Colleges by Location
Colleges by Fields of Study
Colleges by Tuition Range
Colleges by GPA Range
College by SAT Range
Colleges by ACT Score
Graduate Schools by Location
Graduate Schools by Fields of Study
Graduate School by Degree Type
Paying for Graduate School
Online Graduate Programs
Test Preparation
Career Planning
College Planning
Graduate School Planning
Applying to Graduate School
- More
Joliet , IL
The University of St. Francis is a private, Catholic university located in Joliet, Illinois. Founded in 1920 by the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, the university has a rich history and maintains its commitment to Franciscan values, which include compassion, respect, and service to others. With over 60 undergraduate and graduate programs, the University of St. Francis offers a diverse range of academic disciplines to its students.
The university prides itself on its strong foundation in the liberal arts and sciences, emphasizing critical thinking, communication skills, and ethical decision-making. Students have the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning experiences through internships, research projects, and service-learning initiatives, fostering their personal growth and professional development. The faculty at the University of St. Francis consists of accomplished scholars who are dedicated to providing a supportive and transformative educational experience for their students.
Located in a suburban setting, the University of St. Francis offers a close-knit community atmosphere where students can thrive academically and socially. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities, including modern classrooms, laboratories, and a library, providing students with the resources they need for their academic pursuits. Additionally, the university offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, clubs, and organizations, allowing students to get involved, make lasting connections, and create a well-rounded college experience. Overall, the University of St. Francis is dedicated to providing a high-quality education rooted in the Catholic tradition and preparing students for successful and meaningful lives.
Located in Joliet, IL and set in a suburban environment, University of St. Francis is a private university. This school uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 65%. The freshman retention rate at University of St. Francis is 79% and the six-year graduation rate is 66%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is September 1. The transfer application deadline is September 1.
Read more about what University of St. Francis has to offer based on the most recent data this institution has reported.
Quick Facts
1,338
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$38,900
Tuition
5:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
66%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you learn as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will greatly improve. Discover some relevant facts about admission at University of St. Francis.
According to the most recent information reported, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 1,470 in 2025. University of St. Francis has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores for the candidates who choose to submit them. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
Out of the number of students who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 42% and ACT scores 4%. 14% of the freshmen submitted SAT composite scores between between 1,200 and 1,399, 41% between 1,000 and 1,199, 43% of the students between 800 and 999, and 2% of the students between 600 and 799. The percent of new students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 11, 33.5 between 24-29, 22 in the range between 18-23, and 33.5 between 12-17.
The average ACT score for all the enrolled students in 2025 was 18 while the average GPA was 3.56. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into University of St. Francis.
The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 508 and an average SAT Math score of 480.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by September 1. If you are applying for a transfer, the application deadline is September 1.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. When you create your list of possible schools to attend, don't forget to consider the freshmen retention rate.
The freshman retention rate for University of St. Francis was 79% in 2025, a reflection of the high standards and excellent educational experience at this school.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this school is 66%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is never easy to figure out which school is the best match for you. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by finding out more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at University of St. Francis in 2025 was 3,024.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 7% for that year. There was a total of 1,338 those pursuing undergraduate studies, including 42 international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 164.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 465 male and 850 female full-time students in 2025. 76 full-time graduate men and 219 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
The significance of student diversity cannnot be denied, when it comes to the overall feeling of inclusion and beloning among the students of any school. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
This school had 38 Asian students and 123 Afro-American students in 2025. 413 undergraduate students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 38 identified with more than one race. The school also had 1 student who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 1 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 11 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
One of the most crucial things to take into account when applying to any college or university is the financial component. Here are some data on the expenses that most students at this school have.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at University of St. Francis? Here is what you need to know.
In 2025, tuition amounted to $38,900 for all full-time domestic students. University of St. Francis is a private institution, so tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Full-time students in 2025 were required to pay additional fees in the amount of $1,414.5.
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to take into account the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. The estimated expense of books and supplies for a full-time student of this school is $800.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. How much do room and board fees average around at colleges and universities?
At University of St. Francis, the 2025 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $12,422.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 38,900 |
| Room and Board | $ 12,422 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 800 |
| Total Expense | $ 52,122 |
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all types of financial help available to students. Check out some recent data to get informed about need-based and non-need-based aid you might get at University of St. Francis.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 170 freshmen. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $34,430.
Need-based
Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.
There were 733 students who acquired need-based financial aid of any kind. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was estimated to be 748. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution reached $2,801,055, and state $3,461,967.
$11,330
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 121 students overall (including freshmen) at University of St. Francis in 2025. 14 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $1,285,207. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $433,765 USD.
Majors
Faculty
5:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at University of St. Francis was 5:1: that means 5 students per one teacher, which is considered an excellent ratio. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 280. Out of that number, there were 100 male and 180 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at University of St. Francis.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Check out some info about students' life at University of St. Francis.
Its campus is 22 acres in size.
Student Organizations
A student organization is run by students at a university or a college institution, whose membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
There are 32 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. This number includes sororities and fraternities. The percentage of male students who are members of organizations is 2 and female students 3. The student organization that gathers the largest number of students is Alpha Phi (Greek), followed by UVA and BSA. Other popular student organizations at this school are Student Activities Board and Rec Club.
Those interested in music can join the University of St. Francis band or chorus. You have a talent for media and communication? University of St. Francis publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At University of St. Francis, there are many amenities required for a pleasant and safe life on campus.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a 24-hour security patrol. The after-hours transportation/escort service is available.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of University of St. Francis.
All in all, campus life at University of St. Francis is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at University of St. Francis.
Career Counselling
At University of St. Francis, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a job bank and job fairs. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Having an understanding of the anticipated earnings after completing your education can be important in evaluating if a certain institution is compatible with your professional goals.
The starting salary for graduates employed within six months of graduating at this school averages 60,919 USD.
$60,919
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
-
University of St. Francis is located in Joliet, IL.
-
The overall full-time tuition per academic year for University of St. Francis is 38,900 USD, based on the most recent data.
-
This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
-
The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for University of St. Francis is 65%.
-
The most recent reported freshman retention rate for University of St. Francis is 79%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
Find the best schools for you.
Need help with choosing grad school? We got you.
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
