a member of the Northeast Conference. The University's nickname is the Red Flash.

• Men's Sports
• Women's Sports

Facilities

On the academic front our facilities includes academic buildings centered around both lecture and project/lab-based learning and a library and learning commons, and various student support offices. Campus life facilities includes on-campus residence halls and an off-campus transitional housing, a student union, athletics facilities, multiple dining areas, and student health services. The 600-acre campus is also home to The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art, Lake Saint Francis and Immergrün Golf Course. The nearby Mount Assisi Gardens, further enhance the setting. the nearby Mount Assisi Gardens.

Learn more about our Campus Facilities.

Tuition & Fees

The undergraduate and graduate education Saint Francis University provides is funded primarily from tuition, which is set annually. See current Tuition & Fees.