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
Engineering Careers
- 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 academic institution 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.
Here are some up-to-date information on important things to consider about University of St. Francis.
Quick Facts
1,338
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$38,900
Tuition
8:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
66%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission, you can make a better judgment about your eligibility and boost your chances of getting accepted. Check out some vital data about admission at University of St. Francis.
According to the newest data, 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 takes into consideration standardized test scores if the applicant decides to submit them. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
42% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 4% submitted ACT scores, out of the overall number of those who submitted test scores. 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 incoming freshmen 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 ACT composite average score for all the enrolled students in 2025 was 18 and 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 SAT Critical Reading average score was 508 for the accepted students, while the average SAT Math score was 480.
Deadlines
The last day for submitting applications to University of St. Francis is September 1. If you are applying for a transfer, note that the application deadline is September 1.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is the percentage of college or university freshmen who return for their sophomore year. That information can tell you if the majority of freshmen liked their first year enough to come back.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for University of St. Francis was 79%, a reflection of the high standards and excellent educational experience at this school.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It provides valuable insight into the percentage of students who complete their studies within a designated timeframe. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 66%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Making the decision of which school is the optimal match for you is not easy. You can better understand the culture and life of the school 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.
That year, the school had an out-of-state student body percentage of 7. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 1,338, 42 of which were international students. 164 students were admitted as transfer students.
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
In order to promote a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing student diversity. An inclusive student body brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 38, and the number of African American students was 123. 413 undergrads at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 38 as multirace. The school also had 1 student who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 1 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 11 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Financial planning for school is one of the most important things to think about before you apply. Here are some details you should know about the expenses at University of St. Francis that the majority of students face.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about University of St. Francis estimated tuition fees.
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. Fees per academic year required of full-time students totaled $1,414.5 in 2025.
Books and Supplies
The approximate cost of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into account as another important expense. The approximate 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. What do colleges and universities typically charge for accommodation and meals?
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. If you are interested in finding out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at University of St. Francis, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.
The most recent records show that 170 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average financial aid package awarded to students added up to $34,430.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
There were 733 students who got need-based financial aid of any kind. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was 748. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution came to $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. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
121 students, including freshmen, got institutional non-need-based financial aid at this school in 2025. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 14 full-time freshman. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants 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. $433,765 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
8:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at University of St. Francis was 8:1: that means 8 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. This school has recently reported to have 280 faculty members. This number included 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
It is not all about learning and grades at University of St. Francis: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Check out some details about campus life at University of St. Francis.
Its campus spans 22 acres.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership usually consists only of current students and/or alumni.
The number of student organizations and groups with open membership at this school is 32. 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 attracts the greatest 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.
If you are interested in music, you can join the University of St. Francis band or chorus. Interested in media and communication? University of St. Francis publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
University of St. Francis offers a number of services needed for a pleasant and secure life on campus.
There are phone and alarm devices that can be accessed 24/7 for emergency situations. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a security patrol available 24/7. Theer is a nighttime transportation/escort service.
There is 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
Finding out some information about the expected post-graduation salary can help you decide if a particular school suits your career objectives.
Within six months of graduation, this school's students can expect an average base annual starting salary of 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 reported acceptance rate for University of St. Francis is 65%.
-
According to the latest information, the 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.